San Juan del Sur · Nicaragua · Rivas · Pacific Ocean

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur’s beach day usually means the town-bay Playa San Juan del Sur, with northern day-trip Playa Maderas and Playa Marsella and southern Playa Hermosa as separate shores under the same guide.

Playa San Juan del SurMaderasMarsellaHermosa

Choose your stretch

  • Playa San Juan del Sur / San Juan del Sur Beach — The crescent town bay · the easiest walk-on beach for a first visit
  • Playa Maderas — Northern municipality surf beach · Costanera-improved road access
  • Playa Marsella — Northern beach with Maderas on the Costanera corridor
  • Playa Hermosa — Southern day-trip shore south of the town bay

Parking at a glance

Playa San Juan del Sur / town bay: Municipal port crescent. Check the street, lot and hotel signs on the day. Ley 690 dominio público is walk-on / common-use sand; private loungers stay private.

Playa Maderas / Playa Marsella: Northern Costanera corridor day-trip Access. Check the parking and entry rules on site.

Playa Hermosa: Southern day-trip shore. Check the gate, club and lot signs on the day.

Orientation — Remanso / La Flor: Remanso is the Costanera first-tramo southern terminus (INTUR/TN8); La Flor is a MARENA protected turtle refuge with its own access rules. Check the posted notices and fees on site.

Best stretches and who they’re for

Playa San Juan del Sur / San Juan del Sur Beach

Town-bay crescent inside the port municipality. INTUR Subdelegación at Puerto Turístico. Check the street, lot and hotel signs on the day.

Playa Maderas

Northern municipality surf beach; INTUR 2021 archive named a Centroamericano de Surf here. Northern day-trip access north of the town bay.

Playa Marsella

Northern beach named with Maderas in Canal4/TN8 Costanera coverage. Northern day-trip Access — confirm access on-site.

Playa Hermosa

Southern day-trip shore south of the town bay. Confirm public vs gated / club access on-site.

Notes before you pack

  • Flags: Follow on-duty staff and physical signs at a stretch when present. INETER Pronóstico Marítimo addresses sea state for marine users. Cruz Roja / Defensa Civil / municipal channels apply when posted.
  • Ley 690: coastal dominio público (bajamar–pleamar + 50 m) is libre acceso / uso gratuito for common uses; private loungers, pools, and hotel gardens stay private. Town-bay Playa San Juan del Sur, northern Costanera Maderas/Marsella, and southern Hermosa share one guide with different access; La Flor is a MARENA protected-area access separate from municipal walk-on sand.
  • Check the street, lot, hotel and gate signs on the day.
  • Tide: use INETER Meteorología (Pronóstico Marítimo / Boletín Oceánico Atmosférico) when you need sea state and heights.

FAQ

What is there to do near San Juan del Sur?

Near San Juan del Sur: fishing charters, surf lessons, beach horseback, and dolphin and wildlife tours. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.

Beach safety — who to trust