San Juan del Sur’s setting makes it the premier coastal town of Nicaragua. Formerly a thriving fishing village, it now caters to tourism in addition to the surviving fishing industry, attracting local and foreign visitors, many deciding to stay beyond their vacation. Spectacular sunsets across the bay make the perfect setting to feast on fresh seafood or have a drink at one of the twenty beachfront restaurants. San Juan’s small community and colorful local scene are easily discovered on foot. Its atmosphere can range from tranquil local one day to busy party another, with visitors including surfers, business people, international backpackers, rich Nicaraguans, aide volunteers, yachtsmen, and students. Visitors can explore, surf and fish with little to no competition in clean, refreshing waters. Around Christmas and Semana Santa, locals flock here by the thousands.
Activities In Town
Some would say San Juan is all about relaxing and enjoying the water. In San Juan and the nearby beaches, swimming, boogie-boarding, surfing, fishing, diving, snorkeling, boating and sailing are the call of the day. Boat trips for these activities are easily arranged; ask at your hotel or a local restaurant. In addition to water sports, learning Spanish with a private teacher is popular. Visitors can hike to the lighthouse via the colorful marina or walk northeast of town to the antennas for views of the surrounding farms and coast. Bicycles are available for rent, enabling visitors to ride to nearby relatively untouched beaches and explore the countryside. At night, visitors kick-back at one of the many bars along the beach, dance at the disco, catch a movie at a bar or perhaps a bonfire on the beach, or do what many locals do, enjoy the night air and people-watch. On weekends, the town picks-up the pace as locals arrive from all over Nicaragua.
Excursions Nearby
Nearby pristine beaches offer tidal pools for exploring, solitude, or body surfing. Accessible by bicycle, local transport or even on foot, the following are the most accessible beaches. Playa Remanso, 6 km south, is a beautiful beach with tidal pools and milder currents. Marsella, Madera and Majahual, about 10 km north by road, are beautiful spots for swimming. Madera is the beach for surfing, arguably the most popular in the country. If lucky, you may see howler monkeys that live nearby. Other surf beaches include Playa El Yanke, 40-minutes south by road, and Popoyo, 2½ hours north, considered one of Nicaragua’s best breaks. To reach Popoyo, go to Rivas and, by bus or truck, take the rough road to Las Salinas. Once there, ask directions to the beach. Many surf beaches are not accessible except by boat. A popular alternative is hiring a boat in San Juan to take you to these secluded destinations. Several beaches offer secluded accommodations for the budget to up-market visitor. For an inland adventure, rent a mountain bike and explore the dirt roads heading south towards Ostional. Rivas, 20-minutes away, presents an opportunity to stock-up on necessities, enjoy the colonial buildings, and visit the Museo de Antropología. At La Flor Wildlife Refuge, 18 km south, you camp on the beach; however, the sea turtles this refuge is famous for are visible only July to January.
Services
Banks are plentiful in nearby Rivas; Internet and Internet phone; library; book exchange; laundry service; beachwear; real estate sales; and rentals of boats, bicycles, surfboards, boogie boards, and tents.
