La Boquita

Centro Turistico La Boquita, a lovely beachside complex, features rows of thatched restaurants, a kiddie park and a few hotels. Like many government-run projects, La Boquita suffers from a depressing lack of custom during weekdays (if you’re on foot and no one is around, the guard might even waive the C$5 entry fee). That said, a visit during the week is perfect if you want the beach to yourself, but not if you’re interested in any sort of nightlife. La Boquita picks up on weekends, with families who come to escape the city heat, and gets most lively during holidays such as Semana Santa and Christmas. The beach is also has a growing reputation as a solid spot for surfing. At the 13 La Boquita restaurants, you can eat with your feet in the sand and watch pelicans skim the muddy colored waves. Among the best is Bar y Rest. Los Jicaritos (tel: 505-8-618-0209); ask Susy to serve you his specialty of camarón del rio a la plancha, a truly enormous platter of grilled river shrimp. Day-trippers please note, the last bus leaves for Diriamba at 6 p.m., but you should leave earlier if you plan to continue on to another city.

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Other places nearby La Boquita: San Juan de Oriente, Diriamba, Casares, Catarina, San Marcos, Diria, Diriomo, Masatepe, Nindirí and Niquinohomo.