Villa Escondida Guidebook
Food scene
Restaurante El Timón
Good spot for sunsets. Live music on weekends.
Big Wave Dave's
Saturday morning organic market
La Tostadería Coffee Hub
Avenida Mercado Coffee roaster with restaurant and bakery
Dale Pues
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, bar
Republika
Avenida Mercado Bar with trivia nights (live music)
El Social
Upstairs swimming pool bar with sushi & more (live music)
Iguana Bar
All time classic SJDS beach bar with upper deck
San Juan del Sur Beach
Paseo del ReyGood food and atmosphere on the beach
Pizzeria La Terraza
Paseo del ReyPizza on the beach
Jicaro Garden
Calle El DoradoRelaxed dining atmosphere
Dos Chinos Restaurant
Avenida MercadoChinese food
Café Mediterráneo
Breakfast, lunch, (dinner on Sat. & Sun. only)
Yummy street BBQ dinner, many throughout town but we prefer the one north of the church plaza.
The Chicken Lady
Yummy street BBQ dinner, many throughout town but we prefer the one north of the church plaza.
Sightseeing
Fabulous vistas from the north end of the bay (US$2 per person)
38 locals recommend
Cristo de La Misericordia
Fabulous vistas from the north end of the bay (US$2 per person)
Mercado
Local market
Acopio Delfines con Amor
Seafood market near the marina.
Day trip, great surfing, beach bars (Also Playa Majugual and Playa Marsella)
63 locals recommend
Playa Maderas
Day trip, great surfing, beach bars (Also Playa Majugual and Playa Marsella)
Day trip, fantastic beach, quiet, good surfing, beach restaurant with shady palapas ($3 entry fee per person)
6 locals recommend
Playa Hermosa
Day trip, fantastic beach, quiet, good surfing, beach restaurant with shady palapas ($3 entry fee per person)
Overnight or multiple day visit. Island in Lake Nicaragua, access by ferry, featuring 2 volcanoes, waterfall hikes, petroglyphs & capuchin monkeys.
32 locals recommend
Ometepe
Overnight or multiple day visit. Island in Lake Nicaragua, access by ferry, featuring 2 volcanoes, waterfall hikes, petroglyphs & capuchin monkeys.
Best snorkelling and diving in Nicaragua! Tranquil - Little Corn Island has no roads! Fly in for a couple of days or more.
Corn Islands
Best snorkelling and diving in Nicaragua! Tranquil - Little Corn Island has no roads! Fly in for a couple of days or more.
Day trip or overnight visit. Oldest establish city in continental Americas! Spanish Colonial architecture abounds, many houses turned in to quaint inns. Things to do include a boat trips around the Isletas, horse carriage rides, restaurants , shopping and a climb up La Merced tower. You can also visit Mombacho Volcano Cloud Forest National Park just to the south of the city.
101 locals recommend
Granada
Day trip or overnight visit. Oldest establish city in continental Americas! Spanish Colonial architecture abounds, many houses turned in to quaint inns. Things to do include a boat trips around the Isletas, horse carriage rides, restaurants , shopping and a climb up La Merced tower. You can also visit Mombacho Volcano Cloud Forest National Park just to the south of the city.
Go just before sunset so you can see it in daylight but also see the hot lava flow in the dark!
112 locals recommend
Masaya Volcano
Go just before sunset so you can see it in daylight but also see the hot lava flow in the dark!
Include a visit during a trip to Masaya Volcano, Managua or Granada.
Actually 2 markets - test your bartering skills!
12 locals recommend
Masaya market
Calle del MercadoInclude a visit during a trip to Masaya Volcano, Managua or Granada.
Actually 2 markets - test your bartering skills!
Nice area to stop for lunch if you are doing a day trip to Managua. Miniature city, giant sculptures, many restaurants, game and sport activities, promenade walk.
13 locals recommend
Seawall Managua
Nice area to stop for lunch if you are doing a day trip to Managua. Miniature city, giant sculptures, many restaurants, game and sport activities, promenade walk.
Day trip or part of larger tour. Vista over looking lake in volcanic crater, horseback trails down the slope, visit the garden nursuries.
33 locals recommend
Catarina
Day trip or part of larger tour. Vista over looking lake in volcanic crater, horseback trails down the slope, visit the garden nursuries.
Apoyo Lagoon
Stay in a lodge lakeside down in the crater.
Activity
Zen Yoga
Drop in sessions (check schedule)
El Faro (The Lighthouse)
Good hike, great views, trail starts to the left of the marina fish market
Great views east and west from atop of the Continental Divide, Trails, Ziplines, sunset drinks
11 locals recommend
Aventura Las Nubes - Canopy Tour / Zipline Park
Great views east and west from atop of the Continental Divide, Trails, Ziplines, sunset drinks
Playa Remanso
First big beach south of town, great for beginner surfing, beach bars
Fantastic afternoon on the Pacific! Booze cruise with some food and beach stop. Returns at sunset. (Longer day trips or private bookings also available)
Nica Sail & Surf The Catamaran
Frente al MercadoFantastic afternoon on the Pacific! Booze cruise with some food and beach stop. Returns at sunset. (Longer day trips or private bookings also available)