Nicaragua Surf Camp

No experience is required. There are 14 different breaks nearby for all levels. Participants should be in reasonable physical fitness with the ability to swim and be comfortable in the ocean. There will be times on boats as well, so if you get motion sick let’s chat about potential solutions. 

Our staff screens all participants prior to approving them to participate in our adventures. 

Playa Gigante is a hidden gem in Southern, Nicaragua, offering a distinct and unique experience away from the bustling tourism scene of San Juan del Sur. The surf camp is situated at the south end of a quaint fishing pueblo on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Playa Gigante is a location with two beautiful and relatively empty sandy beaches, providing a tranquil and secluded atmosphere. Our hosts have been in operation since 2004 and appeals to those seeking a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience. We’ll benefit from the local expertise of a staff that has been with the lodge for over a decade, giving you an immersive experience. This trip offers a great chance to experience the uniqueness that Nicaragua has to offer, committed to showcasing the local culture, traditions, and natural beauty. Our host’s knowledgeable local surf guides and instructors provide quality instruction and guidance for surfers of all skill levels. 

On top of the stunning location and ample time in the water learning how to surf, Type3Life has added a hand full of immersive experiences while we are down there. We’ll do an evening sunset hike up a local mountain, have morning yoga sessions for those wanting to join, and daily workouts to push everyone physically. We’ll also travel to a neighboring village one night for a sauna, cold plunge, breathwork session, head out for some off shore fishing, and sail into the night with a local catamaran captain. 

Travel will consist of flying into Libera, Costa Rica and crossing into Nicaragua from it’s southern border. Flights are not included in the trips price and we’ll discuss flight options as we get closer to departure. All ground transportation is arranged with our host in Southern Nicaragua, and all food and drinks, including beers and cocktails are included. Once we land everything is taken care of! On the way home we’ll double back through the Costa Rican border and depart from Liberia airport. 

This is an in-town excursion. Most Type3Life trips take place out in the backcountry, so this is a bit of a departure from our typical adventures. We have comfortable lodging on the beach, with AC and WiFi, and ask participants to focus on getting the most out of this trip by breaking away from their digital chains and being present. 

One other change to our normal excursions is we’ll have the ability to explore nearby towns, enjoy a little nightlife, and have a drink or two. But again, we ask participants to be in the spirit of this trip from the outset, and know this is not a guys party week. We’ll be playing hard, and expect participation early in the mornings and late into the evenings. 

Surf Gear: All surf gear including boards, wax, leashes and other accessories are provided. 

**Wetsuits are not provided, and not required, but if you get cold easily a thin wetsuit is advised. Rash guards are also advised. 

General Packing: Participants should plan to bring a few changes of clothing including board shorts/swimsuit, rash guard, workout clothes, shore clothing (t-shirts and shorts), evening clothing (pants and a hoodie or warm top), running/hiking shoes, sandals, sunglasses, snorkeling mask and snorkel (if desired.)

Personal Toiletries: Hygiene is important and we recommend packing any personal needs like soap, bug spray, sunscreen, toothpaste, and toothbrush.

The Type3Life staff will hold multiple preparation calls to answer gear questions and help you prepare for the adventure.  

You will be responsible for getting yourself to and from Liberia, Costa Rica. Type3Life will set a time schedule for appropriate arrival and departure times, and we will provide the flights our Type3Life guides will be on if you’d like to get on those same flights. 

Once with the group in Costa Rica, all costs for the trip including food, lodging, transportation, tips, and any Park fees are included.

If you would like souvenirs those will be on you as the participant, please plan accordingly. Cash can be converted at the Liberia airport or your local departing airport if you want local currency (this is advised).

Our staff has decades of experience operating in the backcountry, and internationally, as professional guides, or as military leaders. Our staff is certified in wilderness medicine and trained to T3L’s high standards in risk management and group facilitation. 

We believe that being outdoors is a great way to manage your own mental well-being. As with everything we do, risk management is also a cornerstone at Type3Life. While we know everyone is tired of dealing with this, we do expect everyone to follow our COVID-19 guidelines while on our trips to help manage the safety of the group.

Local areas, guides, and activities may require different considerations for minimizing our risk for COVID-19 exposure and we appreciate you working with us during your trip to help keep everyone involved safe. At the very least hand washing and good hygiene is necessary in any international trip. We will communicate specifics with you upon signing up, but if you have any questions, please reach out to us

We recommend all of our participants look into purchasing their own personal travel insurance prior to the trip to cover them in case of unforeseen travel or medical issues that may arise.

T3L staff will have communications for emergency situations. In the unlikely event of an emergency, T3L will contact your emergency contacts. There is cell phone service and WiFi where we will be.

Our trips are all about getting out into incredible places with other men looking to push themselves outside of their normal comfort zone. What separates a T3L trip is our emphasis on individual personal growth balanced with our dedication to building a community of guys who have your back. We do have intentional moments of reflection built into each trip, but we focus on letting the people and the place come together organically for a unique experience each day.

All of our trips are designed to push participants physically and mentally. That being said, every man can benefit from our trips, not just the super fit. If this experience sounds cool, but you’re not sure if you’ll be able to do it, we recommend reaching out to us and we can talk about it. If we don’t think you can safely participate, we’ll find the right trip for you.

Each T3L trip is unique, but the commonality between each group is the community of guys that you leave with. With that, we just ask that you come ready to be a part of the group and treat your fellow members with respect.

From a physical standpoint, be sure to review the itinerary and make sure you are physically and mentally up for it. We have trips of varying difficulty levels and can work with you to find you the best option. Again, if you have any questions about your ability to participate in a specific trip, we recommend chatting with the T3L team.

Finally, we all love beer. In fact, the idea for this company may have come after one too many beers on a river trip. That being said, we believe that the experience we’re putting on is incredible enough that we do not need drugs or alcohol to dilute them. It’s about being the real you out in the real world. We do require you to leave any non-prescription drugs and alcohol at home.

Type3Life trips are not intended to be wilderness therapy. Our intention is to build community and create bonds that help men connect with one another. 

If you need therapeutic resources please reach out and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.