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Are you looking for your next dreamy beach getaway but aren’t sure where to go? There is 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 gorgeous sunset sounds like your cup of tea, then there is one coastal town in Nicaragua that is calling your name.
Renowned for its incredible beaches, top-notch surfing, and laid-back vibes, San Juan del Sur is the perfect place to unwind during your next trip.
While 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 you should visit San Juan del Sur for your next beach getaway:
Stunning Beaches & Dreamy Stays
We said it above and we’ll say it again — San Juan del Sur boasts some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Pacific. On top of that, there are some seriously top-notch places to make your home away from home.
If you are looking for the ultimate stay right in the heart of San Juan del Sur, you can’t get any better than La Santa Maria Resort.
You’ll have a fantastic view overlooking the town, everything you need right on site, and will only be a 10-minute walk from everything you could possibly want to do in town.
@traveloffpath Come with us to the best hotel in San Juan del Sur – La Santa Maria Resort . #sanjuandelsur #lsmresort #lasantamaria #visitnicaragua #travel #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 may want to take part in, like surfing or horseback riding.
As far as beaches go, some of our favorites include:
Playa San Juan del Sur
This is the main beach in the heart of San Juan del Sur and one of its most beautiful. There are endless options for food and entertainment both day and night right along the gorgeous sands. Plus, it’s only a 10-minute walk from La Santa Maria Resort.
One of our favorite spots for a bite was Restaurante El Timón. The food was amazing, and the view of the sunset was even better.
Playa Remanzo
This beach is the perfect place to learn to surf, as the waves break in different areas, meaning everyone from beginners to advanced surfers can enjoy themselves.
There are plenty of beach clubs and bars to grab a bite to eat or a drink after you are done catching the waves.
If it’s your first time surfing or you need to brush up on your skills, be sure to book a lesson with Tribu Surf Nicaragua. They can pick you up right from La Santa Maria Resort, making planning easy and painless.
@traveloffpath An incredible day out from @lsmresort with @tribusurfnicaragua. One of our first times out and we got up! . #surfing #lsmresort #lasantamaria #sanjuandelsur #visitnicaragua ♬ Lets Go Surfing – The Drums
Playa Escameca
This beach is the most secluded out of the three listed, but don’t let that stop you from visiting!
The coolest way to see this beach is by booking a horse riding tour. You’ll ride through the beautiful jungle, where you may even spot some howler monkeys!
Making your way out of the jungle you will come upon Playa Escameca, offering an incredible view of the Pacific. If you look across the water, you’ll even be able to catch some views of Costa Rica’s coast.
Affordable & Easy To Get To
One of the best parts about visiting San Juan del Sur is its affordability. If you want to save some serious cash, you can find hostel accommodations for under $15 a night, and you can opt for a private room in a hotel for under $100 a night easily.
Drinks and food are cheap too. You can easily find domestic beers for a few dollars each, and a meal at a decent restaurant shouldn’t run you more than $20 or so.
As for getting there, while it isn’t as easy as a direct flight straight to San Juan del Sur, it is an easy journey. The closest major airport to fly to will be Managua.
Americans will connect either through Houston, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. Once you land in Managua, you’ll have a 2.5-hour drive to San Juan del Sur. You can get there by bus for just a few dollars, or for a more comfortable journey, you can book a private transfer for about $80 per person.
**One thing travelers should know is that you will be required to pay a $10 USD fee to get into the country. This is a tourist fee and must be paid in cash.**
Friendly & Laid-Back Atmosphere
You can’t help but feel like the wheel of time has slowed when walking the charming streets of San Juan del Sur. The bohemian vibe with colorful buildings and cute shops makes it feel like you are walking through a movie set.
Talking to the locals and other travelers, you’ll get the sense that nobody is ever in a rush, and you can truly unwind and relax during your time here.
All the restaurants you can visit are inviting and it’s totally fine (and expected) to make an evening of your meal.
Incredible Activities
If you get bored in San Juan del Sur something is wrong. There is so much to do here that you could easily stay for a month without ever feeling like you’ve run out of things to do. Best of all, La Santa Maria can help set you up with any tours or activities you want.
Some of our favorite activities included:
Surfing
San Juan del Sur is renowned for having some of the best surfing in the world. We went to Playa Remanzo with Tribu Surf Nicaragua for some private lessons and had the hang of it within the hour (we are newbies).
Horseback Riding
One of the coolest ways to take in a destination is on horseback, and Nicaragua is no exception.
We left La Santa Maria and within 30 minutes we were riding horses through the jungle on our way to Playa Escameca where we were able to watch the sunset over the gorgeous Pacific water.
During our ride, we saw some howler monkeys and even heard them in the distance as we left the area.
@traveloffpath What an incredible way to take in San Juan Del Sur! An easy drive from @lsmresort and so worth it! . #horseriding #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 is the Cristo de La Misericordia statue. It sits on top of a hill offering an incredible view of the town below.
You can take a taxi close to the top, or for more of a workout, you can start your walk from the bottom.
We opted for the hard way, and the views at the top were definitely worth the effort. If for no other reason, be sure to visit this spot for a great picture to take home with you!
@traveloffpath This is the best view of @sanjuandelsur! . #sanjuandelsur #lsmresort #lasantamaria #visitnicaragua ♬ Climb on Up – Climb
Sunday Funday
While we didn’t get to experience this during our stay, if you are looking for a party, San Juan del Sur offers one of the best in Central America. Best of all, it is every week!
Sunday Funday is one of the most well-known party traditions in Central America and offers a nonstop party every week for travelers, locals, and expats to enjoy.
@girlgoingtravel Sunday Funday vlog 🤪🍻🥳 #sanjuandelsur #nicaragua #sundayfunday #backpackingcentralamerica ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys (Remix) – Syamsul
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com