San Juan del Sur has become in recent years one of the most visited destinations in Nicaragua and without a doubt a point of reference for lovers of surfing, the beach and partying.

Located 141 kilometers from the capital, well connected and easily accessible, San Juan del Sur is presented to us as a picturesque, multicultural and young town.

Tourism in San Juan del Sur

The arrival of tourism has not diminished its marked identity and today, this traditional fishing village has become a center for the exchange of ideas and people, unique in Central America. The international community that lives there is very large.

San Juan del Sur is a box of surprises that contains an interesting mix of sun and beach, nightlife. Meeting people from all over the world and local traditions. Conversations on the beach and between tables in the bars and restaurants in the area can discover great new friendships.

San Juan del Sur grows between two hills, on the shores of a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay. Its beach, suitable for swimming but which appears and disappears with the tides, is usually crowded by local youths playing baseball or soccer, by tourists strolling and taking photos, or by surfers.

At the end of the bay, the remains of a suspension bridge that crossed the river take you to the Talanguera neighborhood. From here you begin the climb to the hill at the northern end of the bay, crowned by a monumental Christ the Redeemer that offers views that are well worth the effort of climbing.

History and architecture of San Juan del Sur

Although the architectural aspect is almost non-existent, a golden historical past is perceived in the Victorian houses on the boardwalk. These were built during the era of the Ruta del Tránsito, or Gold Route, which linked New York with California, to transport those who ventured out in search of gold. The boats arrived at the Atlantic coast and sailed the San Juan River, crossed Lake Cocibloca and then the passengers arrived by train to San Juan del Sur, where they boarded a boat to the port of California in the United States.

In total, a month’s journey, in which case, if they did it by land crossing the United States, it meant three months of travel, plus the risk of losing their lives in the continuous confrontations with the Indians. In fact, this was the first interoceanic canal in America.

Where to eat in San Juan del Sur.

The tourist offer in San Juan del Sur is high, on the beach there are several food stalls, restaurants, bars and places to have drinks. The offer is very varied and there is something for all tastes and pockets. There is an abundance of international food, pizzerias and restaurants of people from all over the world have become part of the community of San Juan del Sur.

For lovers of the native food, many of the restaurants in the town and on the beach offer delicious typical dishes with fresh fish and seafood.

If you have a smaller budget and prefer to eat cheap, you will find street food stalls at affordable prices, but these lack health monitoring, so we do not recommend them. Instead, there are local restaurants where for a little more money, you can eat well at affordable prices.

Hotels in San Juan del Sur:

If you are looking for a place to sleep or rest, in San Juan del Sur there is also a great offer of Hotels with all the comforts you need for your rest in a few pleasant days.

In our hotel guide you will find all the available options and the most recommended ones. Their contact information and links for reservations. There are all prices.

Cheap Hotels in San Juan del Sur

Sleeping cheaply in San Juan del Sur is possible since there are countless hostels and lodgings where you can sleep cheaply in a dormitory or in a private room. Within our Guide to hotels and lodgings in San Juan del Sur, you will find the best options to sleep cheaply and with all the security you need.

Cruise Tourism in San Juan del Sur

The municipality’s Port has recently begun to be expanded, an important entry point for tourists arriving by cruise ship to the town. San Juan del Sur is becoming a very important Cruise port, both nationally and throughout Central America.

At the port of San Juan del Sur, thousands of tourists disembark every year to visit the city and the surrounding areas for a day and then continue their journey to the next destination. Cruise tourism is fast and swift, but it is arriving in force in the city and every day they arrive, they revolutionize this coastal town.

Places to visit in San Juan del Sur

In San Juan del Sur, visitors find a wide range of services and activities to do, most of them related to the sea. The offer is very varied and in the city you will find several companies destined to satisfy your vacation needs.

In our guide to places of interest, you will find all the beaches in San Juan del Sur for you to visit and get to know the surroundings.

Surfing is perhaps one of the most popular activities in San Juan del Sur. In the area there are beaches for all levels and it is a perfect place to learn and spend a few days surfing. There are several surf schools dedicated to this and many tourists come here to do this activity.

You can practice swimming, sport fishing, scuba diving, sailing, jet skiing, fly boarding, whale and dolphin watching, surfing, private yacht tours, canopy, horseback riding, yoga and spa, language schools, parachute jumping… and a great nightlife offer.

Beaches in San Juan del Sur

There are many beaches in the municipality of San Juan del Sur where you can spend the day, practice water sports such as surfing or enjoy a long walk during the sunset.

In our section of Places of interest in San Juan del Sur, you will find a link to each of the beaches with photographs and directions to get to them.

See turtles at Playa La Flor.

Another very popular activity is turtles. During the spawning season, you can see many of them on the beaches. Mainly at Playa la Flor. Where there is a wildlife refuge intended to protect and preserve the fauna and where spectacular tours are held.

The site, prepared for this, is a natural attraction without equal in all of Central America. If you coincide on your trip with the massive arrivals of turtles, do not miss the opportunity to see this unparalleled natural spectacle. Of course, follow the instructions of the park rangers, do not alter their cycle and, above all, be respectful of nature.

You can go on an organized trip with any of the agencies and tour operators in San Juan del Sur.

Parties in San Juan del Sur

During Easter and Christmas, the town is filled with parties and people celebrating, both foreign and national. If you are in the area during those dates and you like to party, it is an excellent opportunity to do so. The beach becomes a huge massive party and you will meet people from all over.

Patron Saint Festivals in San Juan del Sur

They are held in honor of San Juan Bautista, around June 23, the shortest night of the year and one of the nights with the most festivities in the world. In some cultures it is said to be the night of the witches, in others it is celebrated with fireworks… If you are traveling around that time, San Juan del Sur is highly recommended to visit.

Other festivities celebrated are Christmas and New Year’s Day. As in all destinations in the country, both dates are celebrated with great enthusiasm by everyone, so you will find a wide variety of offers to celebrate it. Of course, keep in mind that during these dates the place is full of people, so we recommend that you make a reservation in advance at hotels and lodgings in San Juan del Sur.

Also, you should keep in mind that hotel prices during Christmas and New Year, as well as during Easter, vary due to the high demand for the tourist destination. So you should not be upset if you see that everything has become more expensive, as hotel rooms and lodgings sell out quickly. The best option in this case is to make a reservation well in advance and ensure a place to enjoy these special dates.

Transport in San Juan del Sur

Getting around San Juan del Sur is easy and you will do it on foot, the town is small and very safe, so there is no need to use taxi services to get around it.

San Juan del Sur is the perfect town to spend several days discovering its numerous beaches, located in two large blocks, the beaches to the north of the town and the beaches to the south. They have two main access roads and you can get to them with any of the transport companies that are dedicated to this.

Taxis are usually a very popular resource to get to the surrounding beaches and there is no stipulated rate for this, so most taxi drivers take advantage of the situation and charge outrageous amounts to tourists who do not know the relationship between the price of transport.

Our advice for getting around:

Ask the reception of the hotel or accommodation where you are staying in advance about the price of transport, they will always help you so that you can go where you want and enjoy your holidays in the best possible way. Likewise, they will often recommend transport companies and taxis that use established rates.

Motorcycle and vehicle rental in San Juan del Sur

If you prefer to discover on your own, there are many companies dedicated to renting motorcycles or other vehicles in San Juan del Sur. The best and most recommended ones can be found in our directory of companies that offer activities and services. All of them comply with the legal and safety requirements to work and develop tourist activities.

If you have to move to the city of Rivas, the best option is to use the shared taxis that are at the stop, on Avenida Central. They will charge you 50C$ and, as soon as they are full, they go directly to the city. There are always several taxis that wait for customers and leave on their turn, it will be much cheaper and it is totally safe.