Guidebook for San Juan del Sur
Sightseeing
San Juan del Sur is a municipality and coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, in the Rivas department in southwest Nicaragua. It is located 140 kilometres south of Managua.
San Juan del Sur is popular among surfers and is a vacation spot for many Nicaraguan families and foreign tourists. Its population is approximately 15,553, consisting largely of families engaged in fishing or the tourism industry and foreigners from the United States, Canada and Europe. While the local economy was, for many years, based on fishing and shipping, it has shifted towards tourism in the last 20 years.
In October 2002, to mark the city's 150th anniversary, it was formally designated the "Port of San Juan del Sur" and a "Tourism City of Nicaragua." San Juan del Sur, set beside a crescent-shaped bay, was a popular resting place for gold prospectors headed to California in the 1850s.
Correspondingly, San Juan del Sur served as a hub for Cornelius Vanderbilt Lines. A statue of the Christ of the Mercy sits above town on the northern end of the bay. The Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia sits at on one of the highest points on the bay and is one of the tallest Jesus statue in the world.
82 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a municipality and coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, in the Rivas department in southwest Nicaragua. It is located 140 kilometres south of Managua.
San Juan del Sur is popular among surfers and is a vacation spot for many Nicaraguan families and foreign tourists. Its population is approximately 15,553, consisting largely of families engaged in fishing or the tourism industry and foreigners from the United States, Canada and Europe. While the local economy was, for many years, based on fishing and shipping, it has shifted towards tourism in the last 20 years.
In October 2002, to mark the city's 150th anniversary, it was formally designated the "Port of San Juan del Sur" and a "Tourism City of Nicaragua." San Juan del Sur, set beside a crescent-shaped bay, was a popular resting place for gold prospectors headed to California in the 1850s.
Correspondingly, San Juan del Sur served as a hub for Cornelius Vanderbilt Lines. A statue of the Christ of the Mercy sits above town on the northern end of the bay. The Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia sits at on one of the highest points on the bay and is one of the tallest Jesus statue in the world.
Known for the restaurant with a pool on Playa Coco One of the quietest beaches around San Juan del Sur. This is not a surfing beach...maybe a practice beach
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
playa la flor
Known for the restaurant with a pool on Playa Coco One of the quietest beaches around San Juan del Sur. This is not a surfing beach...maybe a practice beach
Shopping
Local small grocery store where you can get the basics for your vacation
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Palí
NIC-16Local small grocery store where you can get the basics for your vacation
Unknown to most people this newly renovated store has two parts. One side has all the little extras food and alcohol you cannot get at the local grocery store. There is also a very affordable clothing, shoes, purses as well. I have found beautiful sandals with rhinestones at this store for less than $10.00!!
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Miscelania Sánchez
Unknown to most people this newly renovated store has two parts. One side has all the little extras food and alcohol you cannot get at the local grocery store. There is also a very affordable clothing, shoes, purses as well. I have found beautiful sandals with rhinestones at this store for less than $10.00!!
Entertainment & Activities
There are many reasons to choose Rancho Chilamate.
They have healthy, strong, happy horses that are loved up and well cared for.
They have solid, quality tack that is regularly maintained
provide cowboy boots, sock and hats.
They transport you to and from San Juan del Sur in a secure, 4×4 Toyota HiLux pick up truck
They take photos of your ride and post them to our facebook page for your use.
They are passionate about Nicaragua – we are your guides on the tour and speak both English and Spanish
They are dedicated to the betterment and well being of our community.
They live in the local community and with the revenue from the rides, they are able to support many initiatives to help the locals with income and education
They abide by our philosophy to tread ‘softly’ and impact this area as little as possible. Touring on horseback is a natural, low impact way to travel.
Note: beach riding is their specialty, they want their riders to have the most unforgettable time in Nicaragua!!!!!!
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rancho Chilamate Eco Guest Ranch & Horseback Adventures
There are many reasons to choose Rancho Chilamate.
They have healthy, strong, happy horses that are loved up and well cared for.
They have solid, quality tack that is regularly maintained
provide cowboy boots, sock and hats.
They transport you to and from San Juan del Sur in a secure, 4×4 Toyota HiLux pick up truck
They take photos of your ride and post them to our facebook page for your use.
They are passionate about Nicaragua – we are your guides on the tour and speak both English and Spanish
They are dedicated to the betterment and well being of our community.
They live in the local community and with the revenue from the rides, they are able to support many initiatives to help the locals with income and education
They abide by our philosophy to tread ‘softly’ and impact this area as little as possible. Touring on horseback is a natural, low impact way to travel.
Note: beach riding is their specialty, they want their riders to have the most unforgettable time in Nicaragua!!!!!!
Located on the Continental Divide of the Americas, on top of a mountain at the highest point of San Juan del Sur, Parque de Aventuras Las Nubes offers the best views to the Nicaraguan Pacific Beaches also known as the Nicaragua´s Emerald Coast and also incredible views to the Volcanoes and Islands of Lake Nicaragua. From the comfort of 2 Elevated Viewing Decks, you can enjoy the spectacular sceneries and the best bird watching sites in the area. Spider Monkeys, White Faced Capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, Toucans and Hawks abound on the mountain tropical forest. Surrounded by a tropical forest, you can spend the day sitting on our hammock chairs and bamboo swings and listening to the sounds of the wildlife.
PACKAGES
CANOPY TOUR (ZIP LINES)
RAPPEL
WALKING TRAIL
IGUANARIUM TOUR
KIDS´ PLAYGROUND
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aventura Las Nubes - Canopy Tour / Zipline Park
Located on the Continental Divide of the Americas, on top of a mountain at the highest point of San Juan del Sur, Parque de Aventuras Las Nubes offers the best views to the Nicaraguan Pacific Beaches also known as the Nicaragua´s Emerald Coast and also incredible views to the Volcanoes and Islands of Lake Nicaragua. From the comfort of 2 Elevated Viewing Decks, you can enjoy the spectacular sceneries and the best bird watching sites in the area. Spider Monkeys, White Faced Capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, Toucans and Hawks abound on the mountain tropical forest. Surrounded by a tropical forest, you can spend the day sitting on our hammock chairs and bamboo swings and listening to the sounds of the wildlife.
PACKAGES
CANOPY TOUR (ZIP LINES)
RAPPEL
WALKING TRAIL
IGUANARIUM TOUR
KIDS´ PLAYGROUND
Very affordable and safe zip lines near San Juan del Sur with friendly staff and beautiful views.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Canopy Tour San Juan del Sur, Da'Flying Frog, Zip Line.
Very affordable and safe zip lines near San Juan del Sur with friendly staff and beautiful views.
Food Scene
Excellent coffee shop with books that serves excellent food dishes. Very popular tourist location!!!
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Gato Negro
Excellent coffee shop with books that serves excellent food dishes. Very popular tourist location!!!
Café Mediterráneo
Excellent coffee shop
Dorados Bar and Grill
Local sports bar
Local expat hangout that holds a farmers market every Saturday morning.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Big Wave Dave's
Local expat hangout that holds a farmers market every Saturday morning.
Excellent hour hour prices for sunset
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante El Timón
Excellent hour hour prices for sunset
King Curry
Avenida MercadoIf you love Curry.... This is the place to eat!!
Pizzeria San Juan
Best Pizza and pasta in town
Excellent food choices for dinner and a great place to sit and have either a hot coffee in the morning or a frozen latte during the daytime.
Jocelyn's
Excellent food choices for dinner and a great place to sit and have either a hot coffee in the morning or a frozen latte during the daytime.
Excellent food with excellent service in one of the better resorts in San Juan del Sur.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pelican Eyes Resort
Excellent food with excellent service in one of the better resorts in San Juan del Sur.
Absolutely the BEST place to buy bread, cakes and especially cinnamon buns in town
Panadería Pan de Vida
Absolutely the BEST place to buy bread, cakes and especially cinnamon buns in town
Parks & Nature
Famous beach where "Survivor" was filmed. For a small cost of a few dollars, this beach has showers, hammocks, restaurants, bathrooms, security and covered areas to lay back and enjoy the sunshine.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Hermosa
Famous beach where "Survivor" was filmed. For a small cost of a few dollars, this beach has showers, hammocks, restaurants, bathrooms, security and covered areas to lay back and enjoy the sunshine.
Local Popular Surfing Beach. This is where the party is at!!
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Maderas
Local Popular Surfing Beach. This is where the party is at!!
The closest beach to our subdivision. Very quiet with only two restaurants/bars.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Remanso
The closest beach to our subdivision. Very quiet with only two restaurants/bars.
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent appetizers with their own made beer on tap
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Juan del Sur Cervecería
Avenida MercadoExcellent appetizers with their own made beer on tap
Essentials
Laundry
Avenida Mercado