You know you've had an amazing trip when the first thing you want to do when you get home is write a review and plan your return trip and that... read more is my experience with Chica Brava. Front the start the booking was made exceptionally easy by Colleen, the incredibly responsive booking coordinator. She helped me with recommendations with flights and was extremely helpful. I decided to fly into Liberia (Costa Rica) as I could get a direct flight there and the team arranged for me to be picked up at the airport and driven directly to the house (you do have to change cars/drivers at the border but it was easy and safe). The drive to Cloud Farm is breathtaking and even arriving after dark the beauty was evident. Elsi was there to greet me along with the house team of Juan and his wife who fed us so well the entire week. I've had countless coaches over the years, teachers, and mentors, so it's no small feat to say that Elsi is one of the best instructors that I've ever had. Never having surfed before I was in the very best hands. Her instructions were clear, our safety a priority all the while having the most fun. In the water with us every moment, Elsi was our wave guide and our cheerleader. On land she was an endless source of information about life in Nicaragua and she went above and beyond in every way to make our stay the best it could possibly be. Alongside Elsi was another top teacher, Claire. Another excellent resource in and out of the water, Claire made my week not only a ton of fun but I actually felt like a surfer after just a couple of days.
The accommodations at Cloud Farm far exceeded my expectations, comfortable, clean, quiet and the most stunning views. Daily visits from the neighbouring animals, morning wake up calls from the howler monkeys and then there's the food. The breakfasts were hearty and healthy, always beginning with delicious Nicaraguan coffee, freshly squeezed juices and fruit. The dinners were beyond my expectations, after a long day of surfing we needed nourishment and Juan blew us away daily.
Our theory classes with Elsi were so helpful with feedback and videos from our earlier surfs we were able to learn in a way that feels unique to Chica Brava.
My heart wanted to stay forever but my body was ready for a rest at the end of the week, I'd definitely recommend trying to do some conditioning before your trip.
I will recommend this spot and this team to all the chicas I know and I hope to return one day very soon.
Advice for your return trip if transiting to CR, bring extra US$. You will definitely want to have some extra money to 'bypass' the crazy long lines at the border stops. I'd say to factor in an additional $70 including tips for both drivers. Without it you could be stuck in painfully long lines.
Thanks for everything Chica Brava

  Chica Brava was the BEST. Very well organized and smooth sailing! Already planning a trip back with them. The instruction was great and the video and feedback sessions were wonderful.... read more Stayed out the could farm and would 100% do it all over again!

  So, so beautiful. Such a beautiful experience -- from the surf to the amazing care we got at "home." I felt so loved at Chica Brava, all while pushing myself... read more mentally and physically to surf every day, which is hard, but so rewarding! I left feeling more like myself and proud of myself! Chica Brava is such a beautiful container to explore your full, human self in relation to the jungle, the surf, and other women. It's powerful. Go!

  I couldn’t have asked for a better experience at a surf camp or on any kind of trip. The instruction from Elsi, Claire, and Jenn was excellent! They work with... read more you at your level and I also felt very safe in the water with them. In addition to the professionalism that everyone had, they were also so fun to spend time with during our surf camp week! I was able to pop up on the surf board by the second day of the camp! It really was so empowering to be able to learn and do so much. Elsi was not only an amazing instructor but she was also a great host and drove us to the beach every day. She is an inspirational person! She is definitely the embodiment of a CHICA BRAVA! All of them were.

I stayed at the cloud farm and it was GORGEOUS! The house was kept very clean and we had spectacular views of the jungle and sea from the pool area and balcony area. HUGE wonderful breakfasts and dinners were included with the package and it was really good! Transportation was included to and from the beach and to and from the airport in Managua. Anytime I had any questions, the team was very responsive and the whole trip ended up being really easy.

I had never traveled to Nicaragua before and I was concerned that I would feel unsafe but my experience was the opposite. From the airport, to the shuttle and throughout the entire trip I felt it was extremely safe, and people were extremely friendly!

My flight got into Managua several hours before the shuttle was scheduled to arrive Colleen advised me to go across the street from the airport to the BEST Western while I waited and that was very comfortable- for $10 they let me use the pool facilities and use the $10 towards food and drink.

I thought for what you get the price was very reasonable. It even included two yoga classes and a massage! And you have the option of getting extra massages and other excursions such as horseback riding and jungle zipping. It including one afternoon on a boat w drinks and snacks!

I can’t praise this surf camp enough!!

  I traveled to Nicaragua with a friend and joined other friends of hers who traveled there from around the country to attend the surf camp. For them it was a... read more reunion, in addition to a great vacation. The surfing instruction was truly excellent. The coaches were encouraging and fun and knew just how hard to push. I hadn't surfed prior to the camp, and now I'm hooked. The accommodations were beautiful and comfortable. The food was delicious and plentiful. Every bit of the trip was awesome!

  I emerged from Covid lockdown totally numb to life. I'd never surfed before, but it is something I wanted to learn since I was a teen. From the first time... read more I hit the water with the board, I was brought back to life! I truly cried on the beach because the gorgeous vistas, adrenaline from my first time on the board, scent of sea salt and flowers in the air, it all reminded me that life is beautiful and fun! The rest of the week continued to be beautiful... and so much fun!

The beaches are gorgeous, the town is lovely, and Chica Brava really takes care of everything so you can focus on surfing and relaxing.

Elsie is the best surf instructor on the planet. She is patient, encouraging, and so helpful. She can see what you are doing right and what needs work, and succinctly tell you what you can do to improve. I always felt very safe, and Elsie even held the board more stable when the waves got choppy to help me get up. She coached me on spotting waves, which is very helpful as you start to surf without an instructor. Joaquilia is a caring and delightful friend and the warmest presence who can take care of you at the house. She is a wonderful cook and a sweet lady!

I appreciated the "Surf Theory" part of the camp, where we learned basic things you may not pick up naturally: Reading surf weather reports, etiquette and right of way, board care.... It's what you need if you want to go out on your own.

The extra activities and excursions were great and just what we needed. When our muscles were getting tight, we did a great yoga class. When we were sore, we got a wonderful massage. We especially enjoyed the horse riding excursion with Blue on her farm.

Since Chica Brava, I've gone surfing a few times, and I feel it gave me an excellent foundation and confidence. I miss Elsie, Jen, Joaquilia, and "Mister Nicaragua" our photographer, but I know this is now a sport I will enjoy for life.

Thank you, Chica Brava! I want to come back and show you my new skills soon