Doctor Surf Guesthouse

A great spot to take some time off. It sits in the hills above Maderas and has an amazing view. The beach is about a 10-minute walk away, with surf schools, board rentals, and small local restaurants nearby. There’s also an inexpensive shuttle to San Juan del Sur several times a day.

The facilities are nice: AC and ceiling fans in the rooms, a kitchen with a fridge, gas stove, dishes, glasses and utensils, and a pleasant pool off to the side. It’s also fairly close to the beach. But the owner/host was extremely rude. From the start, her attitude seemed off, and she brushed us aside, handed over the keys, and said to ask the cleaning lady if we had questions. A chair later fell apart while we were using it and kind of hurt one of our guests. We’d also been told we could check out whenever, but on our last morning they were trying to get us out early. The French host called and yelled that the arrangement had been made with her mother, but that she was dealing with us now. Those are the two main incidents I remember, along with a few other things. I’ve never had an experience like it. Be warned.

Quiet, pleasant place, very close to the beach.

We made a one-night Airbnb booking the day before we needed it. They only replied the next day, saying they don’t accept single-night stays. The site didn’t let us know they couldn’t accommodate us, and that caused a major inconvenience. I wouldn’t recommend it.