KasiaTravels on a budget: Playa Hermosa, Nicaragua. [Solo backpacking on a budget in Latin America]

My friend Jeff suggested that we buy food in San Juan del Sur before heading to Playa Hermosa as he already spent a night there. Apparently, the place was small, offering food and beverages to the guests, but without shops. So if we wanted to keep it low budget, we had to be prepared in advance ;)

We went to the local market to buy fruits and some walnuts. Then to the 50m2 “supermarket”.

There are buses that can take you from the city centre to nearby beaches. It all started when tourists discovered Nicaragua as an alternative to Costa Rica. It is as welcoming and charming, but cheaper. The beaches offer good surfing, are clean and less crowded.

Playa Hermosa (meaning the Beautiful Beach) is located south, around 30 minutes’ drive from the city. In order to enter it, you have to pay an entrance fee (2$, if I remember properly) as you will be entering a private property! It is called Playa Hermosa ECOLODGE. There are some great features of this particular place - it is completely built out of wood, they use solar power, hire only Nicas (Nicaraguans) and they seem genuinely interested in preserving wildlife (f. ex. they are committed to turtles protection).

We were able to do a little bit of surfing the first day I arrived. But I was doing poorly. So… I got frustrated because my ego likes to be nasty to me from time to time ;) Do you know this feeling?

I wanted to surf so badly, I really missed it already as it’s been around 5 days since I last was able to do it! Chilling in charming spots was great, but I felt that this not why I came here in a first place. While I was sitting on my board and encouraging myself for another push, Jeff swam to me and said that he is heading to the shore because the waves weren’t good. I stayed for the last try, without luck, so, later on, I joined him on the beach.

Soon we discovered that, after verifying some applications, that day the surfing conditions changed and might remain difficult for the following days. The same evening, while drinking a cold beer and chatting with 4 other hostel guests (1 beginner, like me, 1 intermediate and 2 intermediate plus), I have heard the same – they would avoid surfing for now as the waves were too aggressive. Damn!

*Masterpiece;D taken by someone from an early shift staff. *

I woke up early the next day, I think it was before 6 am and I went for a jogging. I love that. Everywhere. Especially in a new place as you can discover it easier and quicker than by walking. So I was just running straight ahead.
Being able to jog on a coast shore… I was moved. That’s a true delight. I know it may sound tacky but this is how I am. I appreciate small pleasures. And the idea that I am healthy, running on a deserted beach while travelling the world…! I get humble and grateful that my life is made of those beautiful puzzles! Because even though I am constantly making mistakes and learning my lessons, I get to experience more than my “more serious and stable” friends.

That morning I was also offered a chance to share the beach with some majestic, freely running horses. That was a magical morning.

Sending Joy!
Kasia

• More about me here :)

• Some of my recent stories from South America:
  KasiaTravels on a budget: Solo backpacking - on a budget - in Latin America. (Part 1: “When you finally decide to do it!")
  Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 1)
  Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 2)