Nicaragua Surf Camp: Surf & Stay in Popoyo

I am so glad I decided to choose Magnific Rock for my stay in the area.- On arrival at the hotel, it makes an immediate impact, as the views of the surrounding beaches and surf breaks from the peninsula location are absolutely stunning.- The team are really friendly and helpful - Lisa, Ronnie and all, are great at making you feel welcome and accommodating your needs - I ended up extending my stay 3 times.- My apartment room had the most incredible view over the bay, where you could sit and watch the surf all hours of the day, ending with amazing sunsets. Added to that, it is a short walk from the hotel to the Beginner's Bay, with the other more advanced breaks of the main Popoyo break in walking distance too.- Brian, the Surf Director was awesome. I am an infrequent middle aged surfer, and he was really good at helping to build up confidence, improve my skills, and push me to progress my capabilities - I caught more waves in my sessions with him, than ever before. Great attitude, relaxed approach, and a nice guy - and would highly recommend scheduling sessions with him.I will definitely be back - best spot in Nicaragua 😉

We had an amazing vacation staying at Magnific Rock. All the staff were exceptional and so accommodating. Our balcony had breath taking views and we did not have a want that was not accommodated. Between the surfing, yoga, and exploring we had the best vacation! We are looking forward to planning our next trip to Magnific Rock.

Had an amazing experience at Mag Rock. Staff was incredibly attentive to all our needs. Brian and Jess took me to score some amazing waves, provided coaching and photos. I usually go to new surf spots blind but having them along was a cheat code as they told me when, and where to score waves in the area.The food was excellent and when we asked about going to Granada, the GM Martin took us personally and guided us around the the city. We fell in the love with the place and will definitely be back soon.

Magnific Rock, near Popoyo was a perfect choice for an all inclusive surf retreat! The surfing and coaching couldn’t have been better, Brian and Jess took great care of us. Our room had a balcony overlooking the ocean and popular surf spot, Beginners Bay. The beds were comfortable, the air conditioning and the shower worked great. We enjoyed the yoga classes very much and the sunset views were stunning!

Best surf camp in Nicaragua. I booked the All inclusive surf package and was amazed. Deffinatly will come again.I hear they do Nicaragua destination weddings.And yoga retreats aswell

I came to Magnific Rock on a solo surf trip with no expectations and had the best time! Brian and Jess were my surf guides and made my trip! We adventured to some fun surf spots and they encouraged me through some large swells. My stay was relaxing and the food memorable. Also learned a fun new pool game. My getaway was 5 stars for sure!

1st trip to Nicaragua and after doing my own research, I picked Magnific Rock due to its location and amenities. I also booked a surf package that gave me 2 awesome guides (Brian and Jess) and they put me on the best surf and were there to answer any questions and show me around! They made my stay/trip well worth it and I will use them again when I return!

Spent a wonderful week surfing in Popoyo with the Mag Rock team. Brian and Jess took such good care of us - finding great waves, offering specific and targeted coaching, and being great hosts!Our group (5 women) had a wide range of skills and I was a bit nervous that I would hold back the rest of the group (still working on my pop-ups…). However Brian managed to push me into waves while they both offered tips to my more advanced friends on their timing and technique. Combined with really helpful video analysis, we all made significant gains - despite our varied starting points!We had two sessions a day for six days across a variety of breaks. Some steps from the hotel (Beginner’s Bay and both sides of Mag Rock itself), some a short truck ride away (including two amazing sunset sessions at Gavilán), and two boat trips. We appreciated the variety and learned a lot by exploring a range of different waves.The Mag Rock surf package included hotel (due to holiday availability we spent the first couple of nights at a sister hotel La Jolla before moving to the Penthouse at Mag Rock), and three meals a day. The staff at both sites were very accommodating and welcoming - shuttling us around and making sure we had a chance to explore the area!All in all a great trip. I’ll be sure to look up the Mag Rock team next time I’m in Nicaragua!

Fantastic week long Nicaragua surf trip at Magnific Rock in Popoyo, thanks to our amazing hosts & guides, Brian and Jess!One thing that really elevated the experience was the complimentary video call with us beforehand to discuss what we were looking for out of the trip. That was an unexpected but nice touch.We were blessed with amazing waves and perfect weather, and our guides went above and beyond to anticipate our needs and accommodate all of our requests. The location is perfect for beginner to intermediate surfers (literally in front of Beginner's Bay), and they drove us to other really fun, more advanced spots and took us on two boat trips.We had a few issues with facility / maintenance, but the staff was attentive and Brian & Jess were great advocates for us throughout our stay.We all caught so many waves, received video analysis, and were given pointers on how to improve. Highly recommend for all levels–these guys really listen to what you want and will show you the best time! We also had a great experience with Taylor and Tomas at La Jolla, a sister property close by.I'm usually the group trip planner, and I have to say, putting everything in Jess & Brian's hands made for the most relaxing and action-packed vacation ever! Muchas gracias!!

The location can’t be beat and the surf package was an awesome experience. They really went above and beyond too make it a great trip

a rough go....The good:the staff was very nice, front desk, restaurant and bar staff all friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean with decent furniture and the ac worked well. There is a decent quiver of surf boards, several decent longboards in the mix which was nice for beginners bay. The short board selection was average, but the boards were in decent shape. You can probably find a board that works for you but not something you are excited to try. The location is a positive and a negative, you are up on a cliff above beginners bay, with a great view of the ocean and rock. To get to popoyo surf break you have to walk about a mile on the beach, or drive 10 minutes. Other restaurants, stores and beach bars are 15 minute drive or long walk 20 mins or more. There is a river that separates the hotel from the other areas at the beach so you have to drive back inland then back out to the ocean.The food was average and without a vehicle there would not be many other choices.The main building/bar/restaurant needs some real work. It is a neat building but it is showing its age badly, there is visible termite damage throughout. The ceiling and windows leak when it rains, the bar area reminds me of a frat house basement party room. The pool and area surrounding was not an inviting place to hang out. The room had multiple small things wrong; the safe was missing, the door had to be pulled just right to lock it, the screen door on the porch was shredded, the glass in the sliding door to the porch was cracked, the water pressure is poor (but gets very hot which was nice). The toilet float would get stuck up all the time, so you would have to lift the back off the toilet and tap it so the water would fill the tank and you could flush. Not that big of a deal but a hassle, we could probably have spoken to the staff about it, but with our limited spanish we decided it wasn't worth the effort. The bed was average, however it only comes with sheets not a light blanket or anything else. I guess trying to encourage light use of the ac. Beginners bay, the wave is great for beginners and longboard cruisers, however it is the dirtiest water I have ever seen, the rock formation stops and traps all the wood and leaves and whatnot. At times the shore break is 10 meters of black sticks and small logs. There are spots you can get in and out to avoid this but the water stays brown with black patches here and there. We were there in late Sept during the wet season. The entire area was fairly empty, maybe when there are more people around and less rain some of this improves. All in all we felt that 120 USD per night was a bit much for what you get. Also would we recommend having a vehicle or you will be pretty isolated, if you go during the wet season strongly recommend 4x4 the roads were straight mud in much of the area.

Choosing to visit and stay at the Magnific Rock surf camp in Nicaragua is one of the decisions I’ve made!! I booked the all inclusive surf package which included room, board, non stop good food, daily surfing, adventures, boat rides and boat fishing to name a few. Honestly though, the best part has been the staff who have gone out of their way both in coaching me in the waves and out of the water. I would recommend Nicaragua and the surf camp here at Mag Rock to anyone looking to catch waves, sun rays and good vibes. I will definitely be back!

I was hesitant in writing a review about Magnific Rock, due to pure selfishness. We had such a special experience that we wanted to hide it, like buried treasure. We had no expectations going in, and had friends for life coming out. The surfing was as good as it gets. The staff, the community, even the dogs will remain forever in our hearts. Billy and Jared are rock stars - accomplished and professional, yet humble and always stoked - the true embodiment of surfing.

I had the most amazing stay and experience at mag rock. Our room was clean, cool, and comfy and right outside we had an amazing view of the beach and sunset. Billy was an unbelievable guide who arranged everything, including boat trips to incredible surf spots and amazing food experiences. He also told stories and educated me on the history of land which was an awesome part of my experience. I would definitely recommend that everyone who is visiting Nicaragua stay at mag rock!

Billy and the team at Magnific Rock were incredible. We booked the all inclusive surf package and it was everything we hoped for and more. The hotel has a great selection of boards to choose from including epoxy long and short boards as well as fiberglass performance boards depending on your skill level. The waves were consistently great and our surf guide Dylan checked the weather and waves with us every morning to make sure we surfed the best breaks! The rooms were great and had a view of the surf break right from our porch, the food was incredible and they had amazing vegetarian options. One of the days we took a boat trip to an awesome wave that is only accessible via boat, followed by a truly authentic Nicaraguan meal at one their local friends homes.If you are considering a surf trip to Nicaragua and want relax and let someone tell you when and where to surf to have a great experience, this is the place.

I highly recommend Magnific Rock Surf Resort and its All Inclusive Surf Package! I had never surfed before. With all the coaching from my surf instructor Dylan and the Mag Rock Surf Coordinator Billy, I gained the confidence to return home, buy a board, and keep improving my surfing. After only 4 sessions over 4 days (I opted for a single longer surf session each day rather than 2 surf sessions each day), I was able to pop-up, and I caught a few of the waves with only verbal coaching from Dylan. Billy’s video taping session was hugely useful! The video let us see what I need to work on next. My time at Mag Rock definitely got my psyched to buy my own surfboard and continue improving back at home. Dylan was a great coach both on land and in the water! Besides pop-ups, he taught me a huge amount about the water and handling a surfboard, including how to: safely enter the water and get out to the line-up; enter a line-up; read the water to see waves and sets forming; strap a board onto the roof of a car; and all sorts of other great info. Dylan’s guidance continued over lunch each day along with sharing life stories. Dylan and Billy were great to hang out with. Billy was always available to answer questions and work with me before I arrived, during my time at Mag Rock, and afterwards. The studio room I had was comfortable and worked perfectly. The food in the restaurant was fresh and delicious. And, I appreciated the airport pick-up. The Mag Rock Surf Resort All Inclusive Surf Package is great!

I just completed a 5-day surf camp at Magnific Rock. Billy, the surf coordinator, was responsive and very helpful throughout both the booking process and my stay. Before my trip, I had only taken a couple of surf lessons, so the hotel's location right next to Beginner's Bay was perfect for me as a beginner surfer. As a first-time solo traveler, I felt comfortable and welcomed. The room was clean and air-conditioned, and all the staff were very friendly. In addition to surfing, the hotel offered fun classes like aerial yoga. The view from the hotel, especially during sunset, was just amazing. I left the surf camp feeling much more confident in the water. The surf lessons were excellent because I had my own instructor, and the lessons were tailored to my own level and pace. I can't wait to go back!

I can't say enough about the staff and hospitality we experienced here. The four of us stayed for a few days, travelled around Nicaragua and then headed back because we decided this place was too good not to go back.Billy and Jered were absolutely amazing! They literally went above and beyond to make sure we had the best time. I am not kidding when I say the boat trip was probably one of the best travelling experiences of my life. Our group had all different levels of surfing abilities and Jared was the perfect couch for the beginners to the more advanced, either telling you were to sit and how the wave breaks or will be right by your side (the man also has some crazy stories, you'll learn a thing or two about the area!)Then after the surf we jumped back in the boat and went fishing. You can tell Billy genuinely loves what he does and it just makes the experience so much better, he's also a plethora of knowledge so you really know you're in good hands. We caught some fish including some white tuna (which I hear is quite rare!) and then the chef prepared it that night, definitely a check off my bucket list!!The staff there are also just the most wholesome, some are still learning English so it's an excellent opportunity to brush up on your Spanish! They were very helpful and always smiling, excellent vibes.We were recommended by friends up here in Canada to head down there and now I'm recommending this place to everyone else!

Absolutely amazing! Check the waves from your balcony, surf your brains out with breaks all over, cool off in the AC, get in the pool or play pool, and enjoy a cold crisp Tona and top notch meal to round it off. The local staff, amazing. Billy, the surf coordinator, amazing. Jared, the surf guide, amazing. The food, amazing. The view and location, amazing. Mag Rock made everything about our trip straightforward, convenient, and an absolute blast. Not to mention boat trips, fishing, yoga, horses, and more. 100% would go again.

Our group of 4 stayed here with the surf package and it didn't disappoint! Billy and Jared's love for the area and surf spots was incredible and definitely rubbed off on us. We liked it so much that after visiting Ometepe and Granada we decided to head back to Mag Rock to close out our Nicaragua trip. We couldn't get enough of the views, sunsets and waves.Excellent value for money especially if you want a stress free vacation. The food at Magnific Rock was 10/10 and so were the staff. The views were incredible and you can watch all the happenings in beginners bay from there.The highlight of the trip for me was the boat trip. We headed out to Lance's Left and caught some waves in the morning. Jared was making sure we were all catching waves and Billy was down the line with a camera getting some great footage of us. Afterwards we headed out to the open ocean for some fishing. It's always a good sign when you're guide loves what they do and Billy clearly loves fishing. We wrestled a few tunas into the boat and brought them back for the chef's at Mag Rock to slice up for dinner. An absolutely perfect day.Overall I'd highly recommend Magnific Rock, our group had a mix of surfing abilities and the crew there made sure everyone got the most out of their experience.

Enjoyed an incredible week at Magnific Rock! Billy, Poloma and Dylan were amazing surf guides and coaches. They took us out to several different breaks and offered great coaching and support. Marco was always kind and helpful in the restaurant. The room we had was not great but if you get a newer room they are certainly much nicer and more comfortable. When our AC stopped working, there was someone onsite who fixed it right away. You can’t beat this location!

I spent a week at Mag Rock and it was an incredible week. Everything about this week was perfect. I did the week long surf program and it was exactly what I wanted. First the property is gorgeous. It’s about a 2 hours drive from the airport which is fun because you get to drive through Nicaragua and see the culture. When you get there it’s like you have arrived in paradise. It’s on top of a cliff that overlooks the ocean. It’s breathtaking! I stayed in a suite that was awesome. The balcony was the best part. I would sit out there in between surf sessions and enjoy the view and would enjoy sunrises and sunsets out there. The food was delicious. Smoothies were great before hitting the water.The best part was the surfing and people. I met some awesome people that I was able to surf with all week. But the best was my two surf guides Billy and Dylan. They were so patient and comprehensive on teaching us how to be good surfers. I’ve taken surf lessons all over before and people just want you to stand up. They taught us about surf etiquette and how to read waves and techniques. I had a million questions and they answered all of them. If you’re thinking of coming here DO IT! You won’t regret it. I know I’ll be back!

Since there is no category that seems fitting, we want to give a special shout out to our surf instructor: Jared, the man, they myth, the legend:🌊Jared knows his surf spots in and out. He knows every wave and rock and we were catching twice as many waves as anyone else. We almost felt sorry for them 😉 (No we didn't)🏄‍♀️Jared never ever runs out of energy: if you don't end your surf ses yourself, it will be the sunset or no one.🌊In between waves it never gets boring. Fortunately, Jared has lived through 12+ different lives or so and always has a fun story to tell.🏄‍♂️When you're w/ Jared, there's no chance of going incognito. Literally EVERYONE knows him and wants to call him their friend🌊Jared helped and pushed (yep, he never leaves w/o giving you a lil homework assignment) us to take our surfing skills to the next level. From day one, we went from riding white water waves to catching and surfing green waves only. Not to mention our improvement on timing, pop-ups, stance or reading the ocean itself. Surfing never felt so easy breezy :)🏄‍♂️Watching Jared teach, you know what”finding your purpose“ really is about. Every wave we caught, his smile got bigger and wider as if it was him catching the waves himself. That's what real support feels like🌊The surf package comes w/ an epic boat day experience, video analysis and so much more you'll be dreaming of for a long time🏄‍♀️Also the waves in Popoyo are incredible and one of the most consistent we've ever surfed (next to the ones in Bali, Muizenberg - Cape Town, Portugal..)We usually don't write reviews, but since Jared is THE best teacher we ever had, we would have felt like fools if we didn't.Thanks a million for all the fun and good times.We hope to be back soon.🤙🏻

The Hotel has mesmerizing views with awesome waves for those who likes surfing!! The apartments has incredible views directly to the sea! I also love that they are pet friendly.Nonetheless, not everything is perfect. The water pressure in the rooms is low, and the worst part is the food service. They take ages to bring the food and beverages, and when it finally arrives, it's cold!

I had an amazing time at Magnific Rock. Billy, the surf instructor was super cool and knowledgeable when it came to riding waves. The rest of the staff and experiences were above and beyond. The sunsets and epic coast lines make it a hard place to leave. I can’t wait to get back out there.

An absolutely must go location. I honestly can’t fault this place and the people that work and run it!Billy and Brian, the two surf guides were unreal and helped me develop my skills so easily.It’s hard not to write a cheesy and corny review where I say everything was great but it’s true. This surf camp and it’s location is spot on.By far my favourite place in all of Nicaragua.

I had the most amazing time during my stay at magnific rock. Everyone was so incredibly welcoming and attentive. Massimo greeted us and made sure that we had everything we needed at all time. Food was amazing and we were graciously attended by all staff, they were accommodating for my vegetarian diet. I thoroughly enjoyed the yoga classes daily and took an amazing Aerial class with Ella. My friend and I also took surf lessons with Billy who was an excellent teacher and had us catching many waves in the beautiful beach in Popoyo. The view was perfect, everyone at the resort was incredible and I can not wait to come back!

What a magnificent experience! I will never forget our beautiful time here at Magnific Rock. My girlfriend and I booked 4 nights and five days under the yoga package and added surf sessions on top. Best decision ever. We ate like princesses and had a spectacular view of Popoyo from our “Apartamento” accommodation. The food and drinks were incredible. Massimo, the manager, emphasized a family-style experience and we felt so at home even though we were traveling from California. I highly recommend Magnific Rock to first-timers to Nicaragua as we had an experience to be remembered for a lifetime. Ask for Billy for surf lessons and Ella for yoga! They made our trip so much fun. I definitely will be coming back.

We booked in at another place and it was very very unacceptable , so we ended up leaving and Jackson and his excellent manager Alex put us and our party up for the night . One of a kind sunset and morning surfing , paradise ! Thanks

Is in the perfect spot for learning to surf and would highly recommend the surf package to really immerse your self into the learning experience. The staff are all super friendly and they have good knowledgeable surf instructors which will get you from 0 to hero in no time.I fully enjoyed my stay of 3 weeks here and will definitely be coming back.

Beautiful view, a two minute walk down to a great surfing spot, friendly and welcoming staff. All you could wish for in a coastal holiday!

Staff is very friendly. Food and cocktails taste excellent. View is incredible! Easy access to beach for surfing.However, dorm rooms get very hot. The bathrooms in them are not the highest quality or modern...and there are only 2 lockers per 4 people to share....Additionally, noise travels easily into the dorm rooms from the parking lot / road....including dogs barking etc....Some of that can't necessarily be helped. But if there are any ways to add sound proofing then I think that would be a big help.All in all, wonderful experience.

Location is the only good thing l. Rooms are very uncomfortable and get extremely hot. Stuff is very rude and not helpful. I was staying there couple of nights and always rented a surfboard. On the last day they did not let me rent the board for the whole day but only in the morning with an argumentation I am no longer guest as I checked out already. There were plenty of board available and I offered to leave deposit in cash, even though they had my data anyway. But the manager just refused it and said I ca no longer use it

Had a great stay at Mag Rock for 9 days with some friends from Florida. The waves were exceptional, and the staff were great hosts. They have great all inclusive deals for the surf camp that makes your vacation a breeze, so you can focus on the important parts: surfing!

This place was absolutely AWESOME! Great views and excellent food! All of the staff are extremely helpful and nice! Sick beachy surf vibes - and the waves absolute fire a few steps away - this is the place! 😎. Definitely coming back!