Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8am-8pm)
Rancho Marsella serves simple meals and cool drinks beach-
(dishes US$3-5;
front.
Playa Maderas
A good-time-vibes backpacker and surfer hangout, this stunning beach, with rocky ex-
panses that offer excellent tide pooling and wide, wonderful sandy stretches for sun-
bathing, is famed for having one of the best beach breaks in the country. Yes, you should
expect some crowds.
Activities
Sometimes called Los Playones, it's a slow wave in fairly deep (2m) water, good for be-
ginners, with two right and two left breaks that get hollow on a rising tide.
If the swell is really big on a low to medium tide, there's a faster, intermediate-level
reef break between Madera and Majagual called Panga Drops, accessible by boat only,
that offers an awesome ride before dumping you onto the rocky shallows. It gets choppy
and you can be caught in the shore break, so watch the wind. Waves get big - as do
crowds, and it doesn't hold a crowd well.
Many surf shops and hostels in San Juan del Sur offer shuttles here.
Rebelde Surf Schools
(200m inland from beach)
Rents surfboards (per day US$10) and gives instruction.
SURFING
Sleeping & Eating
Casa Maderas Ecolodge
( 8786-4897;
www.casamaderas.com
; dm/d/tr/q/ste US$13.50/39/49/60/69; )
This
place, about 800m before you hit the beach, is worth a look. Set on 3 hectares of lush
jungle and terraced permaculture, it does rustic-modern to perfection. Six-bed dorms are
spacious, with double beds, mossie nets and stylish bathrooms. The cabin-style private
huts on the hillside are some of the best in town.
There's also a shared kitchen, yoga classes and free beach shuttle.
LODGE
$
Hotel 3 Hermanos
HOSTEL
$
