Guidebook for San Juan del Sur

Aisling
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.
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San Juan del Sur
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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
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playa la flor
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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
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Palí
NIC-16
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Local 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!!
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Miscelania Sánchez
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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!!!!!!
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Rancho Chilamate Eco Guest Ranch & Horseback Adventures
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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
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Aventura Las Nubes - Canopy Tour / Zipline Park
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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.
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Canopy Tour San Juan del Sur, Da'Flying Frog, Zip Line.
36 personas locales recomiendan
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!!!
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El Gato Negro
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Excellent coffee shop with books that serves excellent food dishes. Very popular tourist location!!!
Excellent coffee shop
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Café Mediterráneo
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Excellent coffee shop
Local sports bar
Dorados Bar and Grill
Local sports bar
Local expat hangout that holds a farmers market every Saturday morning.
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Big Wave Dave's
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Local expat hangout that holds a farmers market every Saturday morning.
Excellent hour hour prices for sunset
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Restaurante El Timón
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Excellent hour hour prices for sunset
If you love Curry.... This is the place to eat!!
King Curry
Avenida Mercado
If you love Curry.... This is the place to eat!!
Best Pizza and pasta in town
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Pizzeria San Juan
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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.
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Pelican Eyes Resort
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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.
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Playa Hermosa
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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!!
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Playa Maderas
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Local Popular Surfing Beach. This is where the party is at!!
The closest beach to our subdivision. Very quiet with only two restaurants/bars.
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El Remanso
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The closest beach to our subdivision. Very quiet with only two restaurants/bars.

Drinks & Nightlife

Excellent appetizers with their own made beer on tap
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San Juan del Sur Cervecería
Avenida Mercado
49 personas locales recomiendan
Excellent appetizers with their own made beer on tap

Essentials

Laundry
Avenida Mercado