Popoyo Surf Lodge (PSL) started as a very grassroots, rustic “surf camp” in the summer of 1999. It has been family-run and operated ever since. During that time, horseback was the main form of transportation in the pueblo. PSL had the only vehicle in the zone, the internet was nonexistent, and weeks passed without seeing another person (besides a local fisherman) on the beach or at surf breaks. Water and electricity were scarce at times, and meals were cooked on wood fire stoves. Surfing was obsolete in Nicaragua, and over time, as more and more friends came down to surf and stay at PSL, a need for a different business model became apparent. A bold move was made to expand Popoyo Surf Lodge into a resort-style surfing establishment offering all-inclusive guided surf packages with 4×4 trucks, boats, and all-day surfing with experienced local surf guides. We moved away from the more rustic “surf camp” model. Nicaragua is a beautiful country with a vibrant culture, endless waves, and offshore winds 90% of the time. Nicaragua quickly became a world-class international surf destination. Over the next few years, PSL’s little slice of paradise was on the map. Other surf hotels and businesses popped up, most modeling PSL’s set up. PSL became the catalyst for the start of surf tourism in a country where surfing was completely unknown. 27 years later, PSL remains the ambassador of Surf Tourism in Nicaragua.
Fast forward to 2026, and the business model that has worked for so long at PSL has not changed. Over the years, PSL has kept it’s standards incredibly high. We stand behind our belief that surfing and having an awesome experience in Nicaragua are at the core of our operation. We strive to provide a week of vacation time that allows clients to surf all day, come back to the lodge, chill out, and feel like the day was a complete and epic success. Our goal at PSL is to provide our clients with an atmosphere where they can maximize their surf time while remaining in a relaxed environment. At PSL, we handle everything; the design is a no-hassles, no-worries surf trip for our clients.
At the core of Popoyo Surf Lodge is a deep, enduring love for Nicaragua. While other surf camps and hotels may mimic our setup, PSL stands apart through a 27-year legacy of excellence. We maintain a gold standard: seamless customer service from your first inquiry, sunrise to sunset surfing via boat or truck, and giving our clients the satisfaction of a real surf trip.
We are more than a lodge; we are part of the local fabric. Our entire team is Nicaraguan—most of whom have been part of the PSL family for over a decade. By prioritizing local employment, we invest back into the community that has hosted us for nearly three decades. Our mission isn’t just to provide a surf ‘trip,’ but to offer a life-changing immersion into a vibrant culture, with 3-4 sessions a day in the water. Our model has stood the test of time, and PSL remains Nicaragua’s premier surf destination.
