miramar and puerto sandino, ni

Miramar is a really nice surfing town in the center of Nicaragua. There’s no nightlife to speak of, a few local restaurants, and one nice spot at the north end of the bay called El Gallo Griton. The waves are really amazing, and never all that crowded. You come here to surf, and nothing else. Miramar is going to be noticeably more developed than the nearby northern part of the country, but still by no means is it developed. This place is home to a lot of surf lodges. Some really nice ones that are hundreds of dollars a night, and thousands per week. But they will get you on amazing waves. The name of the town is Miramar, but I have also named this place 'Puerto Sandino', because that is the name of the wave why most people come here. Puerto Sandino is probably the longest wave in the country. You know what? I will go out on a limb and say that I am sure it's the longest wave in the country. One of the best. It was head high + when I was there, and they were some of the most fun lefts I have ever surfed. Leg burners for days. It wasn't barreling like it has the potential to, but some years, if that bars are working right, it's more like a wave-pool with 20 second barrels than something naturally occurring. Outside of this epic wave you have other waves in the area that are equally as awesome. If you don't surf, you won't be coming here, but if you want to get on some great waves, this is one of the top places in the country to visit. Man, writing this makes me miss Central American surfing as I sit landlocked in Colombia.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

LOCATION - Miramar is in the middle of the country, but very conveniently located only about 45 minutes from Leon. So it's super close. I personally don't know of any way to get here by bus. It's such a small place that there really isn't even bus transport. I may be wrong, but that's my experience. You should first get to Leon if you are in Managua, or flying to Managua. From Leon you can take a taxi to Puerto Sandino, or Miramar — whatever you want to call it. The taxi will be cheap. About $10 or less. If you are driving yourself, it's pretty simple.

ACCOMMODATION - There's a few options to stay here in Gigante. The first one below is where I would stay.
1. Sirena Surf House - probably the best option I would say. Owner is a super-cool guy from Central California who has been there forever. Right in front of the Miramar wave. Cheap dorms, on the sand, good vibes.
2. Miramar Surf Camp - Expensive surf camp, but nice view on the cliff. This place will be of the highest quality in town, if you are looking for an amazing week-long surf experience.
3. Casa La Barra - Another high-quality surf camp. Will be expensive, they will take care of everything for you though.
4. Other Random Places - There's little hotels and spots all over the place if you want to do more research. I wouldn't look past Sirena though, it's right on the sand, and the owner is awesome.

EATS - Not too many options. One nice restaurant on the beach.
- Gallo Griton - A great little restaurant on the beach. Only place in town really that also has a bar. Lost of different food options.
- Peñazolas - Unassuming little local spot. Good food that's also cheap.

NIGHTLIFE - Zip.

SIGHTS - Go surfing. Take a day trip to Leon if you are only here to surf as well.

SURFING - The waves here fucking rock. They are so good, and there's a bunch of different variety as well. Just barrel city wow I loved it.
- Puerto Sandino - One of the best lefts I have ever surfed. It’s a peeling, 200-yarder that just doesn’t give up. When the sandbars are right, the barrels can apparently be 10-15 seconds long. Must take a boat, and it’s not cheap. It will cost you about $20 to get out here, but that's how everyone here makes a living.
- Miramar - Excellent wave right on the beach. Slabby, barrel-y, high performance. Great fun if you don’t want to take a boat. Also breaks primarily left.
- Shackys/Shiftys - Couple more waves that are in the Miramar Bay. One’s a left, ones a right. Need short periods to work, but can apparently be very good. Low tide — beware of extreme rock hazards.