San Juan del Sur Beach
San Juan del Sur Beach
4
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Restaurants
75 within 5 kms
Attractions
8 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
941 reviews
Excellent
310
Very good
287
Average
244
Poor
75
Terrible
25
Leen M
Turnhout, Belgium281 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
San Juan del Sur is mostly a lay-back bachpackers town. Many tourists come here, so the vast majority of the locals speak quite decent English (which is not the case everywhere in Nicaragua).
The port and promenade have been improved, it looks fancier now.
It's not real-life Nicaragua, but it's a very good starting point.
The port and promenade have been improved, it looks fancier now.
It's not real-life Nicaragua, but it's a very good starting point.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffingramcan
Bogota, Colombia2 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Cool beach town with plenty to do! Stayed at the Surf Ranch for a few nights, and came to the beach multiple times, it's a full town where you can find everything.
Written 2 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin K
Iowa7 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Very real type experience. Mostly a town full of locals plus backpackers. However, we stayed in a beautiful airbnb on the south side of town overlooking the beach. Good stuff: its beautiful from up there and the locally restaraunts are cheap and good. Bad stuff" we had to walk through a slum to get to our place and while renting a scooter the police stopped us for no reason snd we had to pay $20 USD to leave the stop. I prefer Costa Rica myself, though my husband liked the authenticity of San Juan Del Sur. Of note: While the slums looked bad, the children and people were well fed and appeared happy.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,353 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
The beach is still recovering post hurricane Julia. All along the shore is driftwood/logs as well as garbage. The excessive rain that has fallen on the mainland is also making its way out to sea through a stream that cuts down the centre of the beach, making the water a mix of green and brown. On some of the edges you may be able to go for a swim, but the water was not particularly alluring.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mobile151577
3 contributions
Jan 2022
Fabulous home high above the beach with all the amenities. The view is the best part and worth every penny.
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
Oct 2020
This long sweeping stretch of sand comes with spectacular views of the nearby clifftops, including views of the Christ statue. Along the beach are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while overlooking the ocean. The beach is more of a port beach with lots of boats anchored just off the shore. It isn’t the cleanest of beaches, but we did go swimming while we were there.
It is a good place to watch the sun set.
There are lots of vendors selling sunglasses and trinkets, so you do get hassled to buy things pretty regularly, but most vendors will quickly move on if you indicate that you’re not interested.
It is a good place to watch the sun set.
There are lots of vendors selling sunglasses and trinkets, so you do get hassled to buy things pretty regularly, but most vendors will quickly move on if you indicate that you’re not interested.
Written 26 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eeeeric
Fort Myers, FL264 contributions
Jun 2021
My family just loved the beach and the ocean was clean and warm. Here the harbor is protected so the waves are not huge. Good for children.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy girl
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua8 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
I have traveled for many years to Nicaragua
always avoided the tourist heavy areas like SJDS. This trip I decided to take a day to see why so many people love it. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy a meal while watching the waves crash.
always avoided the tourist heavy areas like SJDS. This trip I decided to take a day to see why so many people love it. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy a meal while watching the waves crash.
Written 27 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
6 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Spent the day cleaning this very dirty beach with some other volunteers, I would not walk barefoot here or swim in the water. Very sad towns that make their money from being on the sea completely destroy it like this. Get a taxi or motor bike get to a beach away from the town it is well worth it if you want to get in the water and have less garbage, sewage and broken glass around.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suz
516 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
A peaceful stretch of beach on the Pacific coast. Nearby shops and food stands with Nicaraguan crafts and designs. Quiet and enjoyable time.
Further into town there are bars, restaurants and shops that are quaint and beckoning. Levy afternoon.
Further into town there are bars, restaurants and shops that are quaint and beckoning. Levy afternoon.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry D
Tarpon Springs, FL1 contribution
Hola! Looking for a private chef for dinner this evening. Family of 6. I know, very last minute but loving the view from our rental home and want to stay in.
Matt1215
Burnaby, Canada80 contributions
Where could I park my rental car in San Juan del Sur? If no parking by my hotel, is it possible and safe to park somewhere else?
MichelRobinson
Hawkesbury, Canada21 contributions
I can only speak from our experience there. I think it is safe to park we’re permitted
What is the best way of transportation in town or to beach hop?
travelbit07les
Peachland, Canada49 contributions
You can pretty much walk the town anywhere you want to go. To beach hop or to get farther than you can walk you can get a taxi. Be careful , though, because taxi drivers can have different fares to the same place. Ask your hotel or the place your staying to recommend or get a taxi for you, they usually know the good ones.
Taya D
Wilmington, DE163 contributions
I'm looking at a flight into Managua, landing at around 2am & my return flies out of Managua at 2am. I am planning to stay in SJDS w/friends. Will it be safe for me to travel alone at those times? Are there taxis or a bus to take at that time?
Silvia B
6 contributions
It’s better if you have a car for a day. Maybe you will spend $50. Or take a taxi and afford $50 dollars.
KrisAnderson
Windsor, CA11 contributions
how far to Managua
Ala1960
Burnaby, Canada119 contributions
It’s about 2.5 hours by car to Managua from San Juan del sur.
Izzy1970
Edmonton11 contributions
We are looking to visit San Juan Del sur in February with our two children. A lot of what I'm reading about the town is that it's a big party town. Would it still be a nice place for a family to visit or should we be looking for a more subdued beach town?
Michelange M
314 contributions
San juan is cool place but loud at night so it depend on your kid(s) age.. 0 to 5 years stay somewhere else. Or you can get a hotel remove from city center or near the main beach area.. they have beautiful hotel in the surrounding hills that provides a beautiful vista.. the sunset by the christ statue is worth it tho.. so go and have a blast.
Que actividades puedo hacer
Great Adventure Tours Costa Rica
Tamarindo, Costa Rica1 contribution
Hola, puedes hacer cabalgata, canopy, caminata al cristo de la misericordia, paseo en catamaran o en bote
deseo hacer buceo ¿Se requiere mucho tiempo para aprender? ¿cómo son las aguas...cálidas..transparentes?
John M
18 contributions
There are too many boats here. That would make it too dangerous to go diving here.
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Frequently Asked Questions about San Juan del Sur Beach
- Hotels near San Juan del Sur Beach:
- (0.02 km) La Estacion
- (0.03 km) Estrella Beachfront Hotel
- (0.05 km) HC Blau Mar Hostel & Hotel
- (0.06 km) The Beach House Nicaragua
- (0.06 km) Beachfront Condo in the Best Location in Town
- Restaurants near San Juan del Sur Beach:
- (0.01 km) El Buen Gusto Restaurant
- (0.01 km) Restaurant Brisas Marinas
- (0.04 km) Restaurante Ines
- (0.04 km) La Tostaderia
- (0.06 km) Bar Restaurant Josseline