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Surfing San Juan
San Juan del Sur is the most famous beach town in Nicaragua.
Returning visitors are spreading the word about this area’s uncrowded beaches, excellent surf breaks, and stunning sunsets.
In recent years, a handful of boutique hotels opened here, drawing both families and honeymooners, in addition to the regular crowd of wealthy Nicaraguans and foreign surferos.
Playa Remanso, Tamarindo, and Hermosa
A string of beaches stretches eleven miles south of town.
Some are accessible on foot, others by rough road or water taxi. Closest to town, Playa Remanso is known for its tidepools and blowholes.
Neighboring Playa Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa provide exposed point breaks with reliable surf.
Playa El Coco and Playa Yanqui
Further south, Playa Yanqui and Playa El Coco offer left and right surf breaks.
Surfing Playa El Coco & Turtle Watching at La Flor
Below Playa El Coco, the La Flor Wildlife Refuge is a critical nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles.
From July to February, tens of thousands of nesting females arrive en masse, each laying around 100 eggs.
After around 50 days, hatchlings emerge from the sand, before quickly dashing for the water.
Playa Marsella and Playa Madera
North of San Juan del Sur, Playa Marsella, and Playa Madera are the region’s most accessible beaches.
Farther to the north is Bahia Majagual, a pretty stretch of golden sand and a favorite surf spot.
Playa Octal: Morgan’s Rock
To the north lies the isolated Playa Ocotal, a gentle arc backed by tropical dry forest.
Ocotal is the site of Morgan’s Rock Eco-Lodge, one of our all-time favorite beach destinations.
Charter Yachts, Scuba and Deep Sea Fishing
Visitors to San Juan del Sur can charter yachts for deep sea fishing, or sail to an isolated beach for a picnic.
What to do in San Juan del Sur
Beyond surfing, travelers can enjoy diving, zip-line canopy tours, horseback riding, kayaking through mangrove estuaries, and day trips to Masaya and Granada.
What is the Weather Like?
Wet Season (May to November): Morgan’s Rock area is characterized by its tropical climate. Temperatures vary very little over the course of the year, ranging from 74°F to 89°F and rarely below 71°F or above 92°F. The wet season (May to November) is cloudy and muggy. These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Dry Season (December to April): Morgan’s Rock area is characterized by its tropical climate. Temperatures vary very little over the course of the year, ranging from 74°F to 89°F and rarely below 71°F or above 92°F. The dry season (December to April) is usually windy. These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
San Juan del Sur is located approximately 60 miles (70 minutes) south of Granada and 32 miles (40 minutes) north of the Peñas Blancas-Costa Rica border.
Visits to San Juan del Sur are easily combined with extensions to Granada or Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in San Juan del Sur.
How to combine San Juan del Sur
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
