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Malibu Popoyo

Limon 2 Playa Santana, Popoyo, Rivas 48500 Nicaragua
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Traveler (178)
Pool & Beach (66)
Room & Suite (34)

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About

#1 of 16 Specialty lodging in Rivas
Location
4.6
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.8
Value
4.7
Malibu Popoyo has carefully curated a unique boutique hotel experience that offers the rich discoveries of Nicaragua in a laid-back beachfront environment. The hotel design balances contemporary style with thoughtful elements of Latin American housing in a very traditional sense. SURROUNDED by the boundaries of the sea, horizon, terrain and jungle the hotel is situated on one of the most beautiful bays of Costa Esmeralda The hotel implements the idea of SUSTAINABILITY in reliable ways. Consciousness of natural materials, manufacturing of organic products and collaboration with the local communities create the responsibility of Malibu Popoyo.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness classes
Free breakfast
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Shuttle bus service
Spa
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Hidden Gem
See what other travelers are saying
  • Carlos L
    Los Angeles, California1 contribution
    The absolute best!
    Just got back from a weeklong stay at Malibu Popoyo and made an account just to leave a review. I had an enormously fun time staying here. The rooms are really well designed and the layout of the hotel itself feels both communal and secluded. The native landscaping lends to the secluded feeling as well. The pool is gorgeous and you have a great view of it from the open-concept restaurant/bar. Beyond the great design, the staff was really warm and friendly. They learn your name (and help you with your Spanish if you want) and by the end of a weeklong stay they feel like new friends. The guided surf trips are great too - an expat resident runs the program and you're accompanied by two locals who have been surfing in that area since they could walk. They'll know exactly where to go for your skill level and where the best waves are at any time. Balance it out with yoga in their palapa and treat yourself to the wonderful food and drinks, go on some of their locally led cultural tours, have local cowboy Don Flavio take you out on a sunset beach horse ride, or just chill in the pool. Really recommend it and I'll be coming back for sure.
    Date of stay: November 2021
    Written November 27, 2021
  • Shirin G
    12 contributions
    Just amazing!!
    Amazing property and experience! Everything here exceeded my expectations - the hotel is lovely. The rooms are beautiful and super comfortable (the bed is heaven!). The food is delicious - fresh and high quality and the staff is just so ridiculously nice and helpful it makes the stay even more special. I love that they help guide you towards things you're interested in and accommodate for surfing based on level and interest. One of the most special parts was Jared, the head of the surf program. I haven't met a nicer and more knowledgeable person than him in all my travels. He really makes the experience over the top! Thank you for everyone, start to finish for making it an incredible stay that I will continue to go back to. I HIGHLY recommend this if you're going to Popoyo.
    Date of stay: December 2019
    Written January 7, 2020
  • Zia P
    1 contribution
    Exceeded all of my expectations!!
    I loved everything about my experience at Malibu Popoyo. The correspondence with staff prior to my trip was super efficient and detailed, they made me feel very safe and welcome and I had a great idea what to expect. The coordination of airport transfers despite my awful arrival and departure times was super helpful and the drivers they arranged were top notch. The space is beautifully designed and I literally wouldn’t change one thing about the set up or my room. The bed was literally the most comfortable bed I’ve ever had on vacation, the bedding etc top notch. Air conditioner and fan perfect and bugs a total non I issue. The food and drinks exceeded my expectations. Super fresh healthy and lots of options. The kitchen and bar staff very sweet and ensure a satisfying experience each interaction. I had no idea that Malibu Popoyo didn’t just have a surf board rental guy but a truly exceptional surf guide. Jared was beyond. Such a solid guy and unbelievably helpful with not only surf detail but I learned so much about the country, history, land and more. I Have been a surfer for quite some time and been to many places but had I’d known what a gem they had as a surf guide I would’ve stayed three times longer I’ve already told many people about this perfect place so maybe I should keep it a secret?
    Date of stay: May 2021
    Traveled solo
    Written May 18, 2021
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.
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Andrew B wrote a review Jun 2023
Dover, Delaware3 contributions
The team at Malibu knocked our recent surf vacation out of the park! First off the surf guides Dylan and Jared were incredibly knowledgable and happy to get us in the water as much as possible. The hotel had a great layout with excellent rooms and a great garden and pool area. The staff were fantastic and very accomadating, especially with the dining. The food was freshly prepared and they were happy to work with my dietary restrictions. All the staff were friendly, helpful, and hard working. We normally do not repeat trips very often, but we will likely be going back to Malibu Popoyo once a year.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
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Dennis L wrote a review May 2023
Denver, Colorado12 contributions4 helpful votes
I came to this little gem as part of a yoga retreat group. However, its easy to review the hotel and services independently of that. You have to kind of know this place exists, but once you have been, you'll dream about it. The sense of ease, and that nothing is rushed, and that everything you need (if not want) can be taken care of put me in a very peaceful and relaxed state. If not for the incredible beach 25 yards away I don't know if I would have had need to leave the property, despite its intimate size. We toured the farm that provides most of their food and it was incredibly impressive. Their commitment to sustainability is commendable for the level of comfort they are able to provide. From the managers to the activities staff, masseuses, cooks and servers, I felt cared for, that I was important to them, and they would do anything within their power to make my stay better. Its a 5 star level of service in what could easily be a 4 star resort if not for the constant extra attention to the condition of the grounds, the quality and care given to the food, and to the health and safety of their guests. There was really nothing better than ordering a Tona beer and sitting poolside for an afternoon of doing nothing. So many reviewers talk about Malibu Popoyo as a surf retreat. Because of where it is and the quality of their instructors, you might think that's all it was. But I'm not a surfer, and I can tell you I had a really nice time even without that as an incentive. If you're the significant other of a surfer, you're going to have a very nice time even if you don't take a lesson, I promise. I considered rating 4 instead of 5 for a couple of reasons: 1) the level of accommodation, service were wonderful considering the location, remoteness, and so on. But this is not a first world country, and so things like plumbing, electricity, and the like are not guaranteed. I think Malibu Popoyo does an AMAZING job keeping the sheets clean, the rooms beautiful and comfortable, and the air conditioning on 99.9% of the time. But that .1%, you're going to need to understand that some things are out of their control. You can't expect the Ritz. But boy do they try.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
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.
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Adam N wrote a review Apr 2023
San Francisco, California15 contributions6 helpful votes
We spent 7 nights at Malibu Popoyo at the end of March, all of the 5 star reviews are so deserved! The staff are incredible, the location is perfect, accommodations are super comfortable and clean, and the food is fantastic (and included in the rate, it was such a treat!). The surf guides are phenomenal, they cater to the needs of everyone there (ranging from people learning to surf up through making sure seasoned rippers have plenty of options). The daily yoga was also fantastic, the teacher is so thoughtful and was great at accommodating folks who were more experienced or helping tired surfers stretch out the muscles they needed to. It’s a very laid back vibe there and a highlight for us was the diverse guests, we made a bunch of new friends. We’re very eager to go back to this special slice of Nicaragua one day! Malibu Popoyo is a treasure.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
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.
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Mark L wrote a review Apr 2023
Christchurch, New Zealand1 contribution
We had a fantastic 7 nights at Malibu Popoyo, with 6 day’s surfing for the whole family. Malibu Popoyo had just the right vibe for us, with friendly helpful staff, fresh and healthy food in comforting and relaxing surroundings. I surfed twice a day, except for the afternoon we went horse riding instead, and all the family progressed their surfing over the week at a pace that worked for them. My highlight was a sunset surf on our last day with my daughter. Hopefully we will make it back someday!
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Bring plenty of sunscreen and anything else particularly to you. While there is a couple of local...
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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.
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Amy B wrote a review Feb 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina11 contributions4 helpful votes
We booked into Malibu Popoyo for our high school senior’s last spring break. He loves to surf and we love to travel, so it was an easy choice. Location was great for surf and guides were super knowledgeable (although some had less English than anticipated, but was great for our son who really upped his Spanish game during our week there). Food was amazing and fresh. Some of my family members were known to order multiple orders of ceviche at each meal. Yoga hut was great, as were the daily classes. For the non-surfers, we enjoyed hanging out at the pool and walking on the beach. Also took a sightseeing daytrip, which was more fun than we thought it would be. Room was very comfortable with a sleeping loft for our son (which was a a welcome change from a rollaway bed). We also enjoyed the other folks we met—mostly US and Canadian expats who had relocated to Costa Rica during the pandemic. Overall a great stay and would highly recommend.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
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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.
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Laura E wrote a review Feb 2023
3 contributions1 helpful vote
Can't say enough positive things about Maibu Popoyo. Staff is friendly, attentive and welcoming. Made us feel like a part of their family. Food was absolutely delicious, made with the freshest ingredients possible, i.e. straight from their farm, in exquisite presentations. Loved the rooms, with their concrete floors and bright accents, and the bed was SO COMFORTABLE. We felt so welcomed and taken care of without feeling entitled. The beach is uncrowded, great for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing with the right conditons. From yoga to massages, to surf lessons, as well as additional excursions, the staff arranged everything flawlessly. While we aren't the type that visit the same place repeatedly, we can't wait to return to Malibu Popoyo!
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Date of stay: January 2023
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
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.
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Lwolf2013 wrote a review Jan 2023
New York City, New York4 contributions
I was blown away by Malibu Popoyo. The hotel is gorgeous, not too big, has amazing food, the friendliest staff and best of all, surf guiding and lessons. I almost am reluctant to write this review because I don't want others to know of this amazing spot and have it become too crowded :) I came home yesterday and I am already plotting how to return
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Date of stay: January 2023
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: recommend a single room with the shower in the private courtyard
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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.
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Alec N wrote a review Nov 2022
2 contributions
Top notch experience all around! We couldn't be any happier with our stay at Malibu Popoyo. First off, I have to commend the staff. Truly incredible people! Attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. No ask or request was ever a nuisance, and you got the sense that they truly cared to make your experience the best. They were all so friendly and great! If you are interested in surfing (all levels are welcome), I really couldn't recommend a better place to go. The instructors are willing and able to accommodate all skill levels. Every day they work to pick the best spots for the guests to surf (morning and afternoon.) They are tuned in to all variables and consistently delivered fun surf sessions. I really appreciated that as a guest you don't need to overthink the surfing experience at Malibu Popoyo. Be ready for departure, throw your gear in the truck and join them for an awesome surf! I would highly recommend a day on the boat to see some of the different surf breaks. This was one of our favorite experiences. The food is delicious and always fresh! Also, they have filtered water available, which is a huge convenience. It's really an easy place to be comfortable and have a great time. We will definitely come again.
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Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
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maggie_travels wrote a review Sep 2022
1 contribution
Popoyo Malibu has a very laid back vibe, while have excellent service! My son and I had a great stay at Popoyo Malibu. We went to the beach for surf lessons. Yoga teacher was super. Room was clean and spacious. Remember you are in climate that has bugs so keep the doors closed and keep that in mind. Healthy Food the smoothies are excellent. Highly Recommend!
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Date of stay: February 2022
Cleanliness
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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.
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Cat S wrote a review Jun 2022
2 contributions
Best place to stay and surf in Nicaragua! Surf staff was awesome and took great care of us. The hotel was amazing. I'm a surf photographer and have been chasing surf all over the world for decades. Not only do I want great waves but I want a hotel room that I can return to from a hot day at the beach and relax. Best cocktails. Beautiful pool. Honestly the beds and rooms are so nice I didn't want to leave the room. I could have stayed in there all day and night. Hotel staff was awesome too. Definitely staying at Malibu Popoyo when I return to Nicaragua.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
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.
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PRICE RANGE
$240 - $322 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
NicaraguaRivas DepartmentRivas
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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MALIBU POPOYO - Updated 2023 Prices & Specialty Hotel Reviews (Nicaragua/Rivas)

Frequently Asked Questions about Malibu Popoyo
Which popular attractions are close to Malibu Popoyo?
Nearby attractions include Popoyo Beach (2.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Malibu Popoyo?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Malibu Popoyo?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Malibu Popoyo?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Malibu Popoyo?
Conveniently located restaurants include La Finca y el Mar, Magnific Rock Café, and Casa Ananas.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Malibu Popoyo?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and fitness classes during their stay.
Does Malibu Popoyo have airport transportation?
Yes, Malibu Popoyo offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Malibu Popoyo?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Is Malibu Popoyo accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.