Pochomil is one of the closest beaches to Managua and is a long, sandy stretch of miles of coastline.
Pochomil can be visited for very cheap, and compared to some of the southern Nicaraguan beaches, the ambience is more "no frills" and less geared toward foreign tourists. It's an easy day trip from the capital city, and the beach is easily accessible by car or by public bus (although the bus ride takes quite a while due to many stops along the way).
When driving to Pochomil, you will first reach Masachapa and then will need to turn left toward Pochomil. There is an entrance area where people are gathered to wait for cars to come. These vendors want to lead you to a certain restaurant or hotel and can be quite insistent. It may seem that they are charging an entrance fee, but don't pay them anything; there is no fee to enter the Pochomil area.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Pochomil is during the dry season (so you won't be rained out of a beach day!) and during a non-peak season.
On national holidays in Nicaragua, particularly around Christmastime, on New Year's Day, and during the Holy Week holidays, Pochomil fills with domestic tourists. It can be difficult to find places to stay or even to spend the day. Sadly, the beach is often covered with litter during "peak" times.
What to Do
As mentioned before, Pochomil is more laidback and less developed than, for example, San Juan del Sur, and thus there are not many establishments that specifically target foreigners. The beach is great for kids to relax and play along the coastline, as long as you take care with the sometimes quite strong surf.
Play in the sand. Bring some beach toys, or buy some overpriced plastic toys from one of the street vendors walking along the beach, and enjoy the sand.
Walks on the beach. There is ample space to play, walk, and run along the beach, especially at low tide, and along the beach there are a number of rock outcroppings to explore. Kids may enjoy collecting shells.
Swimming. The water is good for swimming, but be prepared for strong surf. Children should be closely monitored at all times.
Surfing. Surfers will enjoy the strong waves, and you will frequently see local kids surfing at Pochomil.
ATVing and Horseback Rides. You will see people renting ATVs and offering horseback rides for a fee along the beach.
Relax in a hammock. Find a rancho, restaurant, or house to spend the day, and kick back and relax!
Los Ranchos Típicos
The most affordable way to enjoy Pochomil is to spend the day at one of the many "ranchos típicos" that line the beach. Almost all of these restaurants offer the exact same thing: food and drinks, with pretty much the exact same menu at every restaurant; hammocks; plastic tables and chairs to sit at; parking under a thatched roof; bathrooms (often not in great conditions). The highlights of the menu will invariably be the seafood products, such fish or shrimp ceviche; whole fried fish, available in different sizes; and the "sopa marinera," a Nicaraguan classic filled with all sorts of shellfish.
(Side note on the sopa marinera - my husband swears by this as the perfect lunch after a night of drinking, but you could not pay me to sip on a hot, cream-based soup filled with shellfish and chunks of fish if I had a hangover. Pass me a bagel, please!)
Many of the ranchos allow you to bring a cooler with your own drinks and snacks, as long as you eat lunch there or consume some food and drinks.
Take care with leaving valuables out at the ranchos; it's best to lock anything of value in your car if you go down to the beach.
Places to Stay
If you are looking to spend the night or for something a bit nicer for the day, here are a few options.
Hotel Casa Pochomil. Casa Pochomil is a small hotel located down the beach from most of the restaurants, with a nice rocky area in front. Offers a small, shallow pool that is good for children, hammocks, and a restaurant. You can visit for the day or spend the night.
Barcelo Montelimar. Barcelo is an all-inclusive resort with a private beach and several pools, an all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as other amenities and entertainment. Day passes are sometimes available.
Gran Pacifica. Technically located outside of Pochomil, Gran Pacifica is a luxury resort and condo area that includes a hotel, restaurant, infinity pool, and houses, many of which are listed on Airbnb and similar webpages. The beach is essentially private, and there is another beach a 5-minute drive away. Gran Pacifica is popular with expats and foreign visitors.
Escuela Hotel Casa Luxemburgo. Operated by the Nicaraguan Institute of Technology (INATEC), Casa Luxemburgo is a technical school, so the meals, drinks, and hotel services are provided by hospitality students. The meals are included with stay and have a set daily menu. The hotel has a nice pool and clean beach area out front.
Hotel Summer Pochomil. Summer is a well-known franchise within Nicaragua. The hotel in the Pochomil/Masachapa area offers a pool, hotel rooms, and a restaurant as well as beach access in front of the hotel. Day passes are available.
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