Frequently Asked Questions

Amaru is situated in Northwestern Nicaragua, within the beautiful province of Chinandega. Our municipality, El Viejo, is known for its stunning natural beauty, friendly locals, pristine beaches, and world-class surfing waves. The nearest city, Chinandega, is just a 40-minute drive away.

The closest airport to Amaru is the Managua Airport (MGA), located about 3 to 3.5 hours away from our resort.

To enter Nicaragua, your passport needs to be valid for 6 months.

All visitors entering Nicaragua are required to purchase a Tourist Card for $10 USD.

Visas are generally not required for stays up to 3 months.

Citizens of some parts of Eastern Europe and Latin America, and many African and Asian nations, need visas to enter Nicaragua, while others can apply for a visa on arrival. Check the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry website: www.migob.gob.ni for the full lists.

Amaru offers scheduled airport transfers to align with common flight arrival and departure times. These transfers are available on Saturdays, allowing guests to fully enjoy our 7-day surf and yoga programs. The included airport transfer times are:

Pickup Times: 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm (Saturdays only)

Drop-off Time: 11:00 am (Saturdays only)

Yes, we can arrange private transport for you at any time, regardless of your arrival hour. The prices per vehicle/one way are:

• 1-2 persons: $130 for taxi sedan

• 3-5 people: $150 for micro bus

• 6-10 People: $170 for micro bus

We strongly recommend having travel insurance to cover any delays or cancellations during your journey to Amaru to avoid fees charged by the private transport company.

Our transport company requires a 5-hour advanced notice if your flight is canceled or changed. This prevents unnecessary travel from Chinandega. If the driver arrives at the airport and must return due to a cancellation, you will incur the missed transport charge.

Keep receipts for travel insurance compensation if your flight changes.

Fees:

If your flight is delayed for more than 2-4 hours, an extra $20 fee will be added to your bill at Amaru.

If your flight is canceled and rescheduled for the following day, you will incur the fee for the missed transport and the new one organized for the next day.

The immigration cost will be $10 usd per person for their tourist visa. They may ask for the following information :

Address: Amaru Nicaragua, Punta Aposentillo, Chinandega, Nicaragua

Phone number: +505 8898-8878

Person of contact: Roger Anduray

ID # of Roger: 888-241153-0000E

After clearing customs, proceed through the doors keeping you inside the airport hallway. Walk approximately 100 feet down the hallway until you reach the Alamo Rent-a-car stand. Your driver will be waiting there with an AMARU sign. If your driver is not immediately visible upon arrival, please contact me via WhatsApp, and I will have him come from the parking lot.

Feel free to reach out with any additional questions about your arrival.

Gerritt's Whatsapp #: (GM Amaru)  

+50587641722

Roger's Whatsapp #: (Owner of Amaru)

+50584549680

Carlos Paiz # : (Transport Company Owner)

(Speaks Spanish only)

+50583212131

Yes, travel insurance is strongly encouraged since flight delays, cancellations, and itinerary changes are not reimbursed by Amaru.

We recommend World Nomads for its affordable rates and comprehensive coverage.

If you have a preferred provider, ensure your policy includes travel cancellation, delays, and medical coverage for accidents or injuries.

It's highly advisable to purchase travel insurance at the same time or shortly after making your initial deposit with us.

Nicaragua is much safer than many people believe. The Nicaraguan people are extremely friendly and helpful. If you've traveled to Mexico, El Salvador, or Costa Rica, you've been in countries of equal or higher risk than Nicaragua.

Amaru is located in a safe and friendly small fishing town and we can safely say that you will fall in lovee with the authenticity of the people and culture here.

For more information, check out these resources:

World Packers Safety Travel Article

Kidnapping and Crime Statistics Nicaragua

Yes, Amaru has fully stocked medical kits on-site. We also equip our vehicles with medical kits for surf trips and guided adventures.

The public Teodoro A.S. Kint Clinic is just a 10-minute drive from our property. For more extensive medical care, the main Hospital Amocsa is located in Chinandega, which is a 40-minute drive away.

We accept the following payment methods:

Credit card

Wetravel payment link

ACH (Automated Clearing House)

Cash (preferred)

Please note:

Cash payments receive a $50 discount.

Wetravel online payments include a 3% surcharge.

Credit card payments include a 6% surcharge.

Potential additional costs may include:

Airport transfer (if not arriving at a set pickup time)

Fees for medical or travel insurance

Gratuities and taxes for personal services

Alcohol

Additional massages

Additional activities/excursions

Surf media package add-on

Specialized full-day advanced surf expeditions

USD ($) is widely accepted throughout Nicaragua, so there is no need to exchange money into the local currency of Cordobas (NIO) if you have USD. However, businesses do not typically accept Euro or British Pounds, so these currencies will need to be exchanged for either USD or NIO.

To reserve your surf and yoga package with us, you need to make a deposit of 50% of your total payment.

You can reserve your package by:

1.) Sending us an email to receive a payment link

2.) Selecting the package of your choice and clicking the “book now” button.

The nearest ATM is located in El Viejo, which is a 35-minute ride from Amaru. We recommend bringing enough cash for any additional activities, tips, or purchases.

While most extra activities, alcoholic drinks, and Amaru merchandise can be paid for with credit cards at the bar, it's still advisable to bring around $200-500 in extra cash. In Nicaragua, there is a 6% service fee for using credit cards. Additionally, artisan shopping, tipping, and expenses like motorbike rentals require cash payment.

If you enjoyed your experience at Amaru, we suggest a tip of 10% of your total package price, which is distributed among the general staff (kitchen, maintenance, bar, housekeepers). You can place this tip in the general tip box at the bar or give it to one of the administrators when closing your tab at the end of your stay.

Please note:

Surf and activity guides are contracted workers and are not included in Amaru’s general staff. If you were satisfied with your guide/instructor's service, you can personally deliver them a tip or give it to our administration to pass on to them.

If a specific staff member made a difference during your stay, you can also personally tip them. Please specify to them that this tip is specifically for them to avoid confusion.

Nicaragua's dry season spans from November to May, with peak temperatures experienced in April and May. This season offers sunny weather and clear starry skies at night. Spring marks the beginning of mango and avocado season, adding to the abundance of nature’s bounty. For beginner surfers seeking waves in the knee to shoulder-high range and gentler conditions, the dry season is ideal. It's a perfect time to try surfing for the first time or enhance your skills.

Nicaragua's wet season, from June to October, brings vibrant greenery and rejuvenation as the rains nourish the land. This season is favored by intermediate and experienced surfers seeking fewer crowds and more challenging waves. It's the prime time for renowned surf spots like The Boom, along with other point breaks and reef breaks that offer larger swells. While there are still protected areas suitable for learning, guided surf trips are better suited for experienced surfers during this period.

In Northern Nicaragua, the rainy season offers mostly sunny or slightly overcast days, with rain typically occurring after 4 pm and into the night. Despite the name, the rainy season brings a sense of freshness and vibrancy to the region. The landscape bursts with lush greenery, and the jungle teems with life. These months represent some of the most breathtaking times of the year in Nicaragua.

Average air temps are around 83 °F or 30°C.

The average sea temps are around 77-80°F or 28-29°C.

Absolutely! Our kitchen staff is experienced in catering to various dietary needs and preferences. Whether you have specific requirements or preferences, we ensure that you receive nutritious meals without compromising on quality or quantity.

You'll find convenience stores in town offering fresh produce, fruits, and essential toiletries. Additionally, local artisans often set up markets on our hotel grounds. We also have a selection of gifts and goodies available for purchase.

Three daily meals are provided.

Start your day with our breakfast bar, offering homemade granola, bread, and coffee or tea, available all day.

Help yourself to our snack menu for a little something between meals.

Enjoy smoothies, wellness elixirs, and fruit juices from the Amaru Wellness bar.

Please note: Sodas and alcoholic drinks are available at the bar for an additional cost.

Asseradores is a small town, but there are about five other local restaurants that are open throughout the week. We are happy to help arrange reservations and outings if you want to go out to dinner or explore other venues.

The restaurants are quite spread out, so vehicle transport (included in your package), or renting a motorcycle, is recommended as there is not a taxi service in town and they are quite a far walk.

While all your meals, snacks, and wellness drinks are included, we understand you might have specific dietary needs or preferences. If you need to store supplements or buy products in town, we have fridge space available for your convenience.

Please refer to the all-inclusive packages page to discover all the perks included in your package

The electrical outlets are US and run on 110v.

Our showers are designed without hot water, but the water is sourced from our artesian wells and is of excellent quality, safe to drink. The water temperature is refreshingly cool, perfect for the tropical climate.

Yes, we have WIFI around the communal area and in the rooms.

We have three artesian wells providing drinking water at Amaru. While tap water is safe to drink, we also offer Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtered water at the bar and a refilling station in the main rancho. Bring a refillable water bottle to help us reduce plastic waste and stay hydrated during your stay.

Our custom-built plumbing at Amaru allows guests to flush toilet paper down the toilet. However, we kindly request that you refrain from flushing feminine products or other paper products.

Laundry service is available at Amaru for a fee of $5. Simply bring your laundry to the bar area with your name and room number written on a small bag provided. Your laundry will be added to your tab and returned to your room within 24 hours, neatly folded.

Sometimes, storms may cause power outages. However, we have two backup generators that keep fans and lights operational in our guest rooms during these instances. Please note that air conditioning units may not function during power outages.

Yes. Motorcylces can be rented for $20 USD per day

Absolutely! Each member of your group can book different packages based on their preferences. The pricing for each package is determined by the number of members sharing a room. When selecting your package, choose the pricing option that corresponds to the size of your group sharing the room.

Yes. While our minimum stay requirement is 3 nights, we understand that flexibility is key to accommodating your holiday schedule. Simply send us an email with your preferred number of nights, and we'll create a custom package just for you. Unfortunately, our booking platform doesn't support customizable calendars, but we'll provide you with a personalized link to book your stay.

Children between the ages of 1-3 yrs old are free.

Children between the ages of 4-8 yrs old have a 30% discount on packages.

Children older than 9 yrs of age are charged normal package pricing.

When we mention shared rooms, we typically mean that they are shared among members of the same party, such as couples, friends, or families. However, if you prefer to have your own private room within your larger group, please let us know via email. We'll adjust the pricing accordingly to accommodate your request for a private room.

Please refer to our terms and conditions page here.

Here is a packing list to help inspire some important goodies to bring with you.

Yes. Amaru beach below our stairs is very safe for swimming and surfing, and is usually only about knee deep. There are no dangerous currents or hazards, and it is the most protected beach in the surrounding area.

Yes, we have excellent options for beginners.

The prime months for gentle, beginner-friendly waves are November through April. Our surf school program is expertly crafted to guide you toward the perfect waves to enhance your surfing skills, regardless of your current level.

During our swell season from May to October, there are sheltered beaches ideal for beginners. However, we highly recommend having a surf instructor during this period to ensure safety and provide valuable local insights for finding suitable waves.

You can easily book all our activities right here at Amaru upon your arrival. There's no need to reserve spaces ahead of time

Here is a list of our additional activities and wellness programs.

As part of our surf school package, we offer video analysis of your surf sessions, integrated into your coaching sessions to enhance your progress. These videos primarily serve instructional purposes and are included in your surf school package. 

Additionally, we provide the option to hire our in-house water photographer to document your surfing journey and capture memorable moments with our Surf Media Package add-on, priced at $250 USD.

Yes. We recommend bringing any shoes, school supplies, old clothes, or anything for children.

In this part of Northern Nicaragua we do not have any deadly insects or animals. During the dry season we do have scorpions and tarantulas, but neither are aggressive or poisonous.

We do recommend closing your bags and knocking off your shoes left outside as a precaution.

Nicaragua's coastal waters are generally safe, with few significant dangers. While stingrays may occasionally be present, especially between December and February, encounters are infrequent and precautions can be taken to avoid them.

As we are in the tropics there are mosquitoes and no see-ums from time to time, mainly coming in greater numbers closer to the full and new moon. Make sure you bring bug repellent and loose fitting clothing as preventative measures.

In this part of Northern Nicaragua there have been very few cases of either of these over the course of the last decade.

We have a pack of furry friends of our own, being 3 dogs and 4 cats, so as to respect their home we ask that you kindly do not bring your animal with you.

In the case that you do want to bring your own furry friend there is an additional $20 per day cleaning fee for the room.