A Day in the Life Living in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
A Day in the Life in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
What’s it really like to live in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
Hey everyone, thanks for checking in. This article covers what daily life looks like living here in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.
Everyone’s experience in San Juan del Sur is a little different depending on your situation. Whether you’re here on vacation, retired, raising kids, or just passing through, your daily routine is going to look unique. I live and work here full-time, so what I’m sharing reflects that perspective—but if you’re spending any real time in town, a lot of this will probably feel familiar no matter what brought you here.
Video
I’m a real estate broker here, helping clients buy and sell properties across Nicaragua, and I also consult on international business setups for folks looking to launch companies in Central America. So my days are a mix of beach life and business. Like a lot of people, I try to balance it out, and living in a place like this really makes it possible.
Beautiful Fresh Mornings
I usually get up early, like a little before dawn. In my opinion, it’s the best time of day. It's quiet, the weather is cool, and everything is calm before the town starts moving. I’ll grab a coffee and a smoothie—taking advantage of all the awesome local produce—and enjoy watching the first light come up.
You can pick up pretty much anything in Managua, like protein powder, so I don't find that I miss anything by being down here. The fruit and produce here are next level, and if you’re into nutrition or fitness, it’s easy to get locally sourced fruit, greens, and all the good stuff.
First thing in the morning, I usually walk the dogs on the beach at sunrise. There’s usually a big group of people doing the same thing. Most of the dogs are off-leash and know each other. It’s pretty cool—I get to pet a bunch of dogs, and honestly, my dogs see more of their friends every day than I do.
Once I get back, I clean up and head to the gym. I go to Move Viva Fitness—it’s right on the beach road where the river meets the sand. There are other gyms in town like Fight Club Gym and Gymsito, but I personally prefer Move Viva for the selection of machines and weights. If you’re into yoga, Zen Yoga is probably the best option.
Post-workout, I’ll grab a fresh coconut from the guys down on the beach road located towards the south end of the Malecon. They’re ice-cold and under two bucks, and they’ll chop them open so you can take the meat with you. It’s great for rehydration and healthy fats after a workout.
Then I’ll head home, clean up again, and start planning my workday—answer emails, set up meetings, and get a handle on the schedule.
Shopping and Supporting Local
If I need to restock anything, I might do a quick loop through town. I could go to Ahorra Más, the new supermarket in town. It’s really good for a smaller market in Latin America—but I prefer to support local businesses. It keeps you connected to the community.
I’ll grab fruits and veggies at Frutas y Verduras Guevara. For meat, Carnes San Martín has great grass-fed beef. Seafood comes straight from the guys at the docks where there are cooperative stores with marked prices. San Juan is compact—you can do a full round of errands in 10–15 minutes on foot or by car. Then if you need to pick up any prescriptions or anything, Farmacia Saba is the best in town.
Most shopping here is done with cash. I usually withdraw from an ATM using my local bank account and pay vendors directly. Businesses get charged a fee on card payments, so cash is just a nicer way to support the people who keep this town running. If you're curious about banking here, I’ve got a full article on that too.
Working from San Juan del Sur
Once errands are done, I get back to the desk and dive into more work—calls, meetings, property showings, or whatever’s on the calendar that day.
If I have a meeting over coffee, my go-to is Dockside Restaurant. It’s in the port facility with a panoramic view of town and the bay. Great coffee, solid food, and a good place to work or meet.
That same facility also has Destination Nica, where you can get Amazon orders delivered right to San Juan. I usually go with maritime shipping since it’s cheaper—I don’t mind waiting a few weeks. As long as your stuff isn’t too bulky or heavy, it’s pretty affordable. It’s right on the corner when you enter the port shopping / dining parking lot.
There are lots of great cafés in town if you want to work or meet somewhere else—La Tostadería is on the beach road, Dale Pues is a couple blocks off the beach, The Art Warehouse is just off the beach and has a pool, Ding Repair Cafe is by the church, and there are others you can check in the article I have on it. I just default to Dockside because I love the view.
Back to the Office to Work
After meetings or running around town, I usually head back home. I like working from the rooftop office in my building because it’s got a great view. But since it’s not air-conditioned, I often work there earlier or later in the day, and move to my indoor office with A/C during the hotter hours.
You kind of plan your day around the weather here. I like to get outdoor stuff and workouts done early or late. And sometimes I’ll take a nap after lunch. After living here for a while, I totally get why siestas exist.
There are quick, affordable food options in town too. There’s a buffet down the street called Sazon de Ana near me that’s about three bucks—super solid food and value. If I’m not in the mood to cook, that’s where I go.
After lunch, I might do some more work or take the dogs for another walk. I don’t tan much, so I try to get sun whenever I can so I don’t look super pale.
Local Help, Massages & Midday Perks
Once a week, I try to get a massage. I go to The Art of Healing for deep tissue, close to the Malecon at the south end of the beach road. —they get elbows in, break up knots. Holistic Spa at Dockside and Gabby’s Massage are also great, just depends on what you like.
While I’m out, a lady usually comes by to clean for an hour or two. One of the perks of living here is how affordable part-time help is. In my building, we share the cost with renters, and our cleaner handles dishes, laundry, and tidying up.
If you work remotely or run a business, it frees up a ton of time. And if you’ve got kids, it’s a total game-changer. You get to focus on what matters instead of daily chores.
Community, Surfing & Sunsets
Depending on your schedule, you could head out for a surf. The southern Pacific coast has world-class breaks within 20 minutes of town, and the new highway makes getting there easy. There’s an article on that new road if you’re interested.
The surf scene is super chill and welcoming. I learned to surf in Nicaragua and never dealt with the localism you hear about in other places. The local pros give lessons, so beginners are good for business—and the vibe reflects that.
San Juan is also incredibly social and active. Pickleball’s become popular, and there are multiple gyms and activities for every type. At sunset, the beach turns into a community gathering. People play soccer, volleyball, or just hang out with a cold drink.
There’s a central volleyball court right at the centre of the beach where some seriously good players compete. Even if you’re not playing, it’s a fun scene to be around.
Enjoying the End of the Day
Right before sunset, I grab the dogs and head back to the beach. It never gets old. The bay is shaped like a crescent, and watching the sun drop into the Pacific while the dogs run around—it reminds me why I live here
Dinner during the week is usually something I cook myself or grab takeout. But on weekends or if friends are around, you’ve got great options to eat out. There are great beachfront spots to grab a bite, sip a Toña or some Flor de Caña, and enjoy the last bit of light. Great places on the beach are El Timon, Restaurante Vivian and Iguana Bar more for drinks and sports.
After dinner, I wind down. I’ve set up the bedrooms in my building like mini home theaters—projector, good audio, comfy beds. It’s like a cinema in bed. We have fibre optic with Tigo Internet, so it tends to be super fast and works great for movies or sports.
If I want to go out, there are great nightlife spots—The Hip, El Social, Tuanis, Nacho Libre—whether you want drinks, to meet people, or just hang out.
Weekends—or Every Day, Really
San Juan used to be all about backpackers and Sunday Funday. That’s still around, but since COVID, things have shifted. A wave of remote workers and families moved in, and that raised the bar on restaurants, services, and the overall energy here. The San Juan del Sur Day School here just keeps growing.
Weekdays are focused and calm. Weekends are more social. The mix of backpackers, families, professionals, and retirees gives the town a balanced vibe—and keeps the local economy strong.
Wrapping It Up
The video I did compiles more options than what I usually do in a single day—but it shows what’s possible. The cost of living here is super low, especially if you own property. If you’re curious, check out my article on cost of living.
If your work is flexible, you could realistically surf every day. The quality of life you get for your money here is just amazing. That’s why so many people move down—and stay.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful. If you’re looking for property down here, feel free to send me links—no matter where you find them—and I’ll be happy to help.
If you’ve got questions about relocating, investing, or setting up a business in Nicaragua, don’t hesitate to reach out.
All right—thanks again!
Joel Stott-Jess
LifeInNica.com
Cell / WhatsApp: +505 8176 8624
US Number 1 786 651 5481
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
Originally from Alberta, Canada he has been doing business in Nicaragua since 2014.
An investment consultant, serial entrepreneur, surfer, and outdoor enthusiast he is an expert on the real estate and business markets in Nicaragua. He also operates The Central Investor, a real estate and investment blog focused on the entire Central American region.
Thanks to his lovely Nicaraguan wife, a medical doctor, he is also well informed on health care services in the country.
