Casa de Rev Guidebook
Food & Drinks
Our favorite places in the area to enjoy good eats and cold drinks.
Who needs Starbucks when you have Indio del Sur? Cesar the owner is passionate about coffee. He also makes the best fresh juices. If you're lucky enough to be visiting San Juan during pitaya (dragonfruit) season Cesar's pitaya mint juice is a must! The paninis are also delish.
Indio del sur coffee shop
Avenida La BolsaWho needs Starbucks when you have Indio del Sur? Cesar the owner is passionate about coffee. He also makes the best fresh juices. If you're lucky enough to be visiting San Juan during pitaya (dragonfruit) season Cesar's pitaya mint juice is a must! The paninis are also delish.
Here you'll find craft beer on tap. You'll also find a ping pong table and a beer garden. A lovely place to enjoy a pint or two. Want to try something a little different? Their bartender Marlon makes a mean Michelada.
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San Juan del Sur Cervecería
Avenida MercadoHere you'll find craft beer on tap. You'll also find a ping pong table and a beer garden. A lovely place to enjoy a pint or two. Want to try something a little different? Their bartender Marlon makes a mean Michelada.
A rooftop pool, cool vibes and local Flor de Cana rum! Best poke bowls in town can be found here.
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El Social
A rooftop pool, cool vibes and local Flor de Cana rum! Best poke bowls in town can be found here.
Dale Pues has something on the menu for everyone including plenty of vegetarian options. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They make an excellent mojito and some tasty sangria. Grab a table upstairs for a bird's eye view of the colorful neighboring houses and the "big screen" at El Social.
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Dale Pues
Dale Pues has something on the menu for everyone including plenty of vegetarian options. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They make an excellent mojito and some tasty sangria. Grab a table upstairs for a bird's eye view of the colorful neighboring houses and the "big screen" at El Social.
A cute cafe situated in an art gallery and studio. Wholesome snacks, good coffee and delicious smoothies. We love their homemade crackers and dips. Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
The Art Warehouse
Avenida del ParqueA cute cafe situated in an art gallery and studio. Wholesome snacks, good coffee and delicious smoothies. We love their homemade crackers and dips. Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
San Juan's most unique bar built in a school bus; favored by locals. Try their Micheladas!
The BUS Station
Paseo del ReySan Juan's most unique bar built in a school bus; favored by locals. Try their Micheladas!
THE best dumplings we've ever had! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4 - 10:30 pm.
Dumplings Aqui
THE best dumplings we've ever had! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4 - 10:30 pm.
Activities & Excursions
Rancho Chilamate's horses are healthy, happy, strong, loved up and well cared for. Whether you're an advanced rider or it's your first time on a horse – Rancho Chilamate has the ideal tour for you!
Transporation to and from San Juan and cowboy hats, socks and boots are provided.
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Rancho Chilamate Eco Guest Ranch & Horseback Adventures
Rancho Chilamate's horses are healthy, happy, strong, loved up and well cared for. Whether you're an advanced rider or it's your first time on a horse – Rancho Chilamate has the ideal tour for you!
Transporation to and from San Juan and cowboy hats, socks and boots are provided.
Nica Sail & Surf The Catamaran
Frente al MercadoSightseeing
Get your day's excercise in with a hike up the hill and stairs to see Jesus. The views of San Juan and the bay are totally worth the effort. Bring cash to cover the $2 USD entrance fee.
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Cristo della Misericordia
Get your day's excercise in with a hike up the hill and stairs to see Jesus. The views of San Juan and the bay are totally worth the effort. Bring cash to cover the $2 USD entrance fee.
Our Favorite Beaches
Nicaragua is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches and surfing in the world. Many of which you’ll find in San Juan del Sur. These are our favorites!
Playa Remanso is a small beautiful bay just 15 minutes south of the center of San Juan. On a clear day at Playa Remanso you can see the mountains of Costa Rica which are less than fifteen miles away. Playa Remanso is a great beach for beginner surfers. Here you’ll find a handful of beach bar restaurants. Each of them offer some seating in the shade, fresh fruit smoothies, cold beer and simple food like fish tacos and chicken nachos. Our favorite places to hang at Playa Remanso are Santos Surf Bar or Bokana Bar.
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El Remanso
Playa Remanso is a small beautiful bay just 15 minutes south of the center of San Juan. On a clear day at Playa Remanso you can see the mountains of Costa Rica which are less than fifteen miles away. Playa Remanso is a great beach for beginner surfers. Here you’ll find a handful of beach bar restaurants. Each of them offer some seating in the shade, fresh fruit smoothies, cold beer and simple food like fish tacos and chicken nachos. Our favorite places to hang at Playa Remanso are Santos Surf Bar or Bokana Bar.
With year round waves Playa Maderas is one of San Juan del Sur’s most popular surf beaches. Three restaurants (Tacos Locos, Los Tres Hermanos and Maderas Sunset Bar) offer frosty cervezas and local fare at reasonable prices. Surf board rentals and lessons are also available here. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for travel to Playa Maderas, especially in the rainy season. Our favorite hangout on Maderas beach is Maderas Sunset Bar.
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Playa Maderas
With year round waves Playa Maderas is one of San Juan del Sur’s most popular surf beaches. Three restaurants (Tacos Locos, Los Tres Hermanos and Maderas Sunset Bar) offer frosty cervezas and local fare at reasonable prices. Surf board rentals and lessons are also available here. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for travel to Playa Maderas, especially in the rainy season. Our favorite hangout on Maderas beach is Maderas Sunset Bar.
At Playa Hermosa you’ll find Playa Hermosa Ecolodge with a full service restaurant and bar. Fresh water showers and lockers are among the many amenities provided here. Massages and horseback riding are also offered. With a dozen or more thatched roof palapas with hammocks Playa Hermosa has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable beach day. Playa Hermosa Surf camp offers surf board rentals and surf lessons. Playa Hermosa is perfect for all surfing ability levels. The hotel has even implemented a turtle conservation program.
NOTE: Outside beverages are not allowed and there is a fee of $3 USD per person to enter.
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Playa Hermosa
At Playa Hermosa you’ll find Playa Hermosa Ecolodge with a full service restaurant and bar. Fresh water showers and lockers are among the many amenities provided here. Massages and horseback riding are also offered. With a dozen or more thatched roof palapas with hammocks Playa Hermosa has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable beach day. Playa Hermosa Surf camp offers surf board rentals and surf lessons. Playa Hermosa is perfect for all surfing ability levels. The hotel has even implemented a turtle conservation program.
NOTE: Outside beverages are not allowed and there is a fee of $3 USD per person to enter.
The Bay of San Juan is not likely to win any awards for the prettiest beach, but it is a great place to take a leisurely stroll or watch the sunset. The water in the bay is almost always calm, making it an excellent option for kids to swim and play.
Locals regularly gather here in the afternoons to play soccer and volleyball. A myriad of thatched roofed restaurants offering happy hour food and drink specials line the beach. Our favorite is El Timón!
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San Juan del Sur
The Bay of San Juan is not likely to win any awards for the prettiest beach, but it is a great place to take a leisurely stroll or watch the sunset. The water in the bay is almost always calm, making it an excellent option for kids to swim and play.
Locals regularly gather here in the afternoons to play soccer and volleyball. A myriad of thatched roofed restaurants offering happy hour food and drink specials line the beach. Our favorite is El Timón!
Groceries
Grocery shop with ease in San Juan del Sur with this list of where to buy what.
The Miscelánea Sánchez stores are our go to shops for any imported food items we want to buy.
Items like sesame seeds, coconut oil, brown rice, quinoa and extra virgin olive oil can be purchased here. Planters peanut butter, Heinz ketchup and Kraft mac & cheese are part of the regular inventory.
If you want imported cheeses like cheddar, feta, gorgonzola and parmesan this is the place to go.
Miscelánea Sánchez also carries a good selection of spices.
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Miscelania Sánchez
The Miscelánea Sánchez stores are our go to shops for any imported food items we want to buy.
Items like sesame seeds, coconut oil, brown rice, quinoa and extra virgin olive oil can be purchased here. Planters peanut butter, Heinz ketchup and Kraft mac & cheese are part of the regular inventory.
If you want imported cheeses like cheddar, feta, gorgonzola and parmesan this is the place to go.
Miscelánea Sánchez also carries a good selection of spices.
The Pali (owned by Walmart) is the largest grocery store in San Juan del Sur.
Here you’ll find the basics and essentials; mostly what locals shop for. For example: Pali sells white rice, but not brown rice. They sell lactose free milk, but not almond milk.
The Pali is a good place to go if you need to stock up staples and sundries.
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Palí
NIC-16The Pali (owned by Walmart) is the largest grocery store in San Juan del Sur.
Here you’ll find the basics and essentials; mostly what locals shop for. For example: Pali sells white rice, but not brown rice. They sell lactose free milk, but not almond milk.
The Pali is a good place to go if you need to stock up staples and sundries.
Doña Lola is our preferred vendor at the Municipal Market located in the center of town. In addition to fruits and vegetables she sells chia, fresh cocoa and flax seed. She also has fresh mint, culantro and parsley.
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Mercado
Doña Lola is our preferred vendor at the Municipal Market located in the center of town. In addition to fruits and vegetables she sells chia, fresh cocoa and flax seed. She also has fresh mint, culantro and parsley.
Pan Frances is our go to bakery in San Juan. Delicious bread and pastries + friendly personable service. 🥖
PAN FRANCÈS panaderia boulangerie french bakery
Pan Frances is our go to bakery in San Juan. Delicious bread and pastries + friendly personable service. 🥖
Consigli per viaggiatori
Usanze e culture
Tipping
When dining at a sit down restaurant in Nicaragua a 10% tip is the norm. Many will leave an extra 5% to 10% for stand out service.
NOTE: It’s very common for restaurants to add a 10% voluntary tip to your bill. This should not be confused with IVA, which is a 15% sales tax.
Always review your bill to ensure you’re not double tipping.
Usanze e culture
Don't Flush Toilet Paper
Most plumbing systems in Nicaragua can’t handle a lot of paper. It is common practice to put your used paper in the trash, not in the toilet.
Usanze e culture
Drink Bottled Water
As a precaution we recommend that visitors of Nicaragua drink bottled water.
Tap water in most municipalities in Nicaragua is chlorinated.
Fuente Pura bottled water is commonly used at vacation rentals and hotels throughout the country.
At restaurants in the more touristy areas of Nicaragua the use of bottled water and purified ice is standard practice.
On the other hand if you’re at a small local beach bar or traveling off the beaten path ice may not be made with purified water. So in this case you may want to go without.
INSIDER TIP: Unsure whether or not the ice is purified? Check the shape. Purified ice is typically cylinder shaped with a hole in the center.
Cosa portare
Insulated Water Bottle
Do yourself a favor and bring a reusable insulated water bottle with you. You'll always have cold water and you'll be helping the environment.
Cosa portare
Sunscreen
Although sunscreen is available everywhere, it’s expensive. Bring lots with you!
Cosa portare
Ear Plugs
In San Juan del Sur roosters, barking dogs and fire crackers are common sounds we hear all hours of the day and night. To avoid sleep disruption we suggest you pack ear plugs.
Usanze e culture
Money
Nicaragua currency is the córdoba, abbreviated as C$. The current exchange rate is approximately C$36 per 1 US dollar.
US dollars are widely accepted in Nicaragua, however they must be in good condition. Do not bring bills that are written on, torn or stained.
When paying for goods or services with US dollars you will almost always receive your change in córdobas.
There are multiple ATMs in San Juan del Sur that dispense both USD and córdobas. In North America most bank machines use the "PLUS" and "Interac" banking network. In Nicaragua banks tend to utilize one or the other, not both. To