SAN JUAN DEL SUR. NICARAGUA

Once a sleepy fishing village, a new emerging place to surf and chill on the Pacific coast.

Informative websites:
* www.sanjuandelsurportal.com
* http://vianica.com/nicaragua/rivas/san-juan-del-sur/15.9
* www.sanjuandelsurguide.com
* www.sanjuansurf.com
* Beaches - http://www.sanjuansurf.com/beaches.html

Getting there:
Liberia International Airport
* 3 hours away. In the city of Liberia, Costa Rica

Managua International Airport
* Instruction on how to get there from Managua: http://www.surfranchnicaragua.com/gettinghere.html
* 2 hours away
* Hotel in Managua:
---Hotel Estrella
A colonial style hotel with basic amenities.
Web: www.hotelestrella.com.ni

From Costa Rica border
* 25 minutes away

Transportation options:
www.iskratravel.com

map of beaches ( north of San Juan del Sur )

Map of beaches (south of San Juan del Sur)

Lodging
Pelican Eyes ( Piedras y olas )
Not far from San Juan del Sur beach and overlooks the bay and the town.
Web: www.pelicaneyesresort.com
* Sailing option - highly recommended. The captain prepares gourmet meals while navigating the high seas.
* Happy hours on Wednes and Fridays and worth a stop.

La Estacion
Located on Central Ave of San Juan del Sur and front of the beach.
Web: www.laestacion.com.ni

Apartmentos Trimar San Juan Del Sur
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Apartamentos-TRIMAR-San-Juan-del-Sur/324035062989
Rates:
* Apartamentos: Grandes/Large - $40 per dia/ day or Pequeños/Small - $30 per day
* Apartamentos: Grandes - $240 a Semana/ week  or Pequeños - $180 a week
* Apartamentos: Grandes - $450 a mes / month or Pequeños - $350 a month

Casa Oro International Hostel
In center of San Juan del Sur and near the beach
Rate starting at $6
Web: www.casaeloro.com

Let's Go Surfing
Offers a basic cottage style accommodation
Web: https://sites.google.com/site/surfingwithallan/lodging

Palermo Hotel and Resort
5-star amenities and rate starting at $171.
Web: http://www.villasdepalermo.com/

Naked Tiger Hostel
Rate starting at $10 for a dorm bed. Private rooms offered.
Web: http://nakedtigerhostel.com

Hostel PachaMama
Web: www.hostelpachamama.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hostel-PachaMama/159991064210?

Hostel Los Tres Hermanos
Beach shack located on Maderas Beach. Very popular with the surfers.
Photos: http://beachjunkie.blogspot.com/2011/02/tres-hermanos-hostel-nicaragua-madera.html

Orquide del Sur 
Casual yet upscale bed & breakfast overlooking Yankee Beach, located south of San Juan del Sur.
Web: www.orquideadelsur.com

Dreamcatcher House
Boutique hotel walking distance from Maderas Beach and 20 minutes away from San Juan del Sur.
Rates: $15-100
Web: www.thedreamcatcherhouse.com

Encanto del Sur
Web: www.hotelencantodelsur.com

Hotel Azul Pitahya
A beautiful hotel situated in the center of San Juan del Sur.
Web: www.hotelazulsanjuan.com

El Jardin
Rate starting at $45. Located north of San Juan del Sur (Rio = River) . Nearest beach: Playa Nacascolo
Web: http://eljardinhotel.com/en/hotel/index.htm

Casa de Olas
Rates: $10 per person in the dorm or starting at $75
Web: www.casa-de-olas.com

Planet Waves Nica Bed and Breakfast
Located center of San Juan del Mar and 150 meters from the beach.
Dorm room and 2 private rooms.
Web: www.planetwavesnica.com

El Coco Maritime Parque
18 kilometers south of San Juan Del Mar, a resort designed for those prefer to immerse themeselves in nature.
Bungalows and home rentals.
Web: www.playaelcoco.com.ni

Las Mananitas
2 lofty cabins for rent. Set along a deadend country road that opens up to Maderas and Majagual Beaches.
Web: www.mananitas.net

Maderas Beach

Latin Latitude Bed and Breakfast
A beautiful Spanish colonial hacienda off of Yankee Beach, south of San Juan del Sur Town.
Web: www.latinlatitudes.com

Cabanas Lobolira
150 meters from the beach and 300 meters from central park of San Juan del Sur, it makes an ideal place to enjoy the nature and nearby night life. It offers rustic cabins and houses.
Web: www.lobolira.com

Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Rates: $451-650
Web: www.morgansrock.com

Casa Llanta
An organization located just south of San Juan del Sur that teaches the locals about self-sustainability and earth friendly practices.
Stay for a couple of nights or a week. Option to volunteer and receive a discount.
Web: www.casallanta.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Llanta-Earthship-in-Nicaragua/157272107621396?

Buena Vista Surf Club
Off the grid, eco-friendly lodge located at Maderas Beach about 8 km north of San Juan del Sur.
It offers treehouses and surf room style lodgings.
Web: www.buenavistasurfclub.com

Buena Vista Surf Club

Mango Rosa
Near Marsella Beach.  Rental of cozy bungalows and cottages in a jungle.
Web: www.mangorosanicaragua.com

Activities / Things To Do
Rancho Chilamate
Horse back riding
Web: http://ranchochilamate.com

Let's Go Surfing
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-go-Surfing/86768872416?sk=wall
Web: https://sites.google.com/site/surfingwithallan/

Beach Fun Rental
3 wheeler recreational motorcycle tours on the beach.
Web: www.beachfunrentals.net

Marsella Valley Nature Center
Located 5 miles north of San Juan del Sur, a great place to enjoy the nature or play a game of frisbee golf.
* Houses for rent. 
Web: www.marsellavalley.com

Sail Second Wind
Web: www.adventuresailtours.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sail-Second-Wind/109607352421020?sk=wall

Da Flying Frog
Canopy tours
Ihttp://vianica.com/attraction/65/canopy-tour-da-flying-frog

The Earthship Pitaya Festival
2012: February 6-11
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Earthship-Pitaya-Festival/331507960724
Web: www.earthshippitayafestival.com

Playa Hermosa Surf Camp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playa-Hermosa-Surf-Camp/159307307455297?sk=wall
Web: www.phsurfcamp.com

Nicovale
Sport fishing and resort
Web: www.nicovale.com

Spa del Sur
Centrally located in San Juan del Sur. Complete spa services and massages.
Web: www.spadelsur.com

San Juan Howler Mountain Bike Race - Nicaragua
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SanJuanHowler?sk=wall
Web: www.sanjuanhowler.com

Refugio de Vida Silvestre (La Flor "Playa = Beach")
20 kilometers south of San Juan, it is one of the main spots where endangered leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs and are hatched. The refuge is open year round, the hatching can be seen between July and January. The eggs are layed from October - December.
Web: http://www.mombacho.org/flor1.htm and
* http://vianica.com/attraction/25/la-flor-beach-natural-reserve

Arena Caliente Surf Camp
Web: www.arenacaliente.com

Bahia Majagual
Located 12 kilometers north of San Juan del Sur, it is one of the most stunning bays on the coast and it has calmer water with short waves which makes it a ideal condition for swim and playing in the waves.

* Hike up the bluff on the south side of the San Juan del Sur Beach to the lighthouse and William Walker's ruined fort.

Eat and Drink
Websites:
* http://www.pbase.com/danpolley/resbar
* http://www.sanjuansurf.com/eating-out.html
* http://www.sanjuandelsurguide.com/restaurants.html
* Bars - http://www.sanjuansurf.com/bars-clubs.html

Mercado Central (Central Market)
Located center of San Juan del Sur. Opens early and closes at 4pm. Closed on Sundays.
Great place to shop for grocery but also to check out the local cuisines of snacks and lunch specials.

Iguana Beach Bar and Restaurant ( on the main beach )
Includes all night dancing as well.
Web:www.iguanabeachbar.com

Blue Marlin Mexican Grill (on the main beach)
http://sanjuandelsurportal.com/bluemarlin/index.html

Barrio San Juan Cafe
www.barriocafesanjuan.com

Rosti Pizza La Fragata
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rosti-Pizza-La-Fragata/75027628722?sk=wall

Pau Hana Restaurant (on the main beach)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pau-Hana-Restaurant/339575968677

Bamboo Beach Club
Web: www.thebambubeachclub.com

Restaurante El Lago Vida
Serves authentic local cuisine.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RestauranteLagoAzulSJS?sk=info

Pan de Vida
Artisan bread bakery. Located center of San Juan del Sur town.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PanDeVidaNicaragua

Local nonprofit organizations
Nicaragua is the poorest nation in Central and South America. Despite its recent economic growth and prosperity, do not be deceived about the great deal of poverty and the hardship the people face.  I do not want to come off preachy but please do take a look at the following list of nonprofit organizations operating in Nicaragua. During your visit, please think about how much you are getting out of Nicaragua's rich heritage, breathtaking natural wonders and diverse animal kingdoms for you to enjoy. Then put a dollar/won/pound/euro/peso/yen/krone/krona value of how much each is personally worth to you and then give back to the communities by making donations.

* www.fundacionajbrugger.org/en/home.php
* http://brookerundle.com (Click on "giving back")
* http://barrioplantaproject.org
* www.comunidadconnect.org
* www.pasopacifico.org

Volunteering:
http://www.sanjuansurf.com/volunteer.html


Photos
http://www.nicaraolake.com/images/SanJuandelSur-hotelsMap.gif
http://www.buenavistasurfclub.com/gallery/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150304542333533.357438.282050788532&type=3
http://www.pbase.com/danpolley/image/92188611