San Juan del Sur Activities: Surf, Sail, Turtles
Advisory, as of October 2026: On the US State Department scale Nicaragua is at Level 3, “Reconsider travel”, at the time of writing. The stated reasons are a serious risk of wrongful detention, arbitrary enforcement of laws, searches of electronic devices and limited consular help, and US citizens have been denied entry or expelled. The UK FCDO takes a different line: it does not advise against travel, but it warns that foreigners cannot take part in political activity and that drones are banned. San Juan del Sur is a long-established tourist town. Check the US advisory and the FCDO page before booking, take out travel insurance and do not bring a drone.
At a Glance
| Activity | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surf class at Maderas | US$35 | Board and shuttle included, 10:00 departure |
| Maderas beach shuttle | US$7 round trip | Leaves 10:00, 12:30 and 18:00 |
| Catamaran sail | US$80 | 13:00 to 18:00, snacks and open bar, minimum 6 |
| La Flor turtle trip | US$30 | July to February |
| Chocolate tour | US$10 | Saturdays at 10:30 |
| Christ statue entry | About US$2 | Foreigners |
These are the Casa Oro Eco Hostel prices from the Casa Oro Group site, plus the statue fee. Prices are in US dollars, which are widely accepted in town. The córdoba is the local currency.
Surf Beaches
Surf is the main draw. Playa Maderas, 15 to 30 minutes north on a dirt road, has a consistent A-frame beach break with lefts and rights for all levels, surf schools and beachfront bars. Playa Remanso, the closest surf beach to town, is a mellow break for beginners and intermediates. Playa Hermosa has a private gate of about US$3 per person and a beach club with shaded tables and a restaurant. Playa Yankee is exposed, with rocks near the parking and a left wedge that suits intermediate and advanced surfers. There is no security at Yankee.
None of these has lifeguards, and the currents are strong. The UK government links drownings on parts of this coast to the lack of warning signs and rescue equipment. Surf within your ability, and do not treat any of them as a swimming beach.
Calmer Options
Playa Marsella, about 25 to 35 minutes from town, is the swim beach. Playa Majagual is quiet and has almost no shade. For a land-based outing, the Christ of the Mercy statue is about 24 m tall including its pedestal, with a bay viewpoint and a small chapel. Visit while it is light and keep valuables out of view.
Evenings
Sunday Funday, an 18-and-over pool and bar crawl, runs weekly from Hostel Pachamama to Naked Tiger Hostel. It costs about US$30 to 35 and includes five bars. Confirm that it is running before you go.
Getting Around
- Use taxis or a pre-arranged driver and agree the fare first.
- Managua airport is about 135 km away, 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road, with a taxi at about US$90.
- Vapes and drones are banned.
Read more: Sightseeing for beaches and viewpoints, and day trips for lake and volcano outings.
To compare surf lessons and tours, try Viator searches for San Juan del Sur surf .