Playa Madera Nicaragua

The southwest coast of Nicaragua has become one of the hot spots for international travelers, and with good reason. The coast is a mosaic of rugged rocky headlands and pocket beaches. It has a number of nature reserves. It is the prettiest coastline in the country.

After years of traveling through Latin America and the Caribbean I chose to move here to the southwest coast of Nicaragua. I have looked into living in Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina, but it is here that I decided to settle. There are many reasons for this. The major ones involve lifestyle, climate, health and safety, and cost of living. There are many choices of where one can live. Most important for me are natural geography and culture. Nicaragua is blessed with tremendous natural diversity, from the beautiful, sculptured beaches of the southwest Pacific,

 to the northern highlands,

and the tropical Caribbean, it has something for everyone.

 On my first trip here I rented a car for a couple of months and did an extensive tour of the country.    I wanted to get a very good feel of the opportunities and potential of the different parts. Two areas drew my attention and heart; the Pacific southwest coast and the northern highlands.

The highlands are beautiful,

with a wonderfully refreshing climate, but there were not enough other attractions to draw me to the area. I finally decided to move here to the beaches on the southwest coast.

Here are a number of the reasons I chose Playa Madera, just north of San Juan del Sur. The two principle reasons are the people and the natural geography. San Juan del Sur is known around the world for its beautiful beaches and water sports. f you want more infomation you can visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VistaPlayaMadera or call Craig at 505-8754-2884.

 It has become a focal point for tourists, retirees, and ex-pats from around the world. This makes it unique in Nicaragua, while San Juan del Sur is an old established Nicaraguan community it has a large population of foreigners. This was important to me in a variety of ways. It expands the potential community of friends and neighbors. While the majority of my friends are Nicaraguans, I also have friends from around the world. There is a sizable European, Canadian, US, Australian, and Latin American population. This makes for an exciting and dynamic community. This is extremely important to the quality of life. There are some beautiful beaches to the north, but they are either very isolated, hours from the nearest city, or gated communities built exclusively for foreigners. Neither of these appealed to me. Here you have the best of both world, spectacular scenery and an old established Nicaragua community with a large population of foreigners. There is also sorts of community activities from organized sports and social events to numerous potential volunteer opportunities.

The second major reason was the natural geography. Here in the southwest corner of Nicaragua the mountains and hills descend right down into the sea. It is a rugged coastline of beaches and rocky headlands. This creates a very dramatic coastline with great diversity.

 Depending on which way the beaches face, and the shape of the rocky headlands one can find beaches with wild and powerful waves; perfect for surfing or boogie-boarding,

while just around the corner, protected by dramatic cliffs and headlands one can find bays with clear and calm water. A perfect place for swimming, diving, or playing with a young family. From some points in Vista Playa Madera one can see five distinct bays which offer something for everyone; from the avid surfer to tranquil beachcomber.

There are many other activities in which one can partake. The fishing is incredible. A friend spends 3 hours a week fishing with rod and reel, or spear gun, and has more fish than he wants for the week. The locals use a hand line with primitive weights and floats and make a living with the fish they catch. Using a decent rod and reel offers one great  opportunity for sport and food.

 The area is great for horseback riding. There are 4-5 different places within a few km one can rent horses. With good connections and friends I ride for free or very cheap, even the tourist spots are very inexpensive. One can chose between beach and forest for your rides. If you are a serious riders, this is the land of horseman. The term for gentleman here literally translate to horseman. There is a wide range of horse from which to chose. One can buy a horse for as little as $130 dollars, and pasture with local friends or your own property.

Then there is walking, hiking birding, gardening and much, much more for outside activities. Visit the volcanoes, kayack in the ocean or lakes, windsurf, or just lay back and enjoy the incredible climate.

The climate is the other part of the puzzle that makes this area so desirable a place to live. San Juan del Sur is less than 700 miles north of the equator. Most of places within this distance are very hot and humid. I have spent much time in Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Caribbean. They are beautiful places full of wonderful beaches, forest and people, yet none are as livable as the beaches of southwest Nicaragua. The secret here are the easterly winds. They blow off the Caribbean, as they cross the isthmus they dry out. This reduces the humidity. Yesterday we had a humidity of 62%. I remember living in Ecuador with 100% humidity. I could take a cool shower, and be in a full sweat by the time I crossed the room to get into bed! It is definitely very uncomfortable to have nights of 32 degrees and high humidity all night. Most can not live comfortably without air conditioning.

Here it is very different. The humidity is much lower than normal for much of the tropics. One hears much of the importance of location for real estate; location, location, location, that is all one hears. Here it is even more important that ever. There is tremendous diversity within the country. The Caribbean lowlands are true humid tropical forest with high temperatures and humidity. You have to be a jungle lover to enjoy living there. The northern highlands are wonderful, great climate and beautiful foresst. It just does not offer the range of activities and culture of the southwest coast. Then there is the southwest coast. This area is classified as dry, tropical forest. There are only three months with considerable rains, June, September, and October. The rest of the year it is pretty dry. This affects the humidity, as mentioned above, making it a much more comfortable climate within which to live. This aridity has other great benefits. This is the only part of Nicaragua where malaria is unknown. That is right, there is NO malaria here. I live in the forest here in a home with no screens on my windows. There are many, many less bugs than my former homes in Vancouver and Golden BC Canada. It is ironic that here in the forest, there are less mosquitoes than in town. In town there are numerous sources of stagnant water, old tires, abandon wells, buckets, and old water tanks. These are all potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dengue, another mosquito borne disease is not found in the forests, only in urban setting where there is breeding grounds and people.

These are the principle reasons I picked this area. It is amazingly livable with a moderate climate. The dry eastern winds blow the hot surface waters out to sea, and cool waters from deep in the Pacific well up to the surface. These waters range from 24 to 27 degrees. These cool waters moderate the temperatures tremendously  Daily highs seldom climb above 30 degrees during the hottest part of the day, which is only for a couple hours in the afternoon. By early evening the temperatures drop to the mid 20's, with lows of 24-26 degrees. We live a early life here. I raise around dawn and work out on the property until noon or 1 pm and then it is siesta and beach time, becoming more active as the temperature drops in the evening. Add water and the climate allows one to grow just about everything. I have grapes, lychee, pomegranites, almonds, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, all the citrus, and literally dozens of other fruits and vegetable growing on the land. And flowers, flowers, flowers.

Then there is the spectacular scenery. The coast is very dramatic with beautiful views and varied offerings with a backdrop of tropical forests. This is still a very undeveloped coastline.

There are many birds and animals. It is a nightly serenade of gentle rocking waves and animals singing in the forest.

 The natural diversity provides an incredible range of possible activities, from gardening to birding,

surfing and swimming, fishing and horseback riding, to poker nights, beach volleyball, spas and fine dining. The area offers many many amenities and activities. This is unique in Nicaragua, and the combination makes this the best place in Nicaragua to live. Best of all it is under 1 1/2 hours to Granada, and under 3 to Managua where there is even more cultural and commercial opportunities, and then you get to retreat from the hustle and bustle, and noise of the city and kick back and watch the sunsets over the ocean. Or just kicking back and relaxing.

Stage 2 Vista Playa Madera is Open

Stage 2 Vista Playa Madera is Open.

Here are the lot plans for Vista Playa Madera.

Healthy Living in the Tropics Part 2 Cool Soups

And now that we have come back from the Masaya market, let us get cooking. Here are some delicious and easy to make soups that evokes a taste of Latin America.

Gazpacho:

Gazpacho

4 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced

1/2 English cucumber, peeled and finely diced

1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup minced green onion

1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 pinch dried oregano

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 lime, juiced

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil

1. Combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a large bowl. Stir in salt, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
2. Place cherry tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender. Cover and puree until smooth. Pour pureed mixture through a strainer into the tomato-cucumber mixture; stir to combine.
3. Place 1/3 of the tomato mixture into the blender. Cover, turn blender on, and puree until smooth. Return pureed mixture to the remaining tomato-cucumber mixture. Stir to combine. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.
4. Season cold soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with basil.

Avocado Vichyssoise:

Avocado Vichyssoise

This is an easy soup to make. It is served cold so it is a refreshing lunch or beginning to supper.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot. Add 3 peeled and cubed potatoes and 3 trimmed and chopped leeks. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring, until softened. Add 4 cups stock, vegetable is best. Boil, cover, lower the heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Purée, then let cool. Stir in a mix of mashed and coarsely chopped flesh of  2 avocados before serving. Garnish: Chopped cilantro. If you can not find leeks here some mild onions with green attached can be used, just reduce the quantity a bit.

Lime and Tortilla Soup:

Not cool but declicious

In this classic soup, called sopa de lima, from Mexico's Yucatan region. You can use chicken breasts or my favorite is with shredded BBQ chicken it goes well with the chipotle peppers. Be careful not to add too much chili or the soup may be too fiery for comfort. You want to maintain a good balance between the tartness of the lime and the heat of the chilies. One large avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced, makes a soothing garnish to the spicy broth. 

Ingredients:

• 4 quarts chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 corn tortillas, cut into strips 2 inches long
• 2 cups shredded BBQ chicken (I like the smoky flavor)
• 3 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 Tbs. minced garlic
• 1 to 3 tsp. finely minced chipotle chili peppers
• 1 1/2 cups fresh peeled, seeded and diced tomatoes 
• 6 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
• 6 Tbs. fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 12 paper-thin lime slices, cut into quarters

Directions:

In a large saucepan over high heat, bring 3 1/2 quarts of the stock to a boil. Reduce the heat so the broth boils gently and boil until reduced by half to about 7 cups, about 30 minutes. Buy a BBQ chicken and use bones and skin to make stock.

Brush tortillas with light coating of oil. Cut into narrow 1/4 inch strips and place in 350 oven for about 15 minutes until crisp.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeño chili and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Add the reduced broth, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add the shredded chicken, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper, and simmer until the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Sprinkle the lime pieces and tortilla strips evenly over the top. Garnish with queso fresco and avocado.  Serve immediately. Enjoy

Investing in Nicaraguan Real Estate

Now it the perfect time to invest in Nicaragua real estate. After decades of stagnant growth Nicaragua is being discovered. Tourism and retirement immigration are growing at double digits. This is a sure sign that real estate prices will continue to climb.

Playa Maderas just minutes north of San Juan del Sur

 Major investments in infrastructure and tourism will continue to draw people to the country. When they experience the natural diversity and beauty of the country many will decide to buy their own little piece of paradise. You have missed the real estate booms in Costa Rica and, Mexico, and Belize. Nicaragua is the Costa Rica of 15-30 years ago, price are a 1/3 of prices in Costa Rica. A sizable percentage of the recent purchase in the area are ex-pats from Costa Rica. they are cashing in on their earnings in Costa Rican real estate and buying new properties in southern Nicaragua.

View of Playa Madera from Vista Playa Madera

They are experienced investors in Latin America real estate and know where the next best deals can be found. Prices around San Juan are higher than in other parts of the country, but that is for good reason. It has one of the best climates in the country. The cool Pacific waters moderate the temperatures tremendously. If you live on the coast the daily highs rarely climb above 30 degrees, and nights are typically between 22 and 24 degrees. The dry tropical forest of the area is very healthy with no malaria, and few other tropical diseases.

Morgan's Rock from Playa Maderas

While there is some very cheap properties in other parts of the country you get what you pay for. If you want to live in a remote, isolated area, away from the ex-pats and tourism, and all the amenities and infrastructure that brings, then you can find some very cheap properties. But, if you want to live near the sea with all the amenities: good infrastructure, great town for shopping, entertainment, and dining, boating, fishing, surfing and more then you should look to the Pacific coast. One should not under estimate the importance of the local community. It is extremely important to have a close group of friends. This area has just the right mix of ex-pats and locals. The ex-pat community is large enough that one can pick and chose friends. there are many local gatherings of friends for drinks by the water, potlucks, card games, fishing, horseback riding and more. This adds tremendously to the quality of life for new immigrants and seasonal visitors.

The great recession hit property markets very hard here. Prices plunged between the end of 2007 and 2010; people have little interest in 2nd homes, or vacation properties when their primary homes were losing value and threaten with loss. Now, that the economy has stabilized and the real estate market is rising, interest has grown tremendously. They are making million dollar improvements to the roads, port, and other infrastructure. The growth in visitors will push the real estate markets ever higher, as more and more people come to know of the beauty and diversity of this pretty country.

Here are a few links to some websites on investing in property in Nicaragua.

Vista Playa Madera on Facebook

Nicaragua Retirement on Facebook

Escape Artist Nicaragua

Globalpropertyguide Nicaragua

Nicaraguanbugle Nicaragua

Coldwell Banker Nicaragua

Even better than reading about it? Come visit our spectacular part of the world.

Sunset from Vista Playa Madera lot

Vista Playa Madera, just minutes north of San Juan del Sur, offers ocean view lots from $26,995.

San Juan del Sur reminds me of Sayulita in Mexico 25 years ago, but prettier! Today lots without ocean views and miles from the beach are selling for 5-10 times the price of properties in Nicaragua. Compare this

A lot in Sayulita Mexico today

to this in Vista Playa Madera for 1/5 the price:

View of Playa Madera from Vista Playa Madera lot

In a much, much safer country (ranked as the 3rd safest country in all the Americas after Canada and Uruguay) and a lower cost of living.

Here is a good article on investing or retiring in Nicaragua.

International Living is a good source of information on living/retiring in Nicaragua.

The Great Recession and Overseas Retirement

The Great Recession devastated income, earnings and savings of the baby boomers. A recent Washington Post article states that the downturn wiped out 40% of the wealth of Americans. No other group has been as hard hit by the economic downturn of the last few years as those close to retirement. As one woman in a recent NYT article claims she will probably have to work until she is 100 before she retires. For many who have lost their jobs the downturn is particularly frightening, they can be one single accident, or medical illness from losing it all; their homes, their retirement savings, the world as they know it.

 These are some of the reasons that overseas retirement is being contemplated by many baby boomers. Here in Nicaragua, their income from retirement, the money they gained from selling their northern home, the low cost of living, and low medical care costs can allow them to live a lifestyle many, many times more luxurious than in the US, Europe, or Canada. Furthermore, while economic prospects for older workers are dismal in North America and Europe, here in a rapidly growing economy, with a deficit in skilled workers it is much easier to start ones own business.

Playa Madera on the southwest coast of Nicaragua is a center of immigration for retirees

The rapid growth in GDP for all Nicaraguans, and the tremendous growth in tourism, have created great conditions for starting a business here. The ex-pat population creates a large group looking for many of the comforts of home, whether it is familiar food, Western style houses, fresh herbs and spices, or a comfortable place to hang their hats during vacations. Investments in real estate are bound to increase in value. At a time when many investments are only gain meager returns real estate here is booming. Yet, with the fall in prices during the Great Recession there are still many great deals here. Prices are 1/3 to 1/7 of North American and Costa Rican prices. One could sell one's home in Canada, the US, or Europe and live comfortable for decades on the money earned. One can even use one sIRA's or 401(k) to invest in real estate, and then sell it to yourself when you move here.

Playa Madera on the southwest coast of Nicaragua is a center of immigration for retirees

The southwest coast of Nicaragua is an excellent area to buying income generating real estate. There is a strong tourism potential, and many new arrivals looking for a place to rent for the winter. It is also famous for its surfing. The best months for surfing are April to October. This extends the tourist season, from a boom and bust two to three month season to a virtually all year round proposition. There are many, many older surfers looking for comfortable homes near the best beaches. Playa Madera is one of the most famous surf beaches in Nicaragua. Its location just 15 minutes north of San Juan del Sur makes it a must go for surfers and all beach lover the world round. Vista us at Vista Playa Madera, or visit our Facebook page.

Ocean View Property for Sale in Vista Playa Madera

The community of Vista Playa Madera is offering ocean view properties nestled in the forests above Playa Madera.

View of Playa Madera from one of the properties

We are an ecologically oriented community with beautiful properties located just minutes north of San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua. This is a uniquely spectacular area of beautiful beaches and forests.

The properties has great views to the south and west

The area is surrounded by beautiful old trees. Each property is surrounded by beautiful old trees and tropical forest. It is just 15 minutes from San Juan del Sur, but located in a place of peace and tranquility.

It is just a ten minute walk to the beach

You have the best of both worlds; peace and tranquility of a property nestled in the forest, yet just minutes from San Juan del Sur and all its amenities.

Each lot has been planted with a wide variety of tropical fruits and ornamentals

Imagine stepping outside and picking fresh, ripe citrus, bananas, papayas, pineapples, and passion fruit for breakfast. Looking down and seeing how the waves are for the day from your own deck. This really is a special place. It reminds me of Costa Rica 40 years ago, with the same potential and beauty.

Lot 3 in stage 1

  Each lot is designed to with utmost care to preserve the spectacular views, retain the privacy of the lots and landscaped and planted with a wide variety of tropical fruit and flowering trees and plants. We have lots from $26,995.

 View of Sailboat from Vista Playa Madera Lot

 Lots 1,2,3 in Stage 1

 Partial View from lot 4 Stage 1

Wonderful Diversity & Beauty of Nicaragua

Nicaragua is increasingly being discovered as a tourist and retirement destination. It is a country of tremendous beauty and diversity. It is composed of three distinct regions; the Pacific coast

Morgan's Rock near San Juan del Sur

 and adjacent lowlands, the central highlands,

The highland mountains near Matagalpa

 and the tropical forests and beaches of the Caribbean.

Corn Island in the Nicaraguan Caribbean

 The Pacific area is known as the land of lakes and volcanoes.

Volcan Concepcion on Ometepe

Laguna Apoya a crater lake near Granada

Playa Madera near San Juan del Sur

The rugged coastline creates a wonderful diversity of beaches and bays, that provide something for everyone from surfers looking for great waves, to families wanting calm waters to swim and play.

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Properties at Vista Playa Madera

Vista Playa Madera is a small ecologically oriented development locate just above the beautiful beach of Playa Madera. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Nicaragua. It is world famous for surfing. Yet, the rocky headlands create a myriad of different bays from great surfing to other bays with tranquil waters. There is a beach for everyone within minutes walk of the properties.

Morgan's Rock from Playa Madera

All properties have good access and excellent, potable well water. The properties have been landscaped and planted with a wide diversity of tropical plants and flowers. Thousands of tropical fruits have been planted on the properties. There are oranges, mandarin, limes, grapefruit, papaya, pineapple, bananas, cashews, pomegranate, passion fruit, cinnamon  pepper, avocados, mangoes and many, many more planted throughout the development. One can begin harvesting fresh fruit this year on some of the lots. Imagine stepping outside your door and picking fresh, organic fruit from your very own yard.

One of the lots. The foreground is a riot of papaya, pineapple, citrus, watermelons and more

These properties have been designed to ensure that each one has great views that can not be blocked by further development. There are spectacular views all the way from Costa Rica to Morgan's Rock. These are spectacular views. Many of the properties have views of the surf break at Playa Madera.

View from Vista Playa Madera

Stage 1 is composed of lots of approximately 1/4 acre, and  larger  nestled in the pristine forests above Playa Madera.  Lots in Stage 1 range from $27,995 to $99,995. Picture of Playa Madera  from one of the lots.  Stage 1 has four lots that range from 1063 meters squared to 2600 meters squared.

Lot 3 Stage 1

All the lots are located in a beautiful forested valley above Playa Madera. The forests abound with monkeys, butterflies, iguanas, and parrots. Yet, it is a very healthy place. There have been no reported cases of malaria in the state of Rivas, dengue fever is only found in urban areas. With your own well this is a very healthy place to live. My house has no screens on the windows and there are virtually no bugs to bother one.

Sunset from Vista Playa Madera

You can find out more about us at ourFacebook page.

While close to the beach they are nestled in the tropical forest above the beach. This is the best of both worlds, very close to the beach, yet set above the hustle and bustle. These forests are wonderful. They are home to a diversity of birds, butterflies, monkeys, and more.

Playa Madera

Morgan's Rock from Playa Madera

Sunset fromVista Playa Madera

 Stage 2 is just opening March 15th and will have 17 lots ranging from 500 M2 to 1500 M2. These are beautiful lots with incredible views toward the southwest from Costa Rica to Morgan's Rock.

 The new lots start at $17,995. They are just a few minutes walk from the beach and several restaurants and bars, yet nestled in the tranquility of the forest. This is a great place for a vacation home, retirement, or investment property.

The Road to Vista Playa Madera.

The Road to Vista Playa Madera.

      Long, long ago I made a decision not to wait until I was 65 to begin filling my bucket list. It seemed crazy to wait until you are 65 to do all the other things you desired to do. I decided then and there I would take my retirement in stages, 20% a year, and begin to follow my dreams and desires. I have been very successful in this. It grew into a type of work where I worked like a wild man, double, triple time three months a year, the rest of the year I enjoyed long periods of free time to travel, volunteer, and telecommute. It has been a great life so far, full of adventure, love and fulfillment. Before coming to Nicaragua I had a sailboat in the Caribbean.

 Heading southwest into the Caribbean from Florida

 I would work four months a year in Canada and then telecommute the rest of the year. I was once sitting on the beach in Cuba reading some technical manuals (and drinking a beer), on an incredible Caribbean beach and a foreign a woman asked me how long I was on vacation. I swept my arms across the blue horizon and exclaimed this is my office, and it was. I spent seven blessed years sailing those incredible waters.Sailing Cuba.

One of the incredibly beautiful wild, untouched beaches in Cuba

During those decades of work and travel I was drawn ever again to Latin America. It is an enchanted land, full of history, natural wonders, and friendly people. Through the years I have traveled to virtually every country in North, Central, and South America. I knew I wanted to "retire," here - I really envision it as engagement, engagement in new activities and adventure - down here. I just had not decided quite where. I had planned a trip back to Central America when I decided to buy my sail boat, so that trip was postponed. When I finally made it to my last country in Central America I discovered a real gem. It is a natural wonderland.

Playa Madera on the southwest of Nicaragua near San Juan del Sur

The natural diversity is awe inspiring. In a country the size of New York state one can find the dry tropical forests of the rugged Pacific coast, the dry and hot lowlands of the central interior, the cool cloud forests of the northern mountains, and the immense, grand forests of the hot and humid Caribbean lowlands. The land of lakes, spectacular beaches and volcanoes.

 It reminds me of Costa Rica forty years ago. I can walk 30 minutes from home and be on a beach where I have seen less than a dozen people in three years. The climate here on the coast is perfect. You always hear location, location, location for real estate. Here in the tropics that is truer than anywhere else. The diversity of microclimates is tremendous. Here right on the coast the easterly winds blow the warm waters on the surface of the Pacific out to sea and cool waters from deep below come to the surface. These waters average about 27 degrees. These cool waters moderate the temperatures tremendously. It is 6:30 pm today and the temperatures have already dropped to an incredibly comfortable 27 degrees. Daily temperatures range from lows of 22-24 degrees in the night to 29-31 during the hottest part of the day. For a country only 11 degrees north of the equator this is miraculous!

Then you have the humidity and rainfall. This area is classified as dry tropical forest, 80% of the rains come during 3 months of the year: June, September and October, Very little rain falls from November to May. This has a huge impact on the local humidity index, most of the year the humidity rarely climbs out of the 70's. This has a huge impact on the physical comfort. This is much lower than the humidity in NYC or Toronto. One can live comfortably without air conditioning in a well designed house. So cool evenings and warm days all year round. All in a country only only 700 miles north of the equator.

The situation changes drastically as you head east, first the temperatures rise as you get away from the moderating influence of the cool Pacific. It becomes hot, dry and arid for much of the year.

The hot dry interior

If you want to live in the tropics but don't like hot climates then the north central mountains are the place for you. Temperatures rarely climb above the high 20's and nighttime it is around 18 degrees.

The cool, cloud forests of north central Nicaragua

Then as you head farther east toward the Caribbean the humidity climbs rapidly. These are the deep lowland humid forest of the Caribbean lowlands.

Rio San Juan The pirate Henry Morgan prowled these waters.

 Day and night the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees and the humidity is close to 100%. You definitely feels like you are in the hot tropics there.

A view of the surf from Vista Playa Madera lot

The dry forests of the Pacific coast has a major impact on insects and disease. There are very few bugs here. It is too dry much of the year. I have no screens on my windows, dressed only in shorts at dusk and there is not one mosquito or biting bug. There is probably 1% of the biting bugs of Canada, and NO malaria in the state of Rivas Nicaragua. malaria map of Nicaragua. Again it is all location. Here in the hills, over looking the sea there in no standing water. Pick a location just a couple of miles away, close to a river or estuary, or in urban areas where old tires, buckets and old cisterns prove a breeding ground, and you will have a mosquito problem. Ironically mosquitoes are more an urban problem than here in the dry forests.

A view south from Playa Madera to Morgan's Rock

So, after all my travels, from the farthest reaches of South America to the northern borders of Mexico and The Caribbean I picked Playa Madera as my place to settle down. It is a magic land of rugged rocky headlands and fine sand beaches. Vista Playa Madera is nestled in the forests above this beach.  The area is some times called Cinco Bahias, Five Bays, because there are five separate bays within just a few minutes walk of my home. This makes it an aquatic playground. One beach will face the full Pacific, and the southwest swell, with the whole southern Pacific in which to grow crashes upon the shore

. Another tucked behind the rocky headlands is calm as a lake shore.

Playa Majagual from Morgan's Rock

This diversity of beaches is wonderful. One can surf and boogie board on one beach, swim and play with small children on another. The protected coves are perfect for snorkeling or diving. The strong waves make for a beachcomber delight. Playa Madera is one of the best surfing beaches in Nicaragua. Numerous surfing competitions have been held here over the years.

The popularity of the area makes it fairly unique for a tourist area in the tropics. Most areas suffer from a major boom and bust season, with the popular months being confined to a couple months in the winter. Here the best surfing is April through to October. This doubles or triples the number of months when people come to visit. That makes it a much more desirable area for running a small business, hotel, or B&B.

Playa Madera Surf