In our view the best beaches in Nicaragua are:
La Flor
About 20km from San Juan del Sur. It's a beautiful beach but the turtles that arrive in their thousands between July and January are the main attraction!
Las Penitas
Las Penitas is situated less than 20 km from Leon. A fishing village on a wide Pacific beach with great sunsets, plenty of budget hotels on the beach and of course great seafood!
The Corn Islands
Picnic Center Beach on Big Corn is the most popular swimming beach, a long, golden crescent of soft sand and turquoise water. Long Beach, just as pretty, but a bit rougher and with fewer bars/restaurants. On Little Corn the beach in front of Peace and Love is a gem. The North of the island can get very windy!
Los Cardones
Close to Pochomil but a nicer and cleaner beach. Beach break is perfect for surfing novices.
Masachapa
Fishing village with wide sandy beach.
Montelimar
Montelimar Beach is the closest beach to Managua. It consists of 3km of near white sandy beaches and the premier all inclusive Barceló resort that was formerly dictator Samoza's beach house.
Ometepe
The lake is so big it has beaches. Best are the long, sandy Punta Jesus Maria and the usually deserted- apart from the howler monkeys- Charco Verde both close to the town of Moyogalpa.
Playa Gigante
A beautiful crescent beach well off the beaten track-get a bus from Tola or Rivas - with a few beach shacks serving the days catch.
Playa Jiquilillo
A day trip from Leon is one of the most beautiful beaches in Nicaragua. Apart from Semana Santa and high season there's a good chance you'll have the beach all to yourself!
San Juan Del Sur
San Juan del Sur beach is located about 130 km South East of Managua near the border with Costa Rica. By far the most popular beach in Nicaragua, which can be good or bad. But if it's good enough for Matthew McConaughey to party then its good enough for you!
