Your Guide to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur is probably Nicaragua’s best-known beach town, but the town itself is only part of the fun.

The real draw is having San Juan del Sur as your base while you bounce between surf beaches, eat your way around town, watch ridiculously good sunsets, and generally spend as much time as possible near the water.

We spent four nights here and rented a car for two days specifically to explore the beaches around the area. Here’s what I’d actually prioritize when visiting San Juan del Sur.

1. Wander Around San Juan del Sur

Start with a wander around town. San Juan del Sur is small enough to easily explore on foot, with colorful streets, little shops, cafes, restaurants, and the local market all clustered around the bay.

It’s not a town that needs a checklist. Give yourself an hour or two to wander, browse the shops, grab a coffee, and see what you stumble across.

2. See San Juan del Sur From Above

The giant Cristo de la Misericordia statue watches over San Juan del Sur from the northern end of the bay, and hiking up to it is one of the classic things to do here.

We actually started heading up but ultimately skipped it due to the traffic and hordes of people. The funny thing is, we already had an incredible view from our accommodation on the opposite hillside, so we didn’t feel like we missed out on much.

Which brings me to my other recommendation: stay above San Juan del Sur if you can. You sacrifice a little walkability, but waking up to the entire bay below you is pretty damn nice.

3. Go Surfing

San Juan del Sur is a major surf base, although you generally won’t surf right in town. Instead, head to nearby beaches like Playa Remanso, Playa Maderas, and Playa Hermosa.

Exactly where you should surf depends on your ability and the conditions that day, so beginners are better off going with an instructor who can choose the right spot.

We surfed at Remanso and rented boards right on the beach. It was busy and the waves weren’t amazing that particular day, but they were approachable and we still had a fun few hours out there. If surfing is THE priority, Popoyo up the coast is worth adding too.

4. Beach Hop Around San Juan del Sur

You could easily spend days beach hopping around San Juan del Sur. Playa Remanso has an easy hangout-and-surf vibe, Playa Maderas is one of the area’s best-known surf beaches, Playa Hermosa is a huge stretch of sand, and Playa Marsella is quieter and more laid-back.

And those aren’t even all of them. We also made it to Playa El Coco, Playa Escameca, Playa El Yankee, and a few smaller beaches around Maderas.

I’ve got a whole separate guide to the best beaches in San Juan del Sur breaking those down, because there is WAY too much to get into here.

5. Hang Out Along the Bay + Watch Sunset

Don’t get so busy running to the surrounding beaches that you completely ignore San Juan del Sur’s own bay.

This isn’t really the beach you come to for surfing. The protected bay is filled with fishing boats and sailboats, and the waterfront is lined with restaurants and bars, making it much better for a stroll, a drink, and sunset.

We grabbed ceviche and beers at Dockside and watched the sun go down over the water, which is about as complicated as an evening here needs to be.

You’ll also find Cara del Indio around the southern end of the bay. If you go exploring around the rocks and tide pools, check the tide and wear something better than flimsy sandals.

6. Eat + Drink Around Town

One thing San Juan del Sur definitely isn’t lacking is places to eat and drink. A few spots we actually liked:

• Dale Pues: Our favorite. Nachos, fish tacos, and really good fresh lemonades.
• ORIGEN Gallery & Coffee Shop: Cute coffee shop and little store that roasts its own beans.
• Simon Says: A secret-garden-ish spot where we had fresh smoothies and a fish sandwich.
• SUPERFRUTTO: Gelato. Enough said.
• Dockside: Fish ceviche, cold beers, and a front-row seat for sunset.

7. Cool Off at a Pool

If you’ve had enough sand for the afternoon, there are also a few pools around town where you can hang out with a drink.

We stopped by Social Pool & Patio, a second-floor pool and patio tucked right in town, and Bottoms Up, a leafy multi-level spot with a small pool, juices, food, and drinks.

Day-pass policies can change, so check with them directly before showing up specifically for the pool.

To be fair, we just came for a drink as we had a great pool at our hotel!

8. Experience the Nightlife

San Juan del Sur is also Nicaragua’s big beach-party town. Bars get going after dark, and the famous Sunday Funday pool crawl is still one of the biggest parties here.

We weren’t here for the party scene, so I’ll leave the late-night research to you, but Arribas Bar is one of the longtime nightlife spots right by the beach and the final stop for Sunday Funday. If partying is part of your Nicaragua plans, SJDS is definitely the place for it.

9. Try Another Adventure Around San Juan del Sur

If you’ve had enough surfing and beach hopping, there are a couple of other fun ways to explore San Juan del Sur.

• Explore by ATV: Customize your private ride around beaches, jungle trails, and landmarks like the Cristo statue. There’s also an option to add ziplining.
• Sunset catamaran cruise: Sail along the Pacific coast with time to swim, relax, and hang out on the beach before sailing back around sunset.

How Many Days Do You Need in San Juan del Sur?

I’d give yourself at least three days in San Juan del Sur.

That gives you time for town, surfing, and some beach hopping without racing around. Four days is even better if surfing is a priority or you want a couple of lazy beach days built in.

Where to Stay in San Juan del Sur

You basically have two choices: stay right in town for maximum walkability, or stay in the hills and trade a little convenience for those killer views.

Personally, I loved staying above town. Here are a few options depending on what you’re looking for:

• Tapihouse San Juan del Sur: A simpler, more budget-friendly option right in town and within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, and bars.
• Casa Elio Bed & Breakfast: A hillside option overlooking San Juan del Sur if you’re here for the views.
• Santa Cruz Luxury Loft: An ocean-view stay above town with its own private pool.
• Casa Cha Cha Cha B&B: Another option in the hills above San Juan del Sur with big views over the bay.
• HC Liri Hotel: Stay right on the beach at the northern end of the bay with a pool and easy access to town.

Getting Around San Juan del Sur

You don’t need transportation for San Juan del Sur itself. The center is small and easy to walk (though it can be hot).

For beach hopping, you’ll want some wheels. You can rent a car or scooter, grab taxis, or use surf shuttles depending on where you’re going. We rented a car for two days and loved having the freedom to bounce between beaches whenever we wanted.

The new Costanera coastal road now connects San Juan del Sur with many of the surrounding beaches, making exploring this stretch of coast considerably easier.

Is San Juan del Sur Worth Visiting?

Yep, especially if you’re coming to Nicaragua for beaches and surfing.

I wouldn’t come here just to sit on San Juan del Sur’s town beach for four days, though. The best part is using town as your base, then heading out to surf, explore the surrounding beaches, eat good food, and come back for sunset.

Give yourself a few days, get out of town at least once or twice, and definitely make time to surf. That’s where San Juan del Sur really shines.

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