Las Penitas

Las Penitas might have a rockier shore than its Poneloya neighbor, but a position on the edge of Isla Juan Venado, plus a greater range of hotels, restaurants and tour guides mean that Las Penitas attracts the majority of the area’s tourists. Indeed, Las Penitas is the place to go if you want a couple of days of uninterrupted loafing on the sloped and largely empty beach. While the local tourist trade has been increasing, Las Penitas is still very much a working fishing village. Nets hang in yards, the tidal bay is full of boats and locals clean catches of tuna, manta ray and red snapper on the sand. Shortages of water and electricity are not uncommon (particularly with the nearby road construction) and you shouldn’t rely on hotels having everything they advertise. In April, only one working bicycle could be found among all the establishments that offered rentals, for example. Still, you’ll find plenty to do in Las Penitas, from surfing lessons to birdwatching trips, and the extensive variety of seafood offered at the local eateries and hotels (try the spiny lobsters, which are small but extremely savory) won’t disappoint either.

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Other places nearby Las Penitas: San Jacinto, Playa Jiquilillo, Jiquilillo, El Sauce, El Transito, Naragote, Leon, El Velero, Chinandega and Padre Ramos Estuary & Nature Reserve.