Getting To the BeachesNorth of San Juan del Sur

Getting to and away Types:
How to get there

By Karina Zobolotny

If you’re taking a taxi to the northern beaches, the ride is about 20 minutes and  costs you $20 round trip. Alternatively, there are a number of surf shops in town that can provide transportation to Playa Maderas or boat trips to drop you off on different beaches with no road access. As well, the infamous truck known as the “Indian Face” picks up people near the Centro in the morning, then it passes by the beach again about 4 or 4:30 p.m. Check with the surf shops or the hostel Casa Feliz to find out where to grab the truck each morning.

Don’t be deterred by the lack of signs if you are trying to naviage in your own vehicle. Politely ask for directions from locals, if you get lost. To get out of town head out to the main road, then take the first left after the Palí supermarket. Here, the road is unpaved and can be quite bumpy and muddy during rainy season. Continue straight until the signs that say "Marsella" and take a left to get to all the beaches. For Marsella, continue following the roads to the left. Take the first right for Playa Majagual, Ocotal, Arena Blanca and the north end of Maderas. For the main beach of Playa Maderas take the right at the fork in the road.