Day Trips from San Juan del Sur

Travel advisory, as of October 2026: The US State Department rates Nicaragua Level 3, “Reconsider travel”, at the time of writing. It cites the risk of wrongful detention of US citizens, arbitrary enforcement of laws, searches of electronic devices and very limited consular help, and some visitors have been refused entry or expelled. The UK FCDO does not advise against travel, but it warns that foreigners must stay out of political activity and that drones are prohibited. The roads are poor and unlit, so avoid driving at night and public transport after dark. Read the US State Department advisory and the UK FCDO advice before you book, and carry travel insurance.

Planning the Day

San Juan del Sur is on the Pacific, so the lake and volcano sights are inland and further than they look on a map. Rivas, 30 km away, is the transfer point for most of them. Start early, and aim to be back before dark.

Isla de Ometepe

Ferries to Ometepe leave from Puerto de San Jorge on Lake Nicaragua, not from San Juan del Sur. San Jorge is about 40 minutes by taxi from town, via Rivas, and a private taxi costs about US$25 to 35, so ask the price first. The cheaper route is a chicken bus to Rivas (about C$30 to 40, or roughly US$1, taking 45 to 60 minutes), then a shared taxi to San Jorge for about C$30.

The crossing from San Jorge to Moyogalpa takes about 60 minutes, with 15 departures between 07:00 and 17:45 on ferries and lanchas. The last boat from Moyogalpa back to San Jorge leaves at 17:30, and lanchas do not run on Sundays. From November to February the wind makes the lake choppy. Fares are under about US$3. Details are on the Ometepe ferry schedule page .

A same-day round trip is possible only as a very early, tight day, with about three hours on the road and two on ferries. An overnight on the island is more relaxing, and the multi-day page covers it. Volcán Concepción and Volcán Maderas are on Ometepe, and both need an experienced guide.

Granada and Masaya

Granada is about 95 to 100 km north, a drive of 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way. Masaya Volcano is open for night visits at about US$10 for foreigners, with day entry around US$5. Expect a crater glow and a night-time atmosphere, not a lava lake. Mombacho and Masaya both mean two hours or more of driving, which makes them long days.

Closer to Town

  • La Flor turtle refuge: about 30 to 45 minutes south, July to January for the main arribadas. Casa Oro sells the trip for US$30, and sightings are never guaranteed.
  • Marsella and Majagual: 25 to 40 minutes along the coast. Marsella has calm water suited to swimming, while Majagual is quiet with almost no shade and slightly bigger waves.
  • Rivas: a market town 35 to 45 minutes by car, handy as a transfer point.

Read more: Multi-day trips if you would rather stay overnight on Ometepe or in Granada.

To compare organised options, try Viator searches for San Juan del Sur day trips .