Guidebook for San Juan del Sur
Food Scene
The whole experience is amazing in my opinion. Many of the locals, ex-pats, and tourists gather here in the morning for a cup of coffee, a smoothie, or some good conversation. One of the only places in Nicaragua where you can get superfood smoothies. They roast their own organic coffee beans onsite, so bring some extra cash to take home a pound of this delicious blend!
15 locals recommend
El Gato Negro
The whole experience is amazing in my opinion. Many of the locals, ex-pats, and tourists gather here in the morning for a cup of coffee, a smoothie, or some good conversation. One of the only places in Nicaragua where you can get superfood smoothies. They roast their own organic coffee beans onsite, so bring some extra cash to take home a pound of this delicious blend!
Generally people think of Pelican Eyes as a high end resort, and commonly only think that it is a place to stay, however, they have an amazing restaurant with an incredible view! Make sure to get here before sunset and bring your swimsuit. If you want to go for a sunset swim while you're waiting for your food to arrive then go for it! Incredible views, great food, good drinks, and an awesome infinity pool!
16 locals recommend
Pelican Eyes Resort
Generally people think of Pelican Eyes as a high end resort, and commonly only think that it is a place to stay, however, they have an amazing restaurant with an incredible view! Make sure to get here before sunset and bring your swimsuit. If you want to go for a sunset swim while you're waiting for your food to arrive then go for it! Incredible views, great food, good drinks, and an awesome infinity pool!
Just a super fun place to grab a good burger. Good burgers are hard to find in Nicaragua. The owners Jess and Towe are awesome people who really know how to have a good time and treat their guests right! The Big Wang burger hits the spot!
22 locals recommend
Nacho Libre
Just a super fun place to grab a good burger. Good burgers are hard to find in Nicaragua. The owners Jess and Towe are awesome people who really know how to have a good time and treat their guests right! The Big Wang burger hits the spot!
Drinks & Nightlife
Iguana's is a great place to get your night started. Great mix of locals and travellers. Grab a bottle of Flor de Caña and hit the rooftop patio which overlooks the beautiful bay of San Juan del Sur. The food is average, but the drinks are cold and the location can't be beat.
76 locals recommend
Iguana Bar
Iguana's is a great place to get your night started. Great mix of locals and travellers. Grab a bottle of Flor de Caña and hit the rooftop patio which overlooks the beautiful bay of San Juan del Sur. The food is average, but the drinks are cold and the location can't be beat.
Pacha is a great place to enjoy your evening! They often have great DJ's playing late into the night, and awesome drink specials. This place is especially amazing on Sunday Funday's!
8 locals recommend
Hostel Pachamama
Pacha is a great place to enjoy your evening! They often have great DJ's playing late into the night, and awesome drink specials. This place is especially amazing on Sunday Funday's!
Absolutely one of the best party places in San Juan del Sur. Make sure to get here for sunset on Sundays. That is when the crowd from Sunday Funday fills this place to her gills! Amazing DJ's, beautiful people, and a guaranteed amazing time!
Naked Tiger Hostel
Absolutely one of the best party places in San Juan del Sur. Make sure to get here for sunset on Sundays. That is when the crowd from Sunday Funday fills this place to her gills! Amazing DJ's, beautiful people, and a guaranteed amazing time!
Craft beer in paradise...yes please! The food is surprisingly good too! Reggae Night Monday, Open Mic Wednesday, Live Music Thursday, and Brunch Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00am. Check em out at http://www.sjdsbrewers.com/
49 locals recommend
San Juan del Sur Cervecería
Avenida MercadoCraft beer in paradise...yes please! The food is surprisingly good too! Reggae Night Monday, Open Mic Wednesday, Live Music Thursday, and Brunch Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00am. Check em out at http://www.sjdsbrewers.com/
Keep your ear to the ground to find out when this bar will be going off with live DJ's. When they bring in good DJ's this place can't be beat. It's right on the ocean and the party goes all night! Any holiday nights and many Saturday nights this is the place to be.
13 locals recommend
Arribas Bar
Paseo del ReyKeep your ear to the ground to find out when this bar will be going off with live DJ's. When they bring in good DJ's this place can't be beat. It's right on the ocean and the party goes all night! Any holiday nights and many Saturday nights this is the place to be.
Sightseeing
The 2nd largest Jesus statue in the world (behind Christ The Redeemer in Rio) looks down upon San Juan blessing the fishermen. The view is incredible. Take a bottle of water and a bit of cash with you if you decide to hike up.
38 locals recommend
Christ of Mercy
The 2nd largest Jesus statue in the world (behind Christ The Redeemer in Rio) looks down upon San Juan blessing the fishermen. The view is incredible. Take a bottle of water and a bit of cash with you if you decide to hike up.
Hire a local to take you to the colonial city of Granada. This city is full of history. Take a horse drawn carriage tour of the sites, and then go for a boat tour of Las Isletas.
101 locals recommend
Granada
Hire a local to take you to the colonial city of Granada. This city is full of history. Take a horse drawn carriage tour of the sites, and then go for a boat tour of Las Isletas.
On of the best "tours" I've ever been on is the tour of Mombacho volcano. Hire Eli to take you early in the morning to the national park. You will drive to the top of the volcano up very steep roads and then do a 45 minute hike around the rim to an amazing view of the colonial city of Granada and lake Nicaragua. Then drive 1/2 way down the volcano and stop for lunch...it isn't a budget friendly restaurant, but the smoothies are great! While you're there book some ziplining through the coffee plantation! Once you're done all that you'll still have time to go to Granada for the afternoon/evening!
25 locals recommend
Mombacho
On of the best "tours" I've ever been on is the tour of Mombacho volcano. Hire Eli to take you early in the morning to the national park. You will drive to the top of the volcano up very steep roads and then do a 45 minute hike around the rim to an amazing view of the colonial city of Granada and lake Nicaragua. Then drive 1/2 way down the volcano and stop for lunch...it isn't a budget friendly restaurant, but the smoothies are great! While you're there book some ziplining through the coffee plantation! Once you're done all that you'll still have time to go to Granada for the afternoon/evening!
Essentials
This is the place to go for a quick grocery shop. You can find just about everything here if you plan on cooking your own food. The Pali is the only supermarket type store in San Juan del Sur.
64 locals recommend
Palí
NIC-16This is the place to go for a quick grocery shop. You can find just about everything here if you plan on cooking your own food. The Pali is the only supermarket type store in San Juan del Sur.
Parks & Nature
The iconic surf beach of San Juan del Sur. The waves here can be absolutely amazing. Hit the beach at sunrise to avoid the crowds. The food is getting better every year, and the beach bars have cold Toña's available for a reasonable price! Get a massage from Dunia for the real Maderas experience!
63 locals recommend
Playa Maderas
The iconic surf beach of San Juan del Sur. The waves here can be absolutely amazing. Hit the beach at sunrise to avoid the crowds. The food is getting better every year, and the beach bars have cold Toña's available for a reasonable price! Get a massage from Dunia for the real Maderas experience!
This is a beautiful place to take a book to and just relax and enjoy. The large church to the east end of the park is an iconic spot in SJDS. People watching is pretty amazing as well!
Central Park
This is a beautiful place to take a book to and just relax and enjoy. The large church to the east end of the park is an iconic spot in SJDS. People watching is pretty amazing as well!
This beach has it all. Hammocks, cold drinks, palapas, good food, and lots of people to meet! On top of all that it has great waves!
40 locals recommend
Playa Hermosa
This beach has it all. Hammocks, cold drinks, palapas, good food, and lots of people to meet! On top of all that it has great waves!
Shopping
The local market is the place to support the local farmers. This is a great place to get all of your fruit and veggies...and at the same time any of the souvenirs you need that say San Juan del Sur on them. It's definitely a local experience not to be missed.
29 locals recommend
Mercado
The local market is the place to support the local farmers. This is a great place to get all of your fruit and veggies...and at the same time any of the souvenirs you need that say San Juan del Sur on them. It's definitely a local experience not to be missed.