If you’ve been kept up late at night dreaming of crystal clear Caribbean waters or catching the perfect Pacific Coast wave, jump on a flight to Nicaragua.
Straddling two coasts, Nicaragua offers a beguiling choice: barefoot days on the Caribbean side, or Pacific shores with top-notch surf and wild stretches of sand. Add in a scattering of private islets on Lake Nicaragua and you have one of Central America’s most underrated beach escapes.
Here, our specialists share three of their favourite places to stretch out on the sand, from a tiny Caribbean island to a Pacific surf lodge and an island hideaway that feels a world away.
Yemaya, Little Corn Island
Plan South America’s favourite Nicaraguan island escape is Yemaya, a 16-room boutique eco-lodge nestled on the shores of Little Corn Island. Inhabited by a mere 800 people, visitors to this little Caribbean hideaway are few and far between, with pristine sands that make for a intimate, restorative escape.
Each day here feels incredibly well-spent. Replete with kayaks, paddle boards and snorkelling gear, the lodge also puts on boat rides, spa treatments and daily yoga sessions. Meals are a delight, best rounded off with a cocktail or two at the hotel’s beach bar. (Ask for the drink named after the hotel’s spicy Italian manager, Frederico – you won’t be disappointed!)
Getting here takes effort – a flight from Managua to Big Corn, then an hour-long boat across open water. But that journey is exactly what keeps Little Corn so blissfully quiet, and we promise it’s worth the travel time.
Morgan’s Rock, Emerald Coast
If you would rather spend time surfing than snorkelling with nurse sharks, heading to the Pacific is your best bet. Along the Emerald Coast, several excellent lodges line the shore, each with private beaches allowing you the perfect opportunity to relax and catch some waves.
Our very favourite is Morgan’s Rock, the most secluded and luxurious of the Emerald Coast options. The water here is slightly cooler than the Caribbean, but still warm, and the waves are far better, making it a great destination for those after a more active holiday.
Unlike the Corn Islands, Morgan’s Rock is easily reached: it’s just a three-hour drive from Managua, making it a breeze to combine Pacific adventure with inland exploration.
Jicaro Island Lodge, Lake Nicaragua
Not technically coastal, but undeniably beach-worthy, Jicaro is a private islet just off the shores of Granada in Lake Nicaragua. A collection of wooden casitas tucked among trees looks out over dark volcanic waters, each with a deck strung with hammocks and ladders that dip straight into the lake.
Guests can kayak between islets, sail at sunset, or head into Granada for colonial architecture and markets. It’s the sort of place where you feel a million miles from anywhere while being only a short boat ride from town. The lodge runs on strong sustainability principles, so it appeals to travellers who like their barefoot downtime paired with purpose.
Stay a little longer…
Combine a few days on a Nicaraguan beach with some time in the colonial city of Granada, a day trip to the Masaya Volcano, or even a few nights across the border in Costa Rica, and you’ll have a recipe for success. Plan South America is here to make sure you do it just right.
We specialise in journeys that go beyond the obvious, working with trusted local partners and protecting the landscapes that make travel here so remarkable. Each one of our luxury Nicaragua trips is tailor-made from the ground up, designed around your individual preferences, passions and pace.
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