5 Hour Surf Session and then some....

I had an incredible surf session last Thursday at what used to be a "secret spot" which made me realize I need to surf that spot a bit more before it is not so secret any more. I surfed with Holly Beck, www.hollybecksurfs.blogspot.com, which a bonus not just for her beauty and smooth style in the barrel but also because of the great vibe and positive energy she has. I was also officially working as I was with my business partner John Goldenberg, www.c21popoyo.com, and New Marina office manager, Kristin Wilson, www.c21beachfront.com, and it stayed offshore until at least noon; when my arms stopped working. This was rare as we were in Northern Nicaragua where it does not always stay offshore all day long. After a big lunch at my friends 3,500 acre cattle ranch where we stayed we were on the road.....a few emails on the iPhone and some phone calls and I had my driver pull over and I hopped on my Mtn Bike for about 1.5 hours of 'heat training' to get in shape to race with the Century 21 Gold Coast Realty Mtn Bike Team, www.c21sanjuan.com/pages/in_the_community.html. After that it was dinner on the road and then crossing the border to Costa Rica to meet with some clients to bring back to Nicaragua....

Top 13 Things to do in the Northern Marina Puesta del Sol Area

The following is taken from Kristin Wilson's writeup on www.c21nicabeachfront.com Kristin is the General Manager of the Century 21 office in Marina Puesta del Sol.

1. Surf – San Juan del Sur may be known for some of the best surfing in Nicaragua (and all of Central America, for that matter), but that’s only because the North is still on the brink of surfing discovery. From perfect beachbreak barrels to endless point breaks, the Northern Marina area offers something for everyone, all within a short distance. Hit one of the more popular spots or name a secret spot of your own.

2. Sail – They don’t call it the Marina Area for nothin’! Ideal conditions in both the rainy and dry seasons are created by bands of high and low pressure moving seasonally either north or south and meeting together at all times of year in the South Pacific. The rainy season sees traditionally clear blue skies in the morning, a few puffy clouds at midday, and evening showers. Even in the driest months, the marina basin is characterized by consistent, but not overwhelming, off-shore breezes, making for great sailing.

3. Fish – There’s also good reasons that the national rum company, Flor de Caña, holds its annual Fishing Tournament at the Marina Area! A few of them are: rooster fish, red snapper, blue and striped Marlin, sailfish, yellowfin, wahoo and dorado. Need we say more? Inshore or offshore, there are fish here. Make sure you have a local cook up your prize catch or prepare it “ceviche-style”.

4. Jet Ski/Kayak the Estuaries – Day or night by full moon, exploring the mangrove-lined maze of estuaries of the marina is truly a must-do experience.

5. Mountain & Road Bike – With endless kilometers of pristine beaches, ocean view outposts and open roads, Aserradores is a mountain biker’s playground. Choose your own combination of off-road or paved riding on a newly-asphalted highway with light traffic.

6. World Class Hunting (Deer, Dove, Duck, Bobwhite) – From the ground or your own private helicopter, the hunting in the north is more than abundant.

7. Hike the Volcanoes – Cerro Negro and the majestic San Cristobal both sit short day trips from the marina area. San Cristobal is Nicaragua’s largest volcano, located in the quaint town of El Viejo. Cerro Negro, often described as Nicaragua’s most unique volcano for its short, steep climb and lack of vegetation, offers outstanding 360-degree views from its 400 meter peak.

8. Bask in the Hot Springs – The most popular hot springs are located within the area of the Cosigüina Volcano, which heat local pools and also offer proximity to bird and animal watch in local wetlands. After a dip in the hot springs, don’t miss the pristine Mechapa beaches and their high seaside cliffs!

9. Horseback Riding – Probably one of the best ways to truly explore all that Aserradores and the surrounding areas have to offer is on horseback, the mode of transportation of choice of most locals! For the more adventurous and experienced, there are multiple trails and open beaches to ride, or guides to lead beginning riders of all ages.

10. Bird Watching – The great diversity in the northern Nicaraguan landscape provides a habitat for the same diversity of birds. From the Great Egrets and Blue Herons of the estuaries to the Woodpecker, Warblers, Hawks, Kingbirds and Swallos of the mountains and hillsides, experienced birdwatchers will not be disappointed with viewing their standard favorites and exotic local native species.

11. Visit Flor de Caña Factory & Historic Leon – Flor de Caña is best known as one of the best rums in all of Latin America, having been awarded more than 72 medals worldwide in the past 5 years. The plantation distillery, located near the historic, Spanish colonial city of Leon, founded in the 1500s (a bustling town and “must-see” attraction), was first construction in 1890 but completely modernized in 1996. Don’t miss taste testing their “perfect” 12-year Centenario and other variety of rums!

12. Splurge on Lobster – It’s not really a splurge when it’s so readily available, but you can’t leave our fishing village of Aserradores, known for its seafood without experiencing the locals doing what they do best.

13. Whale watching – Keep an eye out for new tour operators popping up to take advantage of the many opportunities to view dolphins and whales along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Whale spouts can especially can be seen in the north, a common route for migrating Humpbacks headed toward the Golfo de Fonseca, bay which joins Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Biologists from international research teams are currently identifying the Marina Area as an important region for whale study.

Top 10 Things to do in San Juan del Sur

10. Take a water taxi to Playa Maderas and Bahia Majagual. You can catch the water taxi along the beach front road outside of Bar y Restaurant Buen Gusto. The taxi typically drops you off at Bahia Majagual. From there, it is a short walk around the bluff to Playa Maderas which is one of the most popular surfing beaches in the area.

9. Take a canopy tour. Da Flying Frog canopy tour is the longest canopy tour in Nicaragua. In addition to the adventure of gliding down the canopies you can also enjoy some excellent views of San Juan del Sur Bay.

8. Take a hike to the cross. For the best views of the town, take the short hike up the to the cross on the north side of the bay. Beware, the trails are a little steep, but the view is well worth the effort. The exercise is not bad either.

7. Check out the Mercado in San Juan del Sur or Rivas. I admit, the San Juan del Sur Mercado is not the biggest or best one around, but it is still worth a look. The little food stands have some of the best food in town for practically nothing. I strongly recommend the Jalapeño chicken. The breakfasts are not bad either. For a bigger shopping selection visit the Mercado in nearby Rivas.

6. Enjoy a nice dinner at El Colibri or one of San Juan’s other nice restaurants. El Colibri is renown around town for its delicious food, pleasant atmosphere and excellent sangria.

5. Visit La Isla de Ometepe. From San Juan del Sur you can catch a taxi to San Jorge. From there it is a 1 hour ferry to Ometepe. The ferry will bring you into Moyogalpa. From there there are buses and taxis to shuttle you around. Popular activities on the island include hiking two of Nicaragua’s most scenic volcanoes, visiting waterfalls, horseback riding and mountain biking.

4. Enjoy a sunset in one of San Juan del Sur’s many beachfront restaurants. San Juan del Sur has some of the world’s best sunsets, and there is no more relaxing way to enjoy it than with an ice cold cocktail or a lobster dinner on the beach.

3. Go on a deep sea fishing adventure and try your luck with the Sailfish, Roosterfish, Dorado, Snapper…

2. For those English only speakers, there are plenty of Spanish schools riddled around town. What better way to learn a new language than in a beautiful little town like San Juan del Sur in a friendly, personal family environment.

1. Visit the La Flor Wildlife Reserve. This can be found south of San Juan del Sur, and is the single most important breeding site for Olive Ridley turtles in Nicaragua. One of the two Pacific turtle nesting beaches in Nicaragua, the reserve is managed by Fundacion Cocibolca, an NGO that is attempting to involve the local community in decision-making processes. There is a small fee to enter, plenty of beach on which to camp, park guards to protect the eggs, and adequate transportation from San Juan del Sur.

House Hunters International

Century 21 Videos

Century 21 Gold Coast Realty
Barry Oliver, General Manager of Century 21 Gold Coast Realty in Nicaragua shows a couple from Hawaii several properties in Nicaragua on House Hunters International.

Part 1: 9:59

Part 2: 9:59

Part 3: 1:18