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San Juan del Sur bay at sunset from the hills: the headland, calm water and a boat leaving a wake

Local guide

San Juan del Sur, the way locals do it.

What we tell the people who stay with us: which beach for what, where to eat, what to look at and where to go next.

Which beach today?

The Casa Oro shuttle goes to the first three. With 4 to 6 people we take you to the others, whenever you like.

  • Playa Maderas with open sea and the hill behind

    Playa Maderas

    Surf for every level, and the sunset.

    Shuttle *, , , US$ 7

  • An instructor helps a student stand up on the board in the foam of a wave

    Playa Remanso

    First waves, and rock pools.

    Shuttle US$ 7

  • A surfer rides a wave at Playa Hermosa

    Playa Hermosa

    A whole day on a long beach, with gentle waves to learn on.

    Shuttle US$ 10

  • Playa Marsella

    The calmest water: for families, and for anyone who just wants a swim.

    With 4 to 6 people, at the time you choose.

Shuttle times and prices * High season only. Times follow the season and may change.

Eat well, and the afternoon ice cream.

  • El AcopioWhere the fishermen unload. Order the ceviche.
  • El TimónSeafood on the beach. Ask for a table outside for the sunset.
  • Super FruttoItalian gelato made in house, our favorite. On Avenida del Mercado, next to Mangia Mangia.
  • Kiss MeNicaraguan craft ice cream and waffle cones, a few steps from Casa Oro.

To look at the bay.

  • Cristo de la MisericordiaThe statue on the bay's north hill. Walk up, short and steep, or take a taxi. Go in the afternoon and come down before dark.
  • El faroOn the bay's south headland, with the open Pacific and pelicans below. The trail starts behind the dock. Bring water and walking shoes.

A different day.

  • Las playas del surThe coast road runs south to Escameca, El Coco and La Flor: long, quiet beaches. With 4 to 6 people we take you and bring you back.
  • Zen YogaYoga classes downtown, just past the park, for every level.

Part of the same family

Head north next.

After the sea, the forest. Reserva Los Nogales sits about a thousand meters up, on the edge of the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve: more than fifteen years of forest growing back over worn-out farmland, and a coffee farm.

Five cabins
Águila, Tucán, Nahuali, Gallo and Guatusa.
The farm
Trails and walks through the coffee with Arturo, one of the first settlers of the area. Meals come from the farm.
Getting there from San Juan
By way of Managua. To Managua, our shuttle or a taxi. From Managua it is about 4.5 hours on paved road, and only the last kilometer is dirt. Los Nogales arranges the ride from Managua.
What to pack
Nights drop to about 18 to 20 °C. Bring something warm.

Five cabins in the forest, about four and a half hours from Managua.

Meet Reserva Los Nogales

Want us to plan the day?

Tell us which beach, what time and how many of you. Someone from the team answers on WhatsApp.

Outside our houses, hours change: check with each place.

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