The beautiful fishing village has something for everyone. It’s becoming a popular place for those looking for pristine Nicaragua’s beaches, relaxation, or party. There is something for those who want to jump on the waves as well. It has one of the best spots to surf in Nicaragua.
San Juan Del Sur has been a vacation spot for many celebrities as well as the destination for one of the most popular reality shows, Survivor.
For those who love nature, you can walk down to the La Flor Nature Reserve to see the turtles as they breed.
For those looking for history, the bay’s overlooked by the Christ of Mercy statue. If you travel to the outskirts there is an ancient petroglyph for viewing as well. The small town also has plenty of nightclubs and bars to choose from as well to hang out in the evening.
Below, we’ve listed some of the best hostels in San Juan del Sur:
Selina Maderas (Best for Digital Nomads)
HostelWorld (*8.3) Booking.com (*7.7) Map Starts at ($11) for 8 bed-dorm
**SPECIAL 10% SELINA DISCOUNT* Use Our Coupon: “TRAVELING-SELINA” while Booking on Selina’s Website to Get Exclusive Discount.
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Selina Maderas is one of the best hostels you can find around San Juan Del Sur. It has everything you could need for a backpacking trip or a productive & healthy digital nomad stay.
It has all the added comforts of home as well. Selina Maderas comes with free high-speed WiFi to surf the web while you’re enjoying the sundeck or working from the co-working area.
There is also a bar on-site! You can enjoy some mixed drinks and ice-cold beer. It has a yoga deck for guests to enjoy and common areas with games, live music, etc.
With the hostel being so close to the beach as well, it is the perfect spot for anyone coming to sunny San Juan Del Sur. You can reach fantastic beaches within 5 minutes! While the town of San Juan Del Sur is around 20 minutes of drive away.
Dreamsea Surf Camp Nicaragua
HostelWorld (*9.9) Booking.com (*8.9) Map Starts at ($20) for 6 bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Located just a few kilometers off San Juan del Sur, Dreamsea Surf Camp Nicaragua is a paradise-like resort that features a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, and a spacious garden.
You can stay in ten different cabanas set on a wooden deck, some of which are dorm rooms and others private bedrooms. They all come with safety deposit boxes and free Wi-Fi.
As the name suggests, this resort is also a surfing school. They offer weekly packages that include accommodation, surf lessons, breakfasts, dinners, and yoga lessons.
The closest beaches are Playa Marsella and Playa Maderas which are both about two kilometers away. Wanna visit the center of San Juan del Sur? Town shuttles are available for their guests and so are airport shuttles.
Salt Water Hostel
HostelWorld (*9.3) Booking.com (*9) Map Starts at ($13) for 6 bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Set in a traditional Nicaraguan dwelling in the center of San Juan del Sur, Salt Water is a low-key hostel perfect for those seeking a relaxing and social vibe.
There are plenty of common areas to meet other guests including a kitchen, an indoor lounge, and a large garden with wooden tables and hammocks overlooking the bay. If you get hungry, you can grab something to eat in their restaurant. You will find Nicaraguan dishes on the menu made of products from the hostel’s own farm.
Even though the closest beach is just a two-minute walk away, you can use a shuttle service to get to the other surfing spots. Dog owners will appreciate that Salt Water is pet-friendly. The staff actually has three furry friends on-site.
Naked Tiger Hostel (Best Party Hostel)
HostelWorld (*10) Map Starts at ($-) for – bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
This is one of the most sought hostels in the area. With its award-winning accommodations, it’s no wonder why it is the most famous hostel on the island.
The hostel gives amazing views as it sits on a hilltop and looks out to the lush grounds and beautiful waters below. You can enjoy beautiful sunsets from the terrace and pool.
The bar is open daily and continues serving way into the night with free shots at happy hour. This huge hostel is three levels high and decorated with a nice Mediterranean feel.
Free shuttles are offered to the town every two hours and give visitors an easy way to enjoy their stay without stress.
The restaurant is open daily with options including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Surf Club & Residency
HostelWorld (*9.6) Map Starts at ($-) for – bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Surf Club & Residency is within walking distance of great attractions and the beach. The area is very quiet and peaceful at night as well. You will enjoy some proper surf & chill time!
The deck is full of hammocks to lay and enjoy the sun. All you need is a great surf session and a nap in the hammock with beautiful surroundings with a nice cool breeze from the ocean.
They offer guests the option of surf lessons as well as family dinners and a fully stocked bar. The bar offers smoothies as well as cocktails.
The hostel has beautiful rooms that are larger in size and give views of the beautiful ocean as well. They accept both cash and credit or debit cards for payment.
Hola Ola
HostelWorld (*9.3) Map Starts at ($10) for 4 bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Hola Ola hostel is the perfect spot for backpackers & travelers looking for relaxation and some “fun in the sun”. It has a total of 30 beds in 8 rooms. 5 of them are 4-bed dorms, 1 is a 6-bed dorm and 2 private rooms.
It’s located just a few minutes from the heart of town and offers a free shuttle into town as well. With a restaurant on site that offers a great menu, the stay is convenient and ideal. There is even a huge terrace where visitors can enjoy a few drinks and fun and some exciting BBQ.
Cash payment is preferred but they also accept cards! Guests must be over the age of eighteen to rent a room.
Past visitors rave about the customer service at the hostel. With record scores of friendliness, it should be definitely on your list when heading to San Juan del Sur.
The hostel is also pet-friendly for all your furry relatives as well.
Hostal Los Chamos
HostelWorld (*8.5) Booking.com (*8) Map Starts at ($8) for 4 bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Awesome, affordable, local hostel with cool Surf Camps!
The Surf Camps last seven days and come with many different incentives, such as a BBQ and massage.
You can enjoy the atmosphere of friends and feel at home with their huge BBQs in the evenings.
They offer shared rooms that sleep up to six people and single rooms as well. Other than surf lessons they also offer tours to see the sea turtles and shuttles into town when desired.
Casa Oro
HostelWorld (*7.6) Booking.com (*8) Map Starts at ($9) for 10 bed-dorm
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Casa Oro is the first established hostel in town!
They offer great accommodation that is uniquely designed and affordable. This hostel is one of the only hostels on the island to offer guests the option of staying in a dorm or a private room. They have a huge balcony that wraps completely around the hostel and gives guests magnificent views.
The hostel has free drinking water, lockers, and also free Wi-Fi for those who want to sit back and relax at the hostel.
For those who want to venture out the hostel offers a surf shop, yoga, pool, bar, and skatepark.
This is a great hostel not just for any type of traveler!
FAQs about hostels in San Juan del Sur
Selina Maderas is, without a doubt, one of the best hostels to stay for solo travelers and digital nomads. It has everything one could need – spacious rooms, a co-working space, a bar, as well as a sun deck with a pool. They also offer various activities, such as yoga lessons and live music, to keep you entertained and make meeting fellow guests easier.
Not only is Naked Tiger one of the best-known hostels in the area, but it’s also one of the most legendary party hostels in the whole of Nicaragua. It has a bar that is open until late at night, offering happy hours. They also organize various fun events, including surf and beach trips or Sunday Funday pool crawls.
San Juan del Sur is one of the more expensive parts of Nicaragua. Yet, it’s very affordable to visit. A bed in a dorm can cost you as little as USD$ 5, while private rooms in hostels are usually between USD$ 20 to 45 per night.
Yes, hostels in San Juan del Sur are generally safe, and the town itself is pretty safe likewise. Nevertheless, you might come across petty crimes, including thieves and pickpockets. To avoid any possible danger, we recommend you don’t go to the beach at night and stay away from poorly lit streets and alleys. Otherwise, you should be just fine in San Juan del Sur.
You’ll love San Juan Del Sur
San Juan Del Sur is a place that everyone should have on their bucket list while backpacking in Nicaragua. It’s a lively place with music, restaurants, and super friendly vibes that can’t be found around. Although it’s not as known as some of its Caribbean neighbors, it’s definitely a place to be!
San Juan Del Sur is a colorful little town with bright colors and cheerful smiles. The beaches aren’t the only thing to see in the town. Colorful buildings, markets, and shops on the beach will make you feel like a fairy tale.
It’s a quaint little place that holds a lot of character and a feeling of peace and tranquility. There is also a lot of history that can be found throughout the village and on the outskirts of town. Many hotels give tourists added perks with their stay. These included bars, BBQs, dancing, and activities like yoga and surfing classes. It is the best place to come to in order to enjoy the beach life and get away for a little while. It is also a great place to catch the perfect waves or learn a little more on your surfing. Either way, it is a place that families and singles should try. They are waiting with smiles and music.
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