Playa Las Penitas
Playa Las Penitas
4
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
523 reviews
Excellent
219
Very good
214
Average
65
Poor
15
Terrible
10
Judy W
7 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I live in Leon and go to the beach often, sometimes staying a day or two. The beach is not like going to the beach in California or Florida. Las Penitas offers local experiences with Nica's. There are several hostels, owned by local where one can enjoy the beach scenery. There are also hotels owned by Gringos who can provide excellent direction on things to do.
There are several options on getting to Las Penitas from Leon. One is taking the bus, which is $12 cords. However, on Saturday and Sunday, the bus can get very crowded and some may not want to share close quarters. The other option is taking a taxi, which can cost anywhere from $200 to $300 cords, depending on how many people and the taxi. During the week, the bus is a good option, but I do not recommend taking the 11:30 bus because it is full of kids getting off school and the bus stops quite a lot.
The beach is relatively clean and safe to walk barefoot. The water feels good and Nica's enjoy bringing their families. If you want to know more about the bus from Leon to Las Penitas, look in the Lonely Planet, the times are accurate.
There are several options on getting to Las Penitas from Leon. One is taking the bus, which is $12 cords. However, on Saturday and Sunday, the bus can get very crowded and some may not want to share close quarters. The other option is taking a taxi, which can cost anywhere from $200 to $300 cords, depending on how many people and the taxi. During the week, the bus is a good option, but I do not recommend taking the 11:30 bus because it is full of kids getting off school and the bus stops quite a lot.
The beach is relatively clean and safe to walk barefoot. The water feels good and Nica's enjoy bringing their families. If you want to know more about the bus from Leon to Las Penitas, look in the Lonely Planet, the times are accurate.
Written March 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia O
Waukegan, IL81 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
I took a taxi to go to the beach. Every one said to take the bus which is safe but 3 buses stopped and said they were not the bus to the beach. So after waiting for 45 min. I hailed a taxi and took the 20min ride to the beach. Once there, the driver gave us a choice (I didn't know there was one) Playa Poneloya or Las Penitas? I asked him which was the better beach and he said Penitas because it had a mix of tourist and locals. The other beach was full of tourist. I took his advise and we were taken to Rock Bar where we walked to the beach.
It was AMAZING (and I hate that word) but absolutely amazing. The waves were HUGE, at least to me and my son. We are used to the baby waves of Lake Michigan and the scary but small waves of the Caribbean. NOT THE PACIFIC! People were surfing waves! At one point, I thought it was too tough. My son had a blast going out to his chest and a wave at least 5 more feet above him, crashed into him and dragged him to the shore. He's only 11 and a good swimmer but still, the waves were huge. He had a blast and we stayed out in the water until the sun set, another AMAZING SIGHT TO SEE. A pacific sunset.
We had a good day a la playa and were sad to leave. Another time, another visit.
It was AMAZING (and I hate that word) but absolutely amazing. The waves were HUGE, at least to me and my son. We are used to the baby waves of Lake Michigan and the scary but small waves of the Caribbean. NOT THE PACIFIC! People were surfing waves! At one point, I thought it was too tough. My son had a blast going out to his chest and a wave at least 5 more feet above him, crashed into him and dragged him to the shore. He's only 11 and a good swimmer but still, the waves were huge. He had a blast and we stayed out in the water until the sun set, another AMAZING SIGHT TO SEE. A pacific sunset.
We had a good day a la playa and were sad to leave. Another time, another visit.
Written May 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingPirate13
Columbus, OH210 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Definitely worth the 20-30 minute ride from Leon! There are many places on the beach to set up and spend the day - enjoying drinks and food. You can try surfing here, enjoy climbing the rocks, or a walk down the beach to the interesting points on either side. Beautiful sunsets over the Pacific can be seen here without a lot of people. Please go spend a day or a weekend here if you can!!
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boszi_13
Dublin, Ireland39 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
We went for a day trip to Las Penitas from Leon. It was amazing to walk on the sandy beach and enjoying the waves of the Pacific ocean combined with the warm wind and the sunshine. After the long walk had a well deserved beer and a lobster in one of the restaurants. The food is very cheap and most of the hostels and restaurants have an ocean view.
I think this place is mostly for surfers because of the Pacific waves but we enjoyed our staying anyway.
I think this place is mostly for surfers because of the Pacific waves but we enjoyed our staying anyway.
Written April 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LucScheepmans
Brussels, Belgium54 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
After taking a local bus to the playas of Leon , you can take a local boat for 50 dollars to the natural parc and mangroves to see the wildlife (birds , aligators (we did'nt see 1)) . After 1 hour , you reach the place where turtles came to drop their eggs in the sand. Still continuing to the south (direction salineras) , you reach the banks where locals collect wild crabs after kicking them with a stick from the rocks. This playa is so quiet and beautifull !
Written February 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackson K
Taunton, MA11 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Las Penitas has great surf for Boogie Boarding at high and low tide. High tide brings out the surfers to ply the breaks by the rock outcropping. The beaches are sandy with seashells strewn about them for the beachcomber. If it is no Holy Week, then the beach is usually very sparsely populated, so wait until another beautiful sunset before you see any fellow travellers.
The main road is paved and well maintained, as is the road from Leon.
There are lots of great restaurants along the beach. I have only eaten at the Hotel Suyapa and Hotel Barca de Oro... both had excellent food and both took credit cards.
The main road is paved and well maintained, as is the road from Leon.
There are lots of great restaurants along the beach. I have only eaten at the Hotel Suyapa and Hotel Barca de Oro... both had excellent food and both took credit cards.
Written February 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dogontheroad
Nelson, Canada15 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
We enjoyed two weeks here. The surf is very strong at times and the sand really heats up during the day. While there was a lot of garbage over the holidays, there were cleanup crews who diligently picked it up. Barca d;Oro has great food and a relaxing vibe and Playa Roco is a good place to catch the sunset and some fish tacos. Bus service to Leon is awesome (even Christmas and New Year's Day) and most days we had miles of sand to ourselves for early morning walks.
Written January 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Szabin
London, UK435 contributions
Jan 2020
Nice, clean and quiet beach, a bit windy all the time.
Has several hotels and restaurants around.
There is a lake close by, worthed to get a trip.
Has several hotels and restaurants around.
There is a lake close by, worthed to get a trip.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
comphollic
New Jersey427 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
I went here in the beginning of September 2018. It's a short drive from Leon, using a taxi it was $10. This is the Pacific coast so expect "black sand." It's a long stretch of beach that you can walk for hours. Because of the political climate, there are fewer tourists in Nicaragua than usual. There are very limited eating options along the beach since many places have closed (more places are open towards the end of the road).
Overall, if you want a nice quiet beach day, now is the time to go because of the lack of tourists. I literally had the beach to myself for hours. If you want to go for a swim, you may have to walk for a bit until you find tranquil waters, the waves can be a bit rough. If you like fishing, there are rocks that you can fish from and I have seen locals catch decent fish there.
On the way back to Leon, I took the public bus in front of the Barca de Oro. The last bus is scheduled 6:45pm, but it might be best to be there at 6:30pm, you never know if it arrives a little sooner or later (in my case it arrived at 7PM). The buses do not stop, they arrive from Leon to Barca de Oro, make a U-turn and start driving to Leon right away - they do not wait so make sure you are there when it arrives.
If you are in Leon, and need some beach time, you can't go wrong going to Las Penitas.
Overall, if you want a nice quiet beach day, now is the time to go because of the lack of tourists. I literally had the beach to myself for hours. If you want to go for a swim, you may have to walk for a bit until you find tranquil waters, the waves can be a bit rough. If you like fishing, there are rocks that you can fish from and I have seen locals catch decent fish there.
On the way back to Leon, I took the public bus in front of the Barca de Oro. The last bus is scheduled 6:45pm, but it might be best to be there at 6:30pm, you never know if it arrives a little sooner or later (in my case it arrived at 7PM). The buses do not stop, they arrive from Leon to Barca de Oro, make a U-turn and start driving to Leon right away - they do not wait so make sure you are there when it arrives.
If you are in Leon, and need some beach time, you can't go wrong going to Las Penitas.
Written September 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian D
Brattleboro, VT387 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Seriously? Where can you get a room for $42 a night that sleeps three or four people or even more that's right on the beach? A beautiful beach!
There are about 25 little restaurants and posadas and hotels and only a handful of people. It is very poor in Nicaragua but I feel very safe and everything is very clean and the food is wonderful!
We are about a 1 Hour drive from the Managua airport and you can take a minibus that cost three dollars and rough it or you could hire a taxi to drive you here for about $50. The thing is that they cost about $20 to get from the airport to the bus station in Managua so you might want to just pay the small difference and just get driven right to the beach.
There are about 25 little restaurants and posadas and hotels and only a handful of people. It is very poor in Nicaragua but I feel very safe and everything is very clean and the food is wonderful!
We are about a 1 Hour drive from the Managua airport and you can take a minibus that cost three dollars and rough it or you could hire a taxi to drive you here for about $50. The thing is that they cost about $20 to get from the airport to the bus station in Managua so you might want to just pay the small difference and just get driven right to the beach.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What bus station in Leon does the bus leave to las Piñitas?
Written July 26, 2015
Yes you could get a taxi, and might be more economical if you could share one with others at your hostel or lodging. I don't recall the name of the bus terminal but it was not one of the larger ones. I think it was the "yellow bus" but best to ask. Perhaps just drop into a hostel and inquire. IF I recall correctly, the bus comes to a divide with a sign to Las Penitas to the left, but goes straight. But just goes a short distance and then turns around and heads the direction you want. Perhaps tell the bus driver you want to go to either the PLAYA ROCA or Casa de Patricia (a little past Playa Roca) and that should help.
Written July 27, 2015
Richard E
Nashville, Tennessee
how far are you from the airport and can I walk there or do you have a free shuttle.
Written February 9, 2015
KPR77 gave a very thorough answer so I won't add to that other than to say that while my spouse and I have been completely comfortable on the local buses in 4 months of living here, doing the negotiations to get from the Managua airport to Las Penitas sure would be easier if you had some Spanish. And you will also want to be a person who is comfortable with perhaps being totally crammed into a tight space, as they really load the buses up. If you were travelling with big suitcases, going by local bus would be quite uncomfortable and even maybe impossible, as we've been in situations where the overhead bins weren't big enough to hold our backpacks, which we had to put in our laps instead. A wheeled suitcase in your lap would not be quite so easy! Also, the place where the buses pull in at Leon is a bit of a crazy scene - safe, just crazy - and that might be intimidating for travellers who aren't used to Central American bus travel.
As for shuttle options from hotels at Las Penitas, we spent a very happy week over Christmas at the beach but saw no hotel that would be of a sufficient size to be sending shuttles all the way to Managua to get people. However, there are private shuttles that you could hire to take you from the airport to Las Penitas, but they definitely won't be as cheap as the local buses. I see Tierra Tours has daily shuttles between Leon and Granada, so maybe they're an option, as Managua is in between those 2 cities. TripAdvisor won't let me give you the URL for Tierra Tours, but if you google "shuttle nicaragua" you'll pull up their site and others. But we've never used a shuttle here, so I'm not able to recommend a specific one.
Written February 10, 2015
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