Playa San Juan del Sur, Pacific beach in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.
Playa San Juan del Sur is a beach stretching along a curved Pacific bay framed by green hills and anchored fishing boats. The sandy shoreline provides access to the water while the surrounding landscape forms a natural enclosure around the cove.
This was a small fishing port for many years until after 1940 when it became a gateway for travelers heading to California. This shift from an isolated harbor to a transit point brought the first regular outside connections.
Fishermen here practice skills passed down through generations, selling their morning catch directly to beachfront restaurants. This daily rhythm shapes the character of the shoreline and connects visitors to working traditions that define the place.
The beach has operators offering surfboard rentals, lessons, and boat tours available along the main strip. The shoreline is easy to walk along and surrounded by restaurants and accommodations.
A large Christ statue stands on the northern cliff overlooking the entire bay, marking the landscape. Many visitors hike up to the statue for views over the beach and surrounding coastline.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
