Duration
2+ nights
Accommodation
Private beds, rooms & studios

Offshore winds and year round waves

"Perched on a 30-meter cliff face, Magnific Rock offers guests an unparalleled experience with a variety of accommodation options, a beautiful restaurant and bar, yoga, surf activities, and the best views. With us, you will have the best possible service and amenities in a personal and fun environment."

The surf

Peak swell
Variable swell
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Nicaragua enjoys 300 plus days of offshore winds a year, ideal tropical climate and deep-water swells create the perfect conditions for year-round surfing. There are two main seasons, wet (May to November) and dry (December to April) with occasional tropical showers throughout the year.

The most consistent and largest water swells hit the coast from March through November. Waves come in fast, averaging from shoulder to overhead on fun surf spots but often reach double overhead or higher at more adventurous breaks. October is an off-season month due to strong onshore winds and frequent heavy rains although the weather gets more fair towards the tail end.

November still sees heavy winds and strong swells, for those who like to brave the elements this is the least crowded time in Nicaragua as the weather becomes cooler. December to February have stronger offshore winds that create waist to shoulder high surf, the water is also cooler at this time. Exhaustion and dehydration can be your biggest enemies here, so make sure you drink lots of water. Mosquitoes are not a problem in the dry season, but be aware of scorpions and other assorted critters.

Magnific Rock Surf Camp

If you are dreaming of coming to Nicaragua to learn to surf or to focus on progressing your skills with a surf camp, Magnific Rock is the place for you. By staying with us, you are directly in front of Beginner’s Bay the best wave to learn how to surf in Nicaragua. For the more experienced surfers, we are close to some lesser-known surf breaks, coined Magnific Left and Magnific Right.

These breaks catch some epic waves: from the long left-hand breaks for long-boarders and beginners, and right-hand breaks facing occasional barrels for the more experienced surfers. We're centrally located to all of Popoyo's best surf breaks - the Outer Reef (world-class heavy, heaving wall not for the faint-hearted), to Santana's surf spot (fast, hollow beach break which catches most swells), among others.

The lodge

Our resort offers accommodation suitable for a perfect getaway with all-inclusive surf vacation packages, honeymoon escapes, as well as thriftier options including self-contained apartments and backpackers cabins solo travelers. We offer guests the best possible service and amenities that would be expected from any luxurious beach resort, while still maintaining a fun and personal vibe.

Food

During your stay with us, you will have access to a fully serviced onsite restaurant and bar with live music, DJs, and the latest sports events broadcasting. Our open-air cedar finished restaurant overlooks the Pacific Ocean from every window. The bar staff can shake up a range of delicious cocktails, or if sipping a beer during sunset is more your choice, a wide range of beers are always available.

Our menu is filled with the simplicity of food in a pleasant panoramic and a home-style setting. Every healthy detail in the kitchen has been taken care of. Using the freshest ingredients, from Grade A Nicaraguan Beef, seafood caught 5 miles away, and our crisp vegetables delivered daily from nearby farms. We are famous for our Nica Seafood Weekends in which we offer platters of the freshest seafood Nicaragua has to offer.

And, as nobody knows what to do with fresh Nicaraguan ingredients better than the locals, we are proud to employ some of the most talented chefs from our village of Las Salinas. Our head chef Michael and his staff, all trained by Australian gourmet chef Scott Johnston, put a unique twist on all of our dishes and you will be amazed to try it!

Activities

During your stay, you can enjoy days relaxing by our swimming pool, doing one of our yoga classes, taking a surfing lesson, or walk to some of the most world-famous surf breaks in Central America.

Our yoga studio is the perfect place to come and unwind, where you can nurture your sparkle, radiance and get into a relaxed state of mind. With great teachers, and a range of class options, we need to be honest with you - practice yoga here is a must. Whether you're joining us for a one-on-one private session, a small group class, a yoga retreat, or a fun acro-yoga session, it is our goal that you finish feeling your very best.

Surfing is what you do in Popoyo! With some of the most perfect, uncrowded, and diverse surf breaks in Nicaragua, Popoyo has your surfing needs covered no matter what level you're at. We are located in front of the best "learn to surf" surf break in Nicaragua - a very long, easy and friendly wave, literally known as the "beginner's bay".

Not a beginner? We've got you covered! We're centrally located to all of Popoyo's best surf breaks and from here, you can get to the outer reef, not for the faint-hearted breaks, or just some perfect tubes to ride and have some fun.

Forgot something? We have a store with the most authentic Nicaraguan products and a quick 20-minute walk from the hotel takes you to a small convenience store for a larger selection of daily essentials, snacks and supplies. Other activities are also available, such as horseback riding, aerial yoga, massage sessions, trips to hot springs, fishing, cultural tours and much more.

Surf packages

Save up to 25% with our 5-night stay special package. All meals, five practical surfing lessons, two surf theory lessons, video and digital photo analysis, board rental, bonfire, boat trip and 4x4 adventure included. Valid for bookings from Monday through Saturday. Send us a message if you would like to know more!

Getting there
Fly to Liberia (Costa Rica) Airport. From there, it's a 3.5-hour drive to our hotel and we will happily arrange an airport pi... read more
Fly to Liberia (Costa Rica) Airport. From there, it's a 3.5-hour drive to our hotel and we will happily arrange an airport pick-up for you. If driving all that time is not for you, fly into the new Costa Esmeralda Airport, from Liberia (Costa Rica).... read more

Magnific Rock

Leading trips since 2005
Karina Dominguez
Karina Dominguez

The land on which Magnific Rock stands belongs to the Salinas de Nahualapa Indigenous Community. In the early 2000s, the Indigenous Community gave a lease to a Danish man to build a great, one-of-a-kind hotel on the spectacular headland. However, construction was never completed, and Magnific Rock sat for 5 years, abandoned, regressing to nothing more than a shell of a building on a rock. There were no floors, no plumbing, no windows, no electricity. Many thought it was a lost cause.

At this time, Jackson and his father David took a trip to Nicaragua looking for land. Jackson had a dream of creating a surf, yoga, and adventure creative paradise. A real estate agent took the two of them up to Magnific Rock, as it was a good vantage point to see another piece of property the agent was trying to sell. However, upon seeing Magnific Rock, and the incredible waves in front and surrounding it, Jackson and David knew they’d found the magical land they’d been looking for.

The Indigenous Community was very welcoming towards Jackson and David, and agreed to allow them to take over the lease. That marked the beginning of the Magnific Rock we know today - a growing business that is proud to be part of the Salinas de Nahualapa Indigenous community.

Today, the Magnific Rock team consists of approximately 50 staff. Led by 3 young Australians, Jackson, Amy, and Chef Scott, the Magnific Rock team work together with the shared dream of creating a world-class space, combining entertainment and holiday fun with an active, healthy lifestyle and integration with the local community.

Languages: English; Spanish
Response rate: 100%
Response time: Within 24 hours

4.50 · 2 reviews

United States of America
Sean
Avid surfer, Feb 2023
Mag Rick has some of the most unbelievable views and access to great waves. If you have more than a few people, definitely rent multiple apartmen... show more
Mag Rick has some of the most unbelievable views and access to great waves. If you have more than a few people, definitely rent multiple apartments.
Sean's photo of Magnific Rock
United States of America
Theona
Avid surfer, Aug 2022
Magnific rock is an outstanding destination. Beautiful view, clean, & superb hospitality.
Magnific rock is an outstanding destination. Beautiful view, clean, & superb hospitality.
Theona's photo of Magnific Rock

Choose your accommodation

Sleeping up to 4 people, our self-contained, apartments are perfe... more
Connect with your awesome room mates, and live the Popoyo way. Ou... more
The Cabina Privada s our most affordable room, great for traveler... more
Our chalets are perfect for watching the waves roll in and Popoyo... more
These brand new studio apartments take the Magnific Rock experien... more
These brand new studio apartments take the Magnific Rock experien... more
From the highest point of Magnific Rock, the loft room perfectly... more
Our Penthouse has simply spectacular views of the stunning coastl... more
Our most affordable bedrooms. No air conditioning. These rooms ar... more
From $49 / night
For dates and accommodations not listed, or if you want to book further out

Questions?

What's included?
Wifi, on-site restaurant and pool.
What's not included?
Flights, airport transfers, meals, drinks, yoga and surf classes, board rentals, extra activities. All available for an extra fee.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel and get a full refund within 48 hours of purchase, or at least 90 days before the trip starts.