[Tiguere]

San Juan del Sur is by far my favorite backpacking and party beach town I have been to in Central America.

Pros of San Juan

Dirt Cheap: San Juan (and Nicaragua as a whole) is pretty cheap. You can get a beer for $.75 all over San Juan. A meal is $3-5 dollars for a big chicken breast, rice, plantains, and salad.

Good Surf: I am no expert surfer, but there are three main beaches in San Juan that all attracted surfer. Playa Remanso is for beginners, but it good on days where the swell is bigger. Playa Hermosa is an intermediate beach with waves always over one meter sometimes close to two meters. I didn’t check out Playa Maderas, but it is more for advanced surfers.

You can rent a board or get a lesson at a number of places around town. Most hostels offer shuttles to the beaches, board rentals, and lessons. However, the best place to get a lesson or rent a board is Good Times Surf shop. The instructors are cool and will give you a lesson, then the next days they will surf with you and give you pointers for free.

Good Party: There are pub-crawls that run a few nights during the week that get a decent amount of people. Then on Friday and Saturday there are a number of bars and clubs in the city center that can be a good time. Occasionally, a hostel will host a theme party as well. The scene is backpacker led, but the locals join in as well. It’s a good time.

And then there is Sunday Funday...

Sunday Funday is a huge pool crawl run by a few of the main hostels in San Juan. You pay $30 (or $15 if you stay at Pancha Mama) and you get bused to three different pools around San Juan to drink, dance, and party until midnight I believe (I left early ).

Cons of San Juan

Nothing But Surfing: Sure, you can party a lot and lay around on the beach and hiking to the Jesus statue is cool one hungover day. But, other than that there is not a lot to do. If you are not a surfer or trying to learn how to surfer you will not want to spend much time here.

Clique-Ish: Everyone seems to know everyone in San Juan. This can be tough if you are traveling alone and do not know anyone when you arrive. However, don’t worry about it because after a couple of days in San Juan you will know everyone as well. Take a surf lesson. Chat with the people in your hostel. Get recommendations from the hostel staff. Hit on girls lying out on the beach. You’ll end up/ seeing the same people over and over again even if you only stay 3-4 days.


Places To Stay

There are a ton of hostels, guesthouses, and hotels in San Juan. The main party hostel is Pancha Mama, but pretty much anywhere you stay should be fine as long as they are other travelers staying there and it’s in the town.

Hotel Delfin is a quiet option in town next to the beach that is cheap and laid back. Make sure to check guest policies if ladies are on your mind.

Game In San Juan

There are really no online dating options whatsoever in San Juan. You could give Tinder a shot, but do not expect much.

Day game is pretty easy. Just go talk to girls about the surf and the beaches. You won’t need to go for a number or anything. Just flirt a bit then go on with your day. You will see her out again at night. If she likes you, she will be drunk and horny later and will often come say hi to you.

Night game is all you need here. Isolate and escalate as quickly as possible. Backpacking guys are a thirsty bunch and will approach like sharks. In San Juan I was waiting at the bar on Friday night to grab a couple of beers and I saw two chicks walk in. They were cute and definitely bangable. I knew I could approach once they got near the bar, but they never did while I was there. They were hit on and rejected 3 groups of guys before engaging in a convo with the fourth group all before I could get my fucking beers.

My Experience & Thoughts

I really enjoyed my time in San Juan. I spent a week in San Juan traveling alone and practicing my surfing.

I met some really cool people who I surfed with all week and had a great time.

I went out 3 nights and was able to isolate two girls, but I only closed one. Still, I was happy with one new flag for the week because I really enjoyed my time here.

*High season in San Juan is about to start. Mid-December to early February is supposed to be crazy.

[nomadicdude]

Nice sheet. I'd add that one of the problems with the beaches there is that the beach actually in town is dark sand with no waves. It is not super nice. The better beaches are all a truck ride away so you have to organize that each day to go anywhere. The sunset from the main City beach though is about as good as it gets though.

The nightlife is okay but I'd say in terms of gaming girls, Nica chicks are not that hot and you will not see many out at night. It's more conservative. There are plenty of backpacking chicks but when I was there there were also about 3-4 backpacking dudes for each girl. Many of the backpackers stay at these two hostels up in hill by town so the bars down near the beach don't always get all the backpackers as those two hostels run parties at night.

The best part about this place was the $6 lobster. I wish I could remember the name of the place but it's on the main street, further up away from the beach by maybe 3-4 blocks. It's a seafood restaurant run by a woman who never smiles. You get three lobster tails for $6. Probably the best food deal I've ever got in my life. I ate there 1-2 times a day for three weeks. I'd go back to San Juan for that, but not really for any other reason.

[jariel]

I've mentioned several times my desire to go to Nicaragua based off the talent I've seen in Miami.

Sweetwater and Allapattah are two most highly-populated parts of Miami with populations of Pinoleros.

From what I've gathered from the few reports we have here is that the beach towns are mostly about tourists, and any real talent is found in the cities, like the capital, but I've read reports all over the internet that Managua is a shithole.

I've also heard it's dangerous, but I read the same stuff about Quito and while I was there I never had nor witnessed any problems, doesn't mean they don't exist, just think that my perception of the city may end up being quite different.

Masculine, thanks for the report, will you have any more in-depth information on your blog?

[Papi Rico]

(12-01-2014 02:11 AM)jariel Wrote:  

and any real talent is found in the cities, like the capital, but I've read reports all over the internet that Managua is a shithole.

I've also heard it's dangerous, but I read the same stuff about Quito and while I was there I never had nor witnessed any problems, doesn't mean they don't exist, just think that my perception of the city may end up being quite different.

Managua is indeed Nica lover paradise and is indeed a shithole. But don't let that keep you from going. Managua is no more dangerous than your average Latin American city, and compared to its neighbors up north, is relatively safe. The Nica police has been doing a very good job of keeping the gangs out. Having said that, find a dedicated cab driver upon your arrival through recommendations at your hotel/hostel. And as always, don't do stupid shit:

A couple years ago, an Aussie drunkenly made a joke to a Tranny hooker outside a bar in SJ de Sur. He was surrounded by an entire army of them and then chased around town with knives.

Another thing you can do: any time you roll to a club in Managua, give the bouncer a small tip to look after you and make sure you leave the place safely.

I've been to 7 Nicaraguan "cities", so if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me or just post. OP is a cool guy and probably wouldn't mind a side discussion of Managua.

[Tiguere]

(11-30-2014 10:46 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

Nice sheet. I'd add that one of the problems with the beaches there is that the beach actually in town is dark sand with no waves. It is not super nice. The better beaches are all a truck ride away so you have to organize that each day to go anywhere. The sunset from the main City beach though is about as good as it gets though.

The nightlife is okay but I'd say in terms of gaming girls, Nica chicks are not that hot and you will not see many out at night. It's more conservative. There are plenty of backpacking chicks but when I was there there were also about 3-4 backpacking dudes for each girl. Many of the backpackers stay at these two hostels up in hill by town so the bars down near the beach don't always get all the backpackers as those two hostels run parties at night.

The best part about this place was the $6 lobster. I wish I could remember the name of the place but it's on the main street, further up away from the beach by maybe 3-4 blocks. It's a seafood restaurant run by a woman who never smiles. You get three lobster tails for $6. Probably the best food deal I've ever got in my life. I ate there 1-2 times a day for three weeks. I'd go back to San Juan for that, but not really for any other reason.

The locals in SJDS were nothing special for sure, but there are some cute backpackers chicks all over the town. The Naked Tiger hostel is a party hostel in the hills, but I didn't check it out other than Sunday Funday. Pancha Mama is the party hostel in town and is a good time.

[Tiguere]

(12-01-2014 02:11 AM)jariel Wrote:  

I've mentioned several times my desire to go to Nicaragua based off the talent I've seen in Miami.

Sweetwater and Allapattah are two most highly-populated parts of Miami with populations of Pinoleros.

From what I've gathered from the few reports we have here is that the beach towns are mostly about tourists, and any real talent is found in the cities, like the capital, but I've read reports all over the internet that Managua is a shithole.

I've also heard it's dangerous, but I read the same stuff about Quito and while I was there I never had nor witnessed any problems, doesn't mean they don't exist, just think that my perception of the city may end up being quite different.

Masculine, thanks for the report, will you have any more in-depth information on your blog?

I'm in Managua now and it is indeed a shithole. However, I have not had any issues as of yet and Nicas seem to be quite friendly.

The talent online seems to be a bit better than the talent out at night and certainly better than the girls I've seen running around during the day. I've only been here for a bit though...

I'll definitely be throwing some more detailed info on my blog in the future.

[Papi Rico]

(12-01-2014 03:02 PM)MasculineProfiles Wrote:  

I'm in Managua now and it is indeed a shithole. However, I have not had any issues as of yet and Nicas seem to be quite friendly.

Nightlife: Make sure to check out Moods and Karaoke Bar at Galerias Santo Domingo. Walk by and ask the staff which weeknights are currently busiest.

El Chamán is legendary for SNL. There was also pretty good place across from the Hilton, though I forget the name.

[Tiguere]

(12-01-2014 03:28 PM)Papi Rico Wrote:  

(12-01-2014 03:02 PM)MasculineProfiles Wrote:  

I'm in Managua now and it is indeed a shithole. However, I have not had any issues as of yet and Nicas seem to be quite friendly.

Nightlife: Make sure to check out Moods and Karaoke Bar at Galerias Santo Domingo. Walk by and ask the staff which weeknights are currently busiest.

El Chamán is legendary for SNL. There was also pretty good place across from the Hilton, though I forget the name.

Appreciate the tips!

Chaman is a great time. I already checked it out once. Are you talking about Zona Hippos near the HiltonP?

[Papi Rico]

(12-01-2014 04:57 PM)MasculineProfiles Wrote:  

Chaman is a great time. I already checked it out once. Are you talking about Zona Hippos near the HiltonP?

I was referring to Club Matrix, which I was just told has permanently closed. Another decent place that just came to mind is Hipa Hipa.

But during my time, no place rivaled Moods, as well as the collection of bars upstairs in the Galerias Santo Domingo.

[rishboy77]

Any recent updates on San Juan del Sur ?

I'm the mood to try something different but wonder if the crowd there is too young as I'm mid 40's

[DigitalNomad]

I just spent a week here and can update a few things:
Beers/drinks are up to $1.50-2.00
Meals up $5-7, but that would even include a plate with sides and a lobster tail.

Pub crawls run from the Loose Moose Tuesday(ladies half price) and Thursday. They also run a booze cruise on Saturday that allows you to go on the pub crawls for free. For the other nights, there are really only a handful of bars so no point in specifics, just ask around for the best one that night.

Sunday funday is EPIC. It starts at Pachamama, hits one other stop and finishes at the Naked Tiger, although there is an official after party bar after that. Both those hostels are a blast and both get half price for Sunday funday. The best logistically for Sunday funday is Naked Tiger, as everyone is pretty drunk by then. See wristband trick below, it will be important.

Lots of Canadians and Americans, but a decent amount of scandanvians, Brits, aussies, Costa Rican's and locals mixed in. Really easy city to pull, both locals and travelers with one catch: closing logistics. The beach is dangerous at night. You will get robbed. Every hostel in the city has a security guard and if you don't have a wristband you can't get in. You also won't be able to find a hotel taking guests at 2am. I heard like a dozen stories of guys and girls coming back for the close and getting shut down by security. I'd recommend saying you lost your wristband and keeping your "lost" one in your wallet. Alternatively, bang someone from the same hostel as you.

Great place overall, I'll be back for sure.

[torid]

(11-30-2014 06:42 PM)Tiguere Wrote:  

San Juan del Sur is by far my favorite backpacking and party beach town I have been to in Central America.

Pros of San Juan

Dirt Cheap: San Juan (and Nicaragua as a whole) is pretty cheap. You can get a beer for $.75 all over San Juan. A meal is $3-5 dollars for a big chicken breast, rice, plantains, and salad.


Day game is pretty easy. Just go talk to girls about the surf and the beaches. You won’t need to go for a number or anything. Just flirt a bit then go on with your day. You will see her out again at night. If she likes you, she will be drunk and horny later and will often come say hi to you.

I met some really cool people who I surfed with all week and had a great time.

I went out 3 nights and was able to isolate two girls, but I only closed one. Still, I was happy with one new flag for the week because I really enjoyed my time here.

*High season in San Juan is about to start. Mid-December to early February is supposed to be crazy.

Thank you for the excellent data sheet. Nicaragua is on my to-do list for this winter

[DigitalNomad]

I found a cool video from the Sunday Funday I went to in SJDS. This might be bigger than the average Sunday Funday, but gives you an idea of the atmosphere:

https://www.facebook.com/thedronebrother...615781159/