San Juan del Sur is small enough to walk across in fifteen minutes — but the surf beaches that make it worth visiting are 8–15 km away. Getting the transport right is the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating one. Here's exactly how locals and experienced travelers move around SJDS.
Walking: The Best Way Around Town
The town center is entirely walkable. The main beach, the market, most restaurants, bars, and hostels are concentrated in a compact grid. From Hostal Los Chamos you can walk to the waterfront in under two minutes, reach the Sunday Funday starting point in five, and get to the fish market in ten.
The streets are flat, well-lit in the center, and safe to walk at night in the main tourist zone. Heat is the only enemy — keep water on you and time your walks for early morning or after 4pm.
Cost: Free. Best for: Everything within the town center.
Tuk-Tuks (Mototaxis)
Three-wheeled mototaxis (locally called tuk-tuks) are everywhere in SJDS and are the go-to transport for short hops around town — getting to the far end of the beach, to a restaurant uphill, or back to your hostel at night with bags of groceries.
They're cheap, fast, and drivers are generally honest. Prices are:
- Anywhere within town: 20–30 córdobas (~$0.55–$0.85)
- Slightly farther areas on the outskirts: 40–50 córdobas ($1.10–$1.40)
There are no meters. Agree on the price before you get in — but don't stress over it, the amounts are tiny and drivers rarely try to overcharge tourists significantly. They can't take you to the surf beaches (the roads are too rough), but they're perfect for everything inside town.
Tip: Pay in córdobas. Drivers sometimes give poor exchange rates when you pay in USD for small amounts — our córdoba converter and money guide shows the official rate, which is fixed all year.
Water Taxis to the Surf Beaches
The water taxi is the most fun way to reach the northern beaches — Playa Maderas, Playa Marsella, and Playa Majagual — and it's faster than going by road.
Boats depart from the dock on the main beach (south end, near the fishing boats). You'll see the signs and the vendors calling passengers. Typical schedule is morning departures around 9–11am, with returns in the afternoon. Prices in 2026:
- Playa Maderas: $5 each way
- Playa Marsella: $4–5 each way
- Private boat (group of 4–6): $30–50 one-way
The ride takes 15–25 minutes depending on the beach and sea conditions. It's smoother in the morning — afternoon swells can make for a wet ride. Bring a dry bag for your phone and valuables.
Return boats typically leave the beach around 4–5pm. If you miss the last boat, you'll need to arrange road transport back — confirm return times with your captain in the morning.
Renting a Scooter or Bicycle
A rented scooter gives you total freedom — you can reach any beach, at any time, on your own schedule. It's the best option for anyone staying more than two days who wants to explore independently.
Scooter rentals (2026 prices):
- Half day (4 hours): $15–20
- Full day (24 hours): $25–35
- Helmet included — always wear it
Several rental shops operate near the main beach. Ask at your hostel for the current best option — shops change and prices are negotiable for multi-day rentals. You'll need your passport and a deposit (usually $50–100 cash or held against a card).
Road conditions: The main road to Playa Maderas (8 km north) is paved but has potholes. The road south to Playa Yankee and Playa Hermosa is rougher — doable on a scooter but take it slow. Don't ride at night on unfamiliar roads.
Bicycles are available for rent ($5–8/day) and are perfect for getting around town, but too slow and tiring for beach runs in the heat.
Shared Trucks to Playa Maderas
The classic budget move: a shared pickup truck (camioneta) heading north to Playa Maderas. These run informally and you hop in the back with other travelers and surfers.
Ask at your hostel or around the main dock area in the morning — departure times vary. Cost is typically $3–5 per person each way. It's bumpy, dusty, and absolutely part of the SJDS experience.
Tourist Shuttles Between Cities
We run our own shuttles from the hostel to Granada, León, Managua airport, San Jorge for the Ometepe ferry, Popoyo, Gigante and the Costa Rica border — fixed prices per person, picked up at the door.
For moving between Nicaraguan cities or crossing borders, tourist shuttles are the comfortable, hassle-free option. They pick you up from your hostel and drop you at your destination — no navigating bus stations, no transfers, no luggage anxiety.
Typical shuttle prices from SJDS (2026):
- SJDS → Managua: $20–25 (~2.5 hours)
- SJDS → Granada: $20–25 (~2.5 hours)
- SJDS → León: $25–30 (~3.5 hours)
- SJDS → San José, Costa Rica: $35–45 (~5–6 hours, includes border crossing)
Book through your hostel the day before — we handle bookings for guests at Hostal Los Chamos. Most shuttles depart early morning (6–8am).
Getting to SJDS from Managua
Most travelers arrive in Nicaragua through Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua. From there, SJDS is about 130 km south.
Option 1 — Tourist Shuttle (recommended): Shared van, door-to-door. Cost: $20–25. Time: ~2.5 hours. Book ahead through your hostel.
Option 2 — Public Bus: Take a local bus from Mercado Israel Lewites (Managua) to Rivas (~1.5 hours, $1.50), then a local bus or taxi from Rivas to SJDS (~30 min, $1–3). Total cost ~$3, total time ~3–4 hours. Cheap but slower, and Managua bus stations can be chaotic for first-timers.
Option 3 — Private Transfer: Fastest and most comfortable. Around $50–80 for up to 4 people. Good if you arrive late at night or have a lot of luggage.
Arriving from Costa Rica
The Peñas Blancas border crossing (between Costa Rica and Nicaragua) is about 90 minutes south of SJDS. Tourist shuttles from San José or La Fortuna run directly to San Juan del Sur, handling the border crossing for you. Expect to spend 1–2 hours at the border itself.
Nicaragua entry fee: ~$13 USD. Peñas Blancas hours: Open 6am–10pm daily.
If you're crossing independently by bus, take a Tica Bus or Transnica from San José to the border, cross on foot, then arrange onward transport on the Nicaraguan side.
Transport for Day Trips
For day trips to Ometepe, Granada, or Masaya, the practical options are tourist shuttles (arranged through your hostel the day before) or renting a car. Public transport is possible but slow — Ometepe, for example, involves a bus to Rivas, a taxi to the port at San Jorge, and a ferry.
See our full guide to day trips from San Juan del Sur for detailed logistics and prices for each destination.
