Maderas vs Remanso
Nicaragua
Surf in San Juan del Sur - Comparing Playa Maderas and Playa Remanso
Choosing Your Classroom
San Juan del Sur is one of the world's most accessible and affordable places to learn how to surf. The consistent swell of the Pacific, coupled with a dense concentration of highly qualified instructors, makes the learning curve steep and rewarding. However, your success hinges on one critical choice: which beach to start on.
The two main contenders are Playa Maderas and Playa Remanso. While geographically close, they offer fundamentally different learning environments.
1. Playa Remanso: The Absolute Beginner’s Bay
Playa Remanso is widely regarded as the ultimate nursery for surfing in Southern Nicaragua. Its small, intimate bay is shaped perfectly to soften the Pacific's power.
Why Remanso is Ideal
Small, Gentle Waves: The geography of the bay acts as a shield, slowing down and shrinking the incoming waves. They tend to be slow, foamy, and "mushy."
Safety and Confidence: The soft nature of the waves means fewer spectacular wipeouts and less risk of being tumbled, which is crucial for building initial confidence and mastering the pop-up technique.
Low Crowds: It generally draws fewer advanced surfers, meaning less pressure and a lower chance of accidentally paddling into someone else's path.
Remanso's Drawback
Limited Progression: Once you've mastered the foam and can consistently stand up, the waves at Remanso may feel too slow, limiting your ability to practice turning or maintaining speed. You will quickly need to move on to Maderas.
Tide Dependent: When the tide is very low (Ebb), the water becomes extremely shallow, making it difficult to ride without scraping your fins—or yourself—on the sandy bottom. Mid-tide is perfect here.
2. Playa Maderas: The Progression Playground
Playa Maderas is where the real surfing begins. While Remanso teaches you how to stand, Maderas teaches you how to surf.
Why Maderas is Best for Progression
Consistent A-Frame Break: Maderas features a reef and rock break that forms predictable A-frame waves (breaking both left and right). These waves are faster and more defined than Remanso's.
Reading the Wave: Here, you learn to read the wave—the ability to identify the best section to catch and the direction to ride. This is the first step toward advanced surfing.
Infrastructure: The beach has many more established surf shops, instructors, and board rental options. It's easy to spend the whole day here.
Maderas's Challenge
Faster and Steeper: The waves break faster and steeper, leading to more spectacular (and sometimes frustrating) wipeouts.
Crowds and Etiquette: Due to its popularity, Maderas can be crowded. Beginners must quickly learn surf etiquette—paddling wide to avoid cutting off riders, and respecting the "right of way."
