Community in San Juan Del Sur
Thinking of moving to San Juan Del Sur? You’re probably wondering what the community is like here. So I wanted to give an overview to help you decide if it’s for you.
Check out the video on the community here in San Juan Del Sur and see if it’s right for you
I traveled almost all of Latin America looking for my favorite place, and this is it. My jam is funky beach towns with great weather and good surfing. So full disclosure I’m biased towards places like this. For me this was the best spot from Mexico to Chile and everywhere in between.
Community Overview
San Juan Del Sur has about 15,000 people, with around 8,000 in the central town and the rest in the outlying neighborhoods. There’s no exact count on the number of foreign residents. It would be almost impossible to come up with fixed number, with many living here permanently and others spending the winter months.
My estimate, based on absolutely no data, is about one thousand expats during North American winter, and seven hundred in the summer. Plus the tens of thousands of short term tourists spread throughout the year.
Those tourists, both long and short term, make the town feel bigger than its statistics and my guesstimate suggest. You’re always meeting new people.
Permanent expats, residents and those applying for it , are growing in number. I talk about reasons for that in my previous article. They include the ability to work remotely, tax benefits, lack of government restrictions, quality school, low cost of living, the abundant natural attractions and the inviting community itself.
In fact I dedicate an entire article on why more people should consider it on side blog The Central Investor. This is my favorite spot but it’s not the only one.
In general the local Sanjuanenos are friendly, hard working, and welcoming to foreigners. The influx of expats has brought real economic benefits to the area. Almost without exception the locals welcome the newcomers. With most of those working remotely the capital inflows only benefit the community. They’re not opening and competing with the local business.
It’s a win-win all around and I’m proud to be a small part of it. At one point I figured the investors I personally brought into the county were responsible for around one hundred direct permanent jobs. I know many more foreigners have provided vastly greater numbers than that.
The Town
San Juan Del Sur is centered on the iconic mile long horseshoe shaped bay with a vibrant business center. The statue of Jesus seemingly judging your life decisions from the hill when you’ve had a few too many.
Until about twenty years ago it was a fairly sleepy fishing town. Known to intrepid surfers as the base for the great waves at the nearby beaches. Even today almost every business is a small family run affair. In the article I have on shopping in San Juan I do mention the 24 hour convince stores for reference. But you should try to patronize the family run shops as much as possible as that money stays in the community.
Like most places the young travelers came first. Then word got out and a broader range of visitors start coming. As that happens businesses and amenities spring up to serve them. Then some of those foreigners start moving in. That created the cycle of more visitors, more people moving in, and more businesses to serve them. The housing developments where most expats choose to live climb the surrounding hills.
Over the last couple decades it’s developed dramatically as the world discovered how amazing it is. As larger numbers of expats moved in it created a vibrant group of foreigners living alongside the friendly locals. Now this blended community is attracting waves of expats with its amenities, quality homes, great weather and low cost of living.
Luckily we’re continuing to be a funky, cool spot. San Juan is still a town for the more adventurous and open minded. We do get some weirdos but what’s life without a little spice.
Beach and Surf Community
Given the location and year round summer there are a lot of healthy activities available.
Not surprisingly the beaches and surfing are a huge part of living here. The surfing is world class, and incredibly consistent year around.
Thanks to Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake from the U.S. to Bolivia, we’ve got offshore winds 80% of the year.
Unlike a lot of other surf towns there isn't the localism that can make foreigners feel unwelcome when catching waves next to locals.
The waters are friendly. With a range of beaches and breaks within twenty minutes of town you can usually catch waves almost every day.
The beach bars usually end up with familiar crowds grabbing a beers after waves. If you’re a surfer or aspiring to be one you’ll meet people pretty quick.
Surfing is far from the only active option though.
Health and Fitness Community
Zen Yoga is the spot to go for the yogis among us. Classes are popular and draw a solid crew of regulars. Get there early for the popular classes.
The Fight Club Gym is the best workout spot in town. It's not a Golds Gym, so don't expect endless machines. But the weights are good, and the CrossFit, boxing and bootcamp classes are super popular.
It’s a great way to meet fitness buddies. They’ve also got boxing classes and there’s an MMA school that caters to everyone from beginners to black belts.
The slow pitch softball league is a solid mix of ex-pats and Nicaraguans playing ball on a regular basis. It’s more of a beer league, but that’s half the fun. Rugby is growing and they’re open to anyone who wants to play.
Fishing tours are everywhere and the abundant catch is of a wide variety. Beach volleyball is on every day. If you want to play on the main court be prepared for some serious competition.
Families, Kids and School
School is often a deciding factor for anyone looking to move their family abroad. A quality eduction in a tropical destination is not a forgone conclusion. Luckily for families, and by extension the whole town, we have a phenomenal bilingual learning institution.
There’s been a flood of families moving to town in the last few years. The San Juan Del Sur Day School is extremely popular and growing. They have had wait lists recently but are managing to see up with demand by hiring new educators.
Staffed by mostly American and Canadian trained teachers it is located on an organic cloud farm. Kids get a lot more time outdoors, in nature, and exploring their interests as opposed to only four walled classrooms.
The quality of learning is on par or better in my opinion to most North American schools. The kids seem to love it and make friends easily. The parents connect and get together all the time. Pool parties are a regular occurrence.
Wednesdays at Treecasa resort are family days. Let the kids ride the slide and jump in the pool while you grab a cocktail and swap parental war stories.
Then if you’re looking to put your kids in activities we’ve got leagues for baseball, volleyball, ju jitsu, swimming, gymnastics, surf lessons, horseback riding and more. There are art classes at the Art Warehouse for the kiddos too. I’m sure I’m missing some options but we don’t have kids yet ourselves
Retirees
If you’re coming to enjoy retirement in Nicaragua there are plenty of people like you to connect with. We’ve got an established and growing retiree community.
Certain establishments and events attract the no-longer-working crowd. Live music nights at El Timon restaurant is one. The various happy hours are another for those that enjoy their golden years with well deserved beverages.
If you’re a fishing fanatic you can take guided tours ranging from $20 on a panga to more luxurious digs on fancy boats to reel in everything from tuna to maki maki. You can even buy a boat. Maybe name it after your wife who’ll probably rarely join you, your friends, and the beer cooler. Better take her out on of the many sailboats for brownie points
Surfing here is not just for the younger crowd. Given the softer breaks at Playa Remanso its a low impact activity that you can do well into life, as opposed to more impactful options like skiing. Actually the ability to have a fun outdoor sport I could enjoy for decades was one of the reason I chose to live here.
The equestrian crowd is based around Big Sky Ranch where you can board your horses. Beach rides to Playa Yankee are what daytime TV movies are made of. If you’re a gentleman I guarantee your wife will love it. There are lots for sale at Big Sky if you want to build a home there.
For health care info I have an article on the hospital in San Juan Del Sur here. As well as another on the overall medical system and insurance options. Better safe than sorry if you’re of the opinion it’s not the years, its the mileage.
Restaurants and coffee Shops
There are a ton of options for socializing in all the restaurants in town. Given the traditional tourist economy we have a lot more options than a similar sized town without the foreign influx. I think I’d have to do a whole other article to list them all.
If your looking for anything from $10 fillet mignon at a bomb steak house that’s Maggies / El Pollito Pescador.
My favorite burgers are at Dale Pues. Go to the cozy upper deck where you’ll meet other carne connoisseurs.
Pub fare while you watch the Super Bowl is at the Cerveceria. El Timon has the best seafood right on the beach. But don’t take my word for it. Try them all.
The coffee shops might as well be social clubs. As everyone seems to see each other there. The Tostaderia is my favorite and functions as the de-facto office for local professionals and digital nomads alike. Nothing like $2 cappuccinos to fuel your day.
Bars
Just like the restaurants we have a plethora of bars. Every watering hole has its crowd, allowing you to meet like minded folks while you make friends over the universal social lubricant
The sports fans catch games at Iguana, Ikal and Social. There are hole in the wall joints like Tio Miltons if the tropical weather has you craving a mid day dollar beer on the corner. Late night revellers head to Arribas and LIT.
Republika bar has a pub quiz on Mondays and name that tune on Fridays. They bring in a regular crowd of the adult expat crew. Bring your game face. The regulars are good.
Open mic night at the Cerveceria is a blast if you want to sing, play, or in my case just listen to someone who can. Then there’s live music throughout the week at El Timon and a changing array of other venues. And there’s the ubiquitous Sunday Funday if you want to get loose with the young crowd on the lords day.
Given the high ratio of tourists to locals there’s something to do late almost every night.
Events and Activities
If you want something a little different there are interesting alternatives to meet like minded people.
The Art Warehouse is an art cafe and market with ongoing and changing schedule of drawing, painting, sculpting etc. Grab a glass of wine and some paint brushes and check it out. Just don’t criticize my grade school quality work:)
Pizza night Fridays at the Machete Market is always a blast. Smash some top notch pies, drink some wine, and chat to your neighbors in the cozy outdoor patio. Get real chatty after that second bottle of wine. Looking at you Becky.
Taco Tuesdays at Selina Maderas are a blast. Tacos are only a buck and and a taco and a margarita together is only $4. Nothing like a little taste of Mexico.
Baseball games are an awesome Nica experience. Grab a crew and head to Rivas to catch the Gigantes play in the Nicaraguan National league. Tickets and beer are cheap. Get the VIP seats for a couple bucks more or you’ll be packed amongst the very vocal local fans.
Treecasa also has a salsa night on Wednesdays if you’ve got the need to move your hips. The instructors could even make me perform to a slightly less embarrassing level.
Giving Back
A huge benefit of the foreign influx are the organizations that assist the local community. If you want to get involved there are some great options. It’s one of the best ways to truly engage in the local community rather than just spending times with your fellow expats.
Barrio Planta Project is a non-profit school program that provides supplementary education to the kids in the public school system. Here the government only provides classes half the day. Barrio Planta offers free school the other half of the day, run by volunteer teachers and on donations from the expats.
SOS Animals Nicaragua is a donation based veterinary clinic that supports the health and happiness of the furry friends in the town. They assist in adoptions, treatment and spay and neuter programs. Volunteers are always welcome.
Believe Academy is a sport based organization that gives kids sport, arts, science and language opportunities. Free programs let kids enjoy and learn what they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
The Jean Brugger foundation is an education based non-profit that teaches skills to improve employment opportunities. They’ve helped hundreds of locals advance to university and professional careers.
Ride Nature is a Christian action sports organization that combines surfing, skateboarding and community development with their ministry. I’ve seen first hand their ability to raise up individuals with substance abuse problems and give them both hope and healthy activity.
The Take Away
The community in San Juan Del Sur is cool. We’ve got an interesting mix of expats that choose to make it home. The locals are overwhelmingly friendly, open, and welcoming. There’s a lot of integration thats created a positive blended community.
I’m a perfect example, having married a much better half in my wife Dr. Melida Manzanares. As foreigners continue to move down, mostly working remotely or retired, the capital inflows benefit the locals with improved economic opportunities.
Like I always say it’s not for everyone.. Living in San Juan Del Sur is always a bit of an adventure. Hopefully this guide helped you decide if it’s for you.
Want to know more about San Juan Del Sur? Contact me!
Joel Stott-Jess
LifeInNica.com
Cell / WhatsApp: +505 8176 8624
US Number: 1 786 753 8743
Skype: joelstottjess
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur.
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.
