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Looking for your next dreamy beach vacation but not sure where to go? There’s a charming hidden gem on the Pacific coast that should be at the top of your list!
If lounging on a pristine beach with a cold drink in hand during a beautiful sunset sounds like your cup of tea, there’s one coastal town in Nicaragua calling your name.
Known for its incredible beaches, top surfing and laid-back atmosphere, San Juan del Sur is the perfect place to unwind during your next trip.
Although the coastal town attracts surfing enthusiasts from all over the world, this destination is so much more than that and has something for every type of traveler.
Here are 4 reasons why you should visit San Juan del Sur for your next beach vacation:
Beautiful beaches and dreamy stays
We’ve said it above and we’ll say it again: San Juan del Sur has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific. Plus, there are some top-notch places where you can make your home away from home.
If you’re looking for the ultimate stay in the heart of San Juan del Sur, you can’t get better than this La Santa Maria Resort.
You have fantastic views of the city, everything you need is on site and you are only a 10 minute walk from everything you want to do in the city.
@journeypad Join us to the best hotel in San Juan del Sur – La Santa Maria Resort. #sanjuandelsur #lsmresort #lasantamaria #visitnicaragua #trip #resort #nicarag ♬ Vlog / Western music Tropical House / EDM ♫(997692) – RIKIYA
Plus, La Santa Maria Resort can help you set up any sightseeing or adventure tours you want to participate in, such as surfing or horse riding.
As far as beaches go, some of our favorites are:
Playa San Juan del Sur
This is the main beach in the heart of San Juan del Sur and one of the most beautiful. There are endless options for dining and entertainment both day and night, right on the beautiful sand. Moreover, it is only a 10-minute walk La Santa Maria Resort.
One of our favorite places for a snack was Restaurante El Timon. The food was great and the sunset view was even better.
Playa Remanzo
This beach is the perfect place to learn to surf as the waves break in different spots, keeping everyone from beginners to advanced surfers entertained.
There are plenty of beach clubs and bars where you can have a snack or a drink after surfing the waves.
If it’s your first time surfing or you want to brush up on your skills, be sure to book a lesson Tribu Surf Nicaragua. They can pick you up directly from La Santa Maria Resort, making planning simple and hassle-free.
@journeypad An incredible day out from @lsmresort with @tribusurfnicaragua. One of our first times out and we got up! . #surf #lsmresort #lasantamaria #sanjuandelsur #visitnicaragua ♬ Let’s go surfing – the drums
Playa Escameca
This beach is the most remote of the three beaches mentioned, but don’t let that stop you from going there!
The coolest way to see this beach is to book a horseback riding tour. You drive through the beautiful jungle, where you might even spot some howler monkeys!
As you leave the jungle you will come to Playa Escameca, with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. If you look across the water, you even have a view of the coast of Costa Rica.
Affordable and easy to reach
One of the best aspects of visiting San Juan del Sur is its affordability. If you want to save some money, you can find hostel accommodations for under $15 per night, and you can easily opt for a private room at a hotel for under $100 per night.
Drinks and food are cheap too. You can easily find domestic beers for a few dollars each, and a meal at a decent restaurant won’t cost you more than $20 or so.
As for getting there, while it’s not as easy as a direct flight to San Juan del Sur, it’s an easy journey. The closest major airport to fly into is Managua.
Americans will connect via Houston, Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Once you land in Managua, drive 2.5 hours to San Juan del Sur. You can get there by bus for just a few dollars, or for a more comfortable trip you can book a private transfer for around $80 per person.
**One thing travelers should know is that you will have to pay $10 USD to enter the country. This is a tourist tax and must be paid in cash.**
Friendly and relaxed atmosphere
You can’t help but feel like the wheel of time has slowed down as you walk the charming streets of San Juan del Sur. The bohemian atmosphere with colorful buildings and nice shops makes you feel like you are walking through a film set.
Talking to locals and other travelers you get the feeling that no one is ever in a rush, and you can really unwind and relax during your stay here.
All the restaurants you can visit are inviting and it’s okay (and expected) to make an evening of your meal.
Incredible activities
If you’re bored in San Juan del Sur, something is wrong. There is so much to do here that you could easily stay a month without ever feeling like you’ve run out of things to do. Best of all, La Santa Maria can help you organize whatever tours or activities you want.
Some of our favorite activities were:
Surf
San Juan del Sur is known for the best surfing spots in the world. We went to Playa Remanzo Tribu Surf Nicaragua for some private lessons and got the hang of it in an hour (we are newbies).
Horse riding
One of the coolest ways to explore a destination is on horseback, and Nicaragua is no exception.
We left La Santa Maria and within 30 minutes we were riding on horseback through the jungle on our way to Playa Escameca where we could watch the sunset over the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean.
During our drive we saw some howler monkeys and even heard them in the distance as we left the area.
@journeypad What an incredible way to admire San Juan Del Sur! A short drive from @lsmresort and so worth it! . #horse riding #sanjuandelsur #lasantamaria #lsmresort #visitnicaragua #Nicaragua ♬ I Don’t Like It, I Love It (feat. Robin Thicke & Verdine White) – Flo Rida
Cristo de La Misericordia
Overlooking San Juan del Sur stands the Cristo de La Misericordia statue. It sits on top of a hill and offers incredible views of the city below.
You can take a taxi close to the top, or for more exercise you can start your hike from the bottom.
We took the hard route, and the views at the top were definitely worth it. If for no other reason, be sure to visit this spot for a great photo to take home!
@journeypad This is the best view of @sanjuandelsur! . #sanjuandelsur #lsmresort #lasantamaria #visitnicaragua ♬ Climb up – Climb
Sunday Friday
Although we didn’t experience this during our stay, if you’re looking to party, San Juan del Sur offers some of the best in Central America. Best of all: it’s every week!
Sunday Funday is one of the most famous holiday traditions in Central America, offering a non-stop party every week for travelers, locals and expats to enjoy.
@girlgoingtravel Sunday Funday vlog 🤪🍻🥳 #sanjuandelsur #Nicaragua #sunday Fundag #backpackingcentralamerica ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys (Remix) – Syamsul
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
