Nicaragua

Border Fees, CA-4 Visa Rules, Buses, Taxis & Beach Shuttles If you’re planning to travel overland between Costa Rica and San Juan del Sur, this guide breaks down exactly : Border crossing fees (Peñas Blancas) CA-4 visa rules for French citizens Bus routes and prices Taxi costs Beach shuttles from San Juan del Sur All prices listed are recent and paid in cash. If you’re still planning where to stay or what to see, check my guides : Best Beaches in San Juan del Sur (2026 Guide) & Backpacker’s Guide to San Juan del Sur (Budget to Luxury) CA-4 Visa Rules (For French Travelers) Nicaragua is part of the CA-4 agreement with: Guatemala Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua As a French citizen, you receive 90 days total across these four countries combined : Not 90 days per country. 90 days total. To reset your stay, you must leave the CA-4 zone (for example to Costa Rica). Costa Rica to Nicaragua Border Crossing (Peñas Blancas) Main land border: Peñas Blancas Exit Costa Rica $10 USD (cash payment to officials) $9 USD (self-service machine) Enter Nicaragua $14 USD entry fee Cash required Exit Nicaragua (toward Costa Rica) $4 USD Bring small USD bills. Cards are not reliable at land borders. San José to Peñas Blancas Bus From San José, one budget option is : Deldu Departure: Grand Caribbean Terminal (San José) ~$12 USD ~6 hours Final stop: Peñas Blancas Good low-cost option before crossing into Nicaragua. Peñas Blancas to San Juan del Sur After entering Nicaragua, you have two main options. Cheapest Route (Local Bus Combo) Peñas Blancas → La Virgen: $2 La Virgen → San Juan del Sur: $1 Total: $3 USD This is the cheapest way to reach San Juan del Sur from the border. Direct Taxi $20 USD 45–60 minutes Door-to-door Best option if arriving late or traveling with heavy luggage. San Juan del Sur to Rivas Rivas is the main transport hub in southern Nicaragua, Shared Taxi SJDS to Rivas : 100 córdobas per person Fast and frequent Often easier than waiting for a local bus. San Juan del Sur to Managua Taxi : $80 USD & take around 3 hours Bus options are available via Rivas but take longer. (SJDS to Rivas to Managua, around 6 hours) Nicaragua to San José Airport (Costa Rica) If you’re flying out of Costa Rica, this is a very practical route. TicaBus operates: Managua → Rivas → San José Airport Approx. $33 USD Comfortable long-distance bus Useful for avoiding multiple transfers before a flight. Beach Shuttles from San Juan del Sur (Casa de Oro) Many beach shuttles depart daily from Casa de Oro Hostel in San Juan del Sur. Typical shared shuttle prices: Playa Maderas: $5–10 Playa Hermosa: $10–15 Other nearby beaches: similar range You can usually: Book directly at reception Pay cash Join same-day departures This is one of the easiest ways to explore the beaches listed in my Best Beaches in San Juan del Sur (2026 Guide) without renting a scooter. If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, I break down transport costs in my Backpacker’s Guide to San Juan del Sur (Budget to Luxury). Total Budget Example San José → San Juan del Sur (Cheapest Route) Deldu Bus: $12 Costa Rica Exit Tax: $9–10 Nicaragua Entry: $14 Bus Combo to SJDS: $3 Total: ~$38–39 USD Quick Price Summary (2026) Costa Rica Exit Tax: $9–10 Nicaragua Entry Fee: $14 Nicaragua Exit Fee: $4 Peñas Blancas → SJDS Taxi: $20 SJDS → Rivas Shared Taxi: 100 córdobas SJDS → Managua Taxi: $80 TicaBus to San José Airport: ~$33 ✨ Tips from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie ✨ Transport between Costa Rica and San Juan del Sur is straightforward once you know: The CA-4 90-day rule The Peñas Blancas border fees The Rivas connection The Casa de Oro beach shuttle system San Juan del Sur is accessible on any budget from $3 local buses to private transfers. For planning your stay, beaches, and accommodation options, start here: 👉 Best Beaches in San Juan del Sur (2026 Guide)👉 Backpacker’s Guide to San Juan del Sur (Budget to Luxury) And if you have any questions & you think, I can help you, write to me! BISOUS

Looking for the best beaches in San Juan del Sur ? While the town itself sits on a bay, the most beautiful beaches are actually located just outside the center. From surf breaks to quiet hidden gems, here’s your complete guide to the best beaches near San Juan del Sur, including food spots, surf rentals, and how to reach them. Planning your full trip ? Don’t miss my complete breakdown of where to stay, eat, and budget smartly in my guide : Backpacker’s Guide to San Juan del Sur (Budget to Luxury). Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to keep sharing honest, on-the-ground travel tips. San Juan del Sur Main Beach (Town Beach) Located directly in San Juan del Sur, this is the most accessible beach. Why visit? Walking distance from all hotels and hostels Bars and restaurants along the promenade Beautiful sunset views Great for an easy swim Is it the best beach in San Juan del Sur? Not necessarily. The water isn’t as clear as the outer beaches, and cleanliness varies. However, it’s ideal if you want convenience and sunset drinks without transportation. Best for : sunset lovers, short stays, no-transport travelers. Playa Remanso : Best Beach for Food & Relaxing If you’re searching for a balance between beauty and comfort, Playa Remanso is one of the best beaches near San Juan del Sur. Scenic bay Small beachfront bars Beginner-friendly surf Walk to the far right side (facing the ocean) to reach Bokana and order the tuna tartare : easily one of the standout dishes in the area. Best for : chill beach day + good food. Distance from SJDS: ~20 minutes by shuttle or scooter. Playa Maderas : Best Surf Beach in San Juan del Sur When people Google “surf beaches in San Juan del Sur”, Playa Maderas is usually what they’re looking for. This is the region’s most famous surf beach. At the center of the beach, you’ll find Los 3 Hermanos, a restaurant and hostel complex offering: 3 restaurant options Accommodation Strong WiFi (for digital nomads) Good value food (nachos ~ $11) Surfboard rental: around $10 per day. Best for : surfers, backpackers, remote workers wanting to stay beachside. Distance from SJDS : ~25 minutes. Playa Hermosa : Wild & Less Crowded Playa Hermosa is known for: Long sandy stretch Consistent surf Fewer crowds than Maderas As of recent visits, food options can be limited, so plan ahead. If you’re looking for a more natural, untouched experience among the best beaches near San Juan del Sur, this is a strong contender. Best for: experienced surfers and nature lovers. Playa Marsella : Hidden Gem Near San Juan del Sur Playa Marsella remains one of the quieter beaches near town. Small and intimate Only one main bar Smoothies around $2 Often windy (great in hot season) There’s a river mouth at one end of the beach; locals advise avoiding swimming near that area. Many travelers choose Marsella for nearby Airbnb stays, making it ideal if you want to avoid daily commuting from town. Best for : long stays and peaceful getaways. How to Get to the Beaches from San Juan del Sur If you don’t rent a scooter or ATV, the easiest way is by shuttle. Several daily shuttles depart from Casa de Oro to Playa Maderas, Playa Remanso, and other nearby beaches. This is Affordable, Reliable & Popular with backpackers Alternative options: Scooter rental Taxi ATV rental (more expensive but flexible) Cost Overview Surfboard rental: ~ $10/day Smoothie on the beach: ~ $2 Casual beach meal: $10–$15 Shuttle ride: varies depending on beach San Juan del Sur remains one of the more affordable beach destinations in Central America. ✨ Tips from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie ✨ If you want the “postcard” beach → go beyond the town bay. For surf + social vibe → Playa Maderas. For great food + relaxed setting → Playa Remanso. For calm + Airbnb stays → Playa Marsella. Bring cash : many beach bars don’t accept cards. Go early in high season (December–April). Planning your full trip ? Don’t miss my complete breakdown of where to stay, eat, and budget smartly in my guide : Backpacker’s Guide to San Juan del Sur (Budget to Luxury). It’ll help you plan everything from hostels to higher-end stays. BISOUS

I first discovered San Juan del Sur three years ago while backpacking with a childhood friend. We had originally planned to spend more time in Costa Rica, but after a reality check on prices, we crossed the border into Nicaragua instead. We were supposed to stay for 3–4 days. We stayed over a month. My friend never left : she lives there now. And I just got back from visiting her for 10 days. This guide is based on my personal experience, combined with tips from locals and expats who call San Juan del Sur home. Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to keep sharing honest, on-the-ground travel tips. Why Visit San Juan del Sur? San Juan del Sur is one of those rare destinations that balances laid-back beach life with an unexpectedly vibrant social scene. Here’s why travelers fall in love with it : Beautiful beaches for surfing and relaxing Legendary nightlife (without big-city prices) Large expat and backpacker community Weekly events and parties year-round Close to the Costa Rican border Diverse food scene : local and international Fishing trips and ocean activities Whether you want to surf, party, work remotely, or slow travel, SJDS delivers. Where to Stay ? Stay in town. It’s the most convenient base for restaurants, nightlife, transport, and beach shuttles. Budget / Backpackers Los Chamos : Central location, social atmosphere, inner courtyard, breakfast included. Mid-Range There are plenty of boutique guesthouses and Airbnb options in town offering excellent value for money. Luxury La Santa Maria Resort : Upscale apartments overlooking the bay with resort-style amenities. FOOD GUIDE Best Places for Breakfast & Brunch 💲 Local Market : Local breakfast spot. Try the huevos rancheros (around $3). 💲💲 OHLA : Avocado toast, pancakes, omelets, bagels, smoothie bowls. 💲💲💲 Ding Repair Café : Pricey but excellent quality. Brunch with a view : Dockside with Great coffee, avocado toast, oceanfront setting. Where to Eat Lunch 💲 La Reina del Sur : Daily changing local buffet (~120 córdobas). 💲💲 Simon Says : Lovely courtyard, fresh salads.Must-try : fish burger 💲💲 La Lancha : Lobster with an ocean view for under $20 (great value). Best Dinner Spots La Vecchia Signora : Arguably the best pizza in town Nacho : Top tacos and strong margaritas Sabores de mi Patio : High-quality grilled meat NIGHT GUIDE Where to Go for Drinks & Sunset​ Iguana : Beachfront, giant daiquiris perfect for sunset Bottom’s Up : Poolside bar with happy hour (3–5 PM), jalapeño croquettes, frequent events Budget option : Grab a drink from a convenience store and join locals on the main beach near the volleyball courts : one of the best sunset spots in town Weekly Events & Nightlife San Juan del Sur parties every day of the week : Tuesday : Trivia Night at La República Wednesday : Open Mic at Surf Town Friday : Beer Pong at Pachamama Sunday : Pub Crawl (aka Sunday Funday) Clubs in San Juan del Sur The main party venues: Arribas : Best on Friday or Sunday nights Sunny Beach Club : Saturday hotspot Tuanis : Another Saturday favorite Getting Around Shuttles Reliable options include : Los Chamos Casa Oro (very popular for beach transfers) Renting a Vehicle Motorbikes, ATVs, and cars are available but can be expensive : especially in high season. Compare prices before booking. From Peñas Blancas Border If you’re arriving from Costa Rica via Peñas Blancas Border Crossing: Take a bus to La Virgen (~$2) Cross the road Catch another bus to San Juan del Sur (~$1) From Managua Private taxi: about $80 Budget option : Bus to Rivas, then local bus to San Juan del Sur ✨ Tips from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie ✨ Currency : Nicaraguan córdobas + US dollars widely accepted Weather : Hot year-round Best for : Surfing, nightlife, remote work, slow travel Wi-Fi : Generally good in cafés and accommodations San Juan del Sur is the kind of place you visit for a few days… and end up staying for weeks or even years. It’s affordable, social, beautiful, and easy to navigate : a perfect gateway to Central America or a long-term tropical base. BISOUS

If you’re backpacking through Nicaragua, the Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia is a must-see. This iconic statue of Christ towers above the town, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific coast and surrounding hills. The Statue : History and Size Standing at 26 meters (85 feet), the Cristo de la Misericordia was inaugurated in 2009 and has quickly become a symbol of San Juan del Sur. Its impressive presence is visible from almost anywhere in town, perfect for landmarks or a striking photo. Why You Should Go ? Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual traveler, the Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia offers a memorable mix of culture, history, and nature. Don’t miss this gem when visiting San Juan del Sur. The Hike : Challenging but Worth It The climb to the viewpoint is steep and can be challenging, winding through lush trails that make the journey feel like an adventure. For backpackers on a budget, you can explore the base and surrounding trails for free, but getting closer to the statue and the official lookout costs just $2 for foreigners. Personally, I skipped the fee and did the loop, but the view was so stunning that I’ll definitely be returning to experience it fully. ✨Tip from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie ✨ If you’re not up for the climb, taxis can drop you off right at the top, saving you some sweat. Keep in mind that the beach on the other side of the statue is private, so access is restricted.  If you want to explore more beaches along the coast, I recommend using collectivos or booking shuttles directly through hostels : it’s budget-friendly and super convenient for backpackers. BISOU