[Where are we?]    [How to get there]

Where are we? 

Los Cardones is located on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, north of Montelimar and south of El Transito. By car, it is approximately a one and a half hour drive from Managua.

Our direction is: de Carreterra Masachapa Km 49, 15 Km al Mar, Rotulos Los Cardones.

How to get there?

We will gladly arrange your transportation from anywhere in Nicaragua. Please contact us to coordinate your transportation. 

DRIVING

From Managua Airport If you don't have a map yet, look for a Between The Waves magazine at the Tourism desk of the airport. Take a left on Carreterra Norte as you exit the airport, stay on Carreterra Norte for several miles until you see an 8-feet tall metal sclupture of a worker with a machine gun (past Palacio de La cultura). Make a left. At the first roundabout (Rotonda Plaza Inter) take a right. At the end of the road turn left and stay on this road as it takes you out of Managua on Carreterra Sur. Keep going straight at the Nejapa traffic light, you are now on Carretera Vieja Leon.

You will be leaving Managua on Carreterra Vieja a Leon. At Santa Rita (km31) the road forks. Go left to follow the signs to Montelimar -Pochomil -Masachapa. At km49, take a right on the dirt road. This is Communidad California, there is a sign to Gran Pacifica. Follow the signs to Los Cardones Surf Lodge.

From Granada: Take the road out of Granada towards Masaya, then Managua. 

In Managua take a left turn at the second round-about (Rotonda Centro America). Drive several miles and straight through the next roundabout (uphill). Continue several miles until the end of the road at Carretera Sur. At the end of the road take a left turn (going uphill). This is going to Carretera Vieja a Leon. Take Carretera Vieja a Leon to Santa Rita. At Santa Rita (km31) the road forks. Go left to follow the signs to Montelimar -Pochomil -Masachapa. At km49, take a right on the dirt road. This is Communidad California, there is a sign to Gran Pacifica. Follow the signs to Los Cardones Surf Lodge.

From Leon: Leave town on the road to Managua (Carreterra Vieja Leon).  
At Santa Rita (km31) the road forks. Go right to follow the signs to Montelimar -Pochomil -Masachapa. At km49, take a right on the dirt road. This is Communidad California, there is a sign to Gran Pacifica. Follow the signs to Los Cardones Surf Lodge.

From Penas Blancas or Rivas: head out on the Pan-American Hwy towards Nandaime. At Nandaime make a right towards Jinotepe/El Crucero. The Pan-American Highway slowly climbs up as you pass both Jinotepe and Diriamba and continue to Las Conchitas. At Las Conchitas there will be a big concrete sculpture at the fork in the road. Make a left towards Pochomil / Montelimar / San Rafael del Sur (NIC-8). The road is now winding down into the Pacific plane. About 5 miles past the town of San Rafael del Sur there will be a right fork in the road. Make a right towards Managua / Emp. Santa Rita (NIC-10). Follow this road until the Km 49 marker, At Km 49, take a left on the dirt road. This is Communidad California, there is a sign to Gran Pacifica. Follow the signs to Los Cardones Surf Lodge.  

A 4WD vehicle may be necessary during the rainy season (May to October).

By bus from Managua: 

At Mercado Israel in Managua, take the bus to San Cayetano. Buses run daily from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm, every 45 minutes during the week and every 1 hour on the weekends. Stop at California. From California you may hike or try to hitch a ride 15 km to the beach following the signs.