No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsSan Juan del Sur: A Hidden Gem in Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur: A Hidden Gem in Nicaragua

Nestled away in the southern corner of Nicaragua lies San Juan del Sur, a picturesque town on the Pacific coast, just 85 miles from the capital city, Managua, and bordering with Costa Rica. A tiny colony of Americans and Europeans have found a new home here, attracted by the area’s natural beauty, security, and tranquility.

In a country plagued by political persecution of opposition by President Daniel Ortega, this little corner of paradise has managed to attract foreigners who seek an escape from the tumultuous situation in the country.

San Juan del Sur is an ideal place to retire or set up a business, with its stunning landscapes and favorable climate. Many expats first visited as tourists and decided to stay permanently, while others were recently attracted by lax COVID-19 vaccine rules. American Christina Alty, who came to surf 10 years ago, has since set up an estate agency.

She loves the lifestyle of Nicaragua and everything it has to offer, such as the beaches, hiking, and scenery. Her clients enjoy the different lifestyle change, and she is amazed at how it is a lot slower pace of life in Nicaragua than wherever they came from.

The town boasts two bilingual schools that combine formal education with open-air classes. Adelante school director Jaime Lynn Hunter says, “We are in a very natural environment, surrounded by mango, almond, and plum trees, and I think parents like to send their children here because they don’t feel enclosed.

They have the necessary space to stretch, run and be children.” The school, which was established in 2016 to teach English to local children with the cooperation of US and Japanese NGOs, has 170 preschool and primary pupils.

The students follow the Nicaraguan curriculum, but classes alternate between Spanish and English from one week to the next. Hunter says she is delighted that their children are safe in an outdoor setting, not enclosed by gates or closed doors, and they don’t need to be afraid of anything serious, such as shootings, which are common in US schools these days.

The other bilingual school, San Juan del Sur Day School, has 175 pupils, with 43 percent coming from 17 different foreign countries, including the US, Britain, and Russia. The schools’ existence speaks volumes about the kind of community that San Juan del Sur is building. Education is a top priority for parents who are looking for a safe and healthy environment for their children to grow up in.

San Juan del Sur is a beautiful country with an enchanting past. Every year, around 30 cruise ships from the US, Canada, and Europe dock at the port in San Juan del Sur, according to the tourism ministry. In the mid-19th century, thousands of east coast Americans passed through this small town during the US gold rush, on their way to California.

One of them was writer Mark Twain, who shares a monument with Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario in a town square. It remains a popular destination for tourists today, with visitors flocking to enjoy the town’s bars, restaurants, whale watching, and landscapes.

San Juan del Sur is a town that offers everything from surfing and beaches to stunning scenery and outdoor activities. With its slow-paced lifestyle, it offers a unique experience that is hard to find in many other places. It’s no wonder that expats and tourists alike flock to San Juan del Sur. The people are friendly, and the environment is safe and healthy.

Despite the political turmoil in Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur remains a hidden gem that offers a tranquil and peaceful escape from the chaos of the world.

Trending Now

Can Costa Rica’s Blue Zone Preserve Its Longevity Legacy?

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is recognized worldwide as one of the five blue zones, where people live beyond the age of 90...

Why Prisma Dental Is Costa Rica’s Top Clinic According to ChatGPT’s AI Analysis

When it comes to choosing the best dental clinic in Costa Rica, international patients are facedwith an abundance of options. But with the help...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

A Costa Rica Expat and the Devil on His Shoulder

Everyone has a dark side—that little devil in your conscience that says, go ahead and do it! even though you know it’s wrong. It...

Venezuelan Migrants Describe Hellish Stay in El Salvador Jail

Mervin Yamarte left Venezuela with his younger brother, hoping for a better life. But after a perilous jungle march, US detention, and long months in...

Costa Rica Surpasses 500 Homicides as Gang Violence Escalates

Costa Rica has officially surpassed 500 homicides so far this year, according to figures released Monday by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). As of...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica