Bienvenidos a Nicaragua!

Hello, fellow wanderlusters!

As of today, I landed back in the US from Nicaragua and got three hours of sleep, just in time to walk across the stage to graduate! However, that is a story for another time, another blog post.

So, lets travel into my recent adventure through Nicaragua to a small fishing village, San Juan del Sur, which is located near Rivas. San Juan del Sur is a charming little town made for young travelers and retirees alike.

B and I at the beach

Power in Central America:

On occasion, the power in Central America tends to go out, especially during rainy season. When this happens in a hostel, most travelers come out of their rooms and join together at a table with whatever they have. On my last trip, when the power went out due to lightning, the whole hostel came together with headlamps, Flor de Cana, Coca-Cola, music, and snacks. We became quite acquainted with one another and had a grand ‘ol time. Don’t be scared to make new friends! 

Tip: pack a flashlight or headlamp

Video of the Rainy Season that left us without power for 3 days! 

Exchange rate:

$1.00 US= roughly 23 cordobas 

Safety:

As I always say, travel with common sense! Always be aware of your surroundings. Never wear flashy jewelry. Do not be alarmed by the armed guards...they are there to protect. And, the people in the town are quite charming. In SJDS, I never felt alarmed or in danger.

Tip: either lock your passport up or hide it. Get creative!

Security guard at the rental car place

Where did I stay?

Hostel Esperanza

Review of the hostel:

The hostel sits in one of the best locations in San Juan del Sur. One may watch the sun set over the boat filled bay every night. As for the hostel, it is one-story and filled with charming rooms. A few rooms are private and a few are dorm rooms, which sleep about 8 people. Do not rely on air conditioning in this tiny hostel, but you may rely on the window and fans in each room.  

Sunset in front of the hostel!

The pros of the hostel:

• Free breakfast
• Free Internet
• Beach located directly across the street
• A tiny, charming courtyard
• Restaurants within walking distance
• Access to the kitchen
• Fascinating fellow travelers
• Reasonable prices (Private: $20, Dorm: ~$8-$10)
• Towels in room

The cons of the hostel:

• No air conditioning
• No television

What did I do in San Juan del Sur?

The drink of Nicaragua!

• Visited multiple beaches: Playa Maderas, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Remanso
• Ate lobster almost every night for about 200 cordobas
• Visited multiple beaches and soaked up the sun
• Watched surfers
• Danced
• Drank Nica Especial
• RELAXED

Some of my favorite places worthy of checking out:

• Playa Hermosa: $3 entry fee, but worth it for the privacy and security

• El Timon: beach restaurant with excellent lobster

• Barrio café: perfect for breakfast and coffee

• El Gato Negro: the best coffee in town

• Black Whale: a happening bar filled with great nightlife

• Tip Top: fast food chicken (I suggest eating the kids meal for 89 cordoba)

 Did you visit Nicaragua? If so, how was your experience?