Nicaragua will surprise you with the huge variety of activities and landscapes it has to offer. From sandboarding down a volcano, to hiking around coffee plantations, to surfing some of the best beaches daily, you will have a hard time deciding how to spend your time in the country. The low cost of living and Central time zone has also made it very attractive for nomads and remote workers as there are options for good Wi-Fi.

When to Visit

There are two seasons in Nicaragua – the dry season, which is between November and April, & the rainy season, which is from May to October. Although the rainy season will be cheaper, it is best to visit during the dry season as it would make your trip much more enjoyable.

The ideal amount of time to spend in the country would be 10-12 days, but as always, if you can stay longer, two to two and a half weeks would be a good amount of time to cover most of the country. If you are tight on time, you could fly in for a four to five days and explore a city or two.

Getting There

From North America there are direct flights to Managua from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Houston. From Miami to Managua, the flight runs all year with Avianca leaving at 3:20pm (arriving at 3:55pm), 4:25pm (arriving at 5pm), and some days there is a flight at 6:30pm (arriving at 7:05pm). You can get lucky and find some deals, but flights normally will cost $180 USD or more for a one way. From Fort Lauderdale, the flight is seasonal, from Sept to Nov, on Spirit Airlines leaving every day at 11:45pm and arriving at 12:30am. A flight on Spirit will cost you around $100 USD one way. From Houston, the flight is seasonal, from November to April, on United and leaves at 9:45am and arrives at 1pm. This flight can get expensive though.

If flights are looking out of budget, another option to get to Nicaragua is to fly to Liberia in Costa Rica (which is normally cheaper and has more direct flights from the US), and then take a shuttle bus to San Juan Del Sur, Granada, or Managua for $30 USD. There are multiple direct flights from NYC, LA, Miami, Atlanta and Houston daily. There are a few reliable shuttle bus companies to take from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Tica Bus being one of the most popular. If budget is tight, you can also take the local buses to cross the border for about $5 USD. The trip will take you between 2-4 hours depending on the mode of transportation you decide to take.

COVID Requirements

At the time of writing this, a negative PCR Test is needed no more than 72 hours prior to your flight, but you need to submit results no later than 36 hours prior to your flight. The airline will send you a link to fill out in order to get approved by the government to board the flight. If you do not do this, you will not be approved and they will not let you on the plane (even if you check in online). This was the link to form that Aviana sent to submit the PCR test results: https://help.avianca.com/hc/es-419/requests/new?ticket_form_id=4414659366299.

You should also submit a form from the Ministry of the Interior to get into the country, a minimum of seven days prior to arrival in Nicaragua. The online form can be found here: https://solicitudes.migob.gob.ni/. Some airlines say you don’t need this but it’s probably best to fill it out just in case (no one asked about this form when I flew in on Avianca).

Getting Around

If on a budget, the best way to get around the country is by bus. Chicken buses will be the cheapest costing about $1US to take it an hour, but they are slow and tend to stop a lot and don’t have AC. They can also get very crowded, and you could be stuck standing if not on a bus early. There are also shuttle buses that will cost a bit more but will be more comfortable.

If you don’t have a lot of time to waste, it would be best to take a private car or taxi to each location. Especially if there are two or three of you the cost is still cheap compared to the US or Canada. A fair, reliable, and trustworthy driver based in Managua is Nestor. He will pick up from and drive to San Juan Del Sur and even between other cities. The best way to get a hold of him is by WhatsApp +505 8564 5834.

There is also one local airline, La Costeña, that flies to a few cities around the country. If traveling to the Corn Islands, this is the best way to get there. You can book flights online through their website.

Things to Know

• Make sure you have completed all the COVID requirements prior to traveling.
• Bring a reusable water bottle. The tap water isn’t safe to drink but most hotels will have filtered water where you can fill up a water bottle. An insulated water bottle is best as it will keep the water cold for longer.
• Always have cash. It is best to always keep cash on you as it will be more convenient to purchase food, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Bring US cash as this is accepted everywhere in the country, but make sure you have small bills as smaller cities might not have change for large bills. Also make sure the USD bills have no rips or writing on them as sometimes they won’t be accepted.
• The exchange rate at the time of writing is $36 Cordobas to $1 USD. Most places will exchange at a rate of C$35 to $1US. Its best to always have some local currency but not necessary.
• One of the top-rated coffees to buy and bring back home is Café Las Flores from Matagalpa, Espresso Roast. You can get a bag for $8 at the store (or $10-12 at the airport).
• Toña and Victoris are the most common local beers and cost C$35-45.
• Flor De Cana Rum Seltzers are very delicious as well and cost $C35-40 for one or 3 for $100.
• Flor De Cana Rum is a great alcohol to bring back home. The 12-year bottle is my favourite and the best value.
• Coconut bread is a specialty only on the Caribbean side of the country and it is delicious!
• If you are worried about roaming costs, it’s very cheap to get a local sim card with Tigo – it costs C$80 for 5 days of internet or C$70 for 5 days of unlimited calls and 3GB of data, C$120 for 7 days of internet or C$110 for 7 days of unlimited calls and 4GB of data. You can get a sim card at the Managua airport when you land.

What to Pack

• COVID Vaccination Card and Negative COVID Test Result
• US Cash
• Bathing Suits
• Swim Shirt
• Hat/Sunglasses
• Waterproof Bag / Waterproof Phone Case
• Flip Flops
• Bug Spray (best if not aerosol)
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/Face Towel (if staying in hostels)

MANAGUA

There isn’t much to see and do in Managua. If you are short on time, it isn’t worth staying in the city unless you need to overnight to catch a flight. It’s best to spend your time in other parts of country.

Where to Stay

If you do need to overnight in Managua to catch a flight, the Best Western Las Mercedes is an option. It is expensive for what you get and the rooms are mediocre, but it’s conveniently located across the street from the airport – just across the street and is easily walkable. They also have a really great breakfast that’s included and you can fill up a to-go container if you’re tight on time to catch you flight (which is better than the breakfast that they wrap up to go for you). It costs $120 USD per night for a double room.

The other hotel option near the airport is Hotel Globales Camino Real. It’s located just down the street from the airport and might be a little far to walk with lots of luggage or at night. They have a shuttle which they charge $5 per person each way.

LITTLE CORN ISLAND

If you are a scuba diver, this is a place that is worth making time to visit. It is a small relaxing island with great vibes and delicious food, and you can get anywhere by foot. Once you are there, you will not want to leave.

Getting There

Even if you’re keeping spending to a minimum, it’s best to take a flight if you want to visit the Corn Islands. There is an option to take an 6-7 hour bus to the coast (Bluefield) and then a 6-7 hour boat ride (which will end up only costing around $30US) to Big Corn island but it’s not a very pleasant journey and most people get seasick. Return tickets from Managua to the Corn islands is ~$160 to $200 USD round trip. If you have flexible travel plans, there is also a great option where you can purchase an open return ticket. You secure the exact flight to get to Big Corn Island and to book your return flight, you just email or call the company a few days prior to book. This is a great option for folks who don’t know how long they will want to stay – and if you are a diver, you will likely want to stay longer than you originally planned!

Flights aren’t always on time They could leave early or late so it’s best to get to the airport an hour in advance. There is a $2US tourist fee to enter Corn Islands and $2US fee to leave which is collected at the airport. Also, make sure your luggage isn’t over 35lbs otherwise they will charge you an extra $1.50 per pound. If your luggage weights too much, try to put some in your carry on as they weight you with the bag and won’t count it as overweight. You also can’t carry on aerosol containers so try not to purchase bug spray in this form as they will take it away, even in check in luggage.

Once you land in Big Corn, you will have to take a taxi to get to Brigg Bay to catch the panga (boat) to Little Corn Island. This taxi will cost $1US per person and will only take about 10 minutes. Panga tickets are first come first serve and if the Panga fills up, they will leave early. It’s best to get your tickets as soon as you arrive. There are two pangas from Big Corn to Little Corn. One that leaves at 10am and the other at 4pm (this was the schedule at the time of writing, and it could change). Because all the domestic flights arrive early in the morning, they will charge you $20US to take the 10am panga. If you aren’t pressed for time, you can explore Big Corn Island a bit and take the 4pm panga for $6US instead. From Little Corn to Big Corn, the pangas leave at 6:30am and 3pm and both cost $6US. The boat ride takes 20-30 minutes. If you want to book a spot prior to arriving, you can contact Flaco on WhatsApp +505 5795 7080. He can also arrange private trips to and from the islands.

If you have time and are on a tight budget, there are also fishing boats that go between Big Corn, Little Corn and Bluefields. If you are able to catch one of these it will cost you C$50 per person but they are very slow and it can take hours.

Getting Around

There are no motorized vehicles on Little Corn Island. The way to get around is to walk, so make sure you pack well and know where you are staying.  

Where to Stay

Depending on what time of year you visit, you may really want to consider staying at a hotel with AC. The best place to stay is on the one main road on the south side of the island.

• Las Palmeras – this is one of only places with AC and costs $40US for a private room (2 people). They have great breakfast and are flexible with when you eat breakfast if you’re diving. They also have a dive shop at the hotel which is very convenient if that’s what you are there to do. They have a large shared patio with hammocks which is a great place to hang out. A room without AC will cost you $30 per night for 2 people.
• Sunshine Hotel – the only other place on the island with AC. A room for 2 people costs $30US. A room without AC costs $25US.
• Seaview Hotel – waterfront right on the main street a few steps from the main dock. There is no AC, but each room has a private bathroom. A room with one double bed, for 2 people costs $25US and a room for 4 people with two double beds costs $35US.
• Grace’s Place & Carlito’s – bungalows on the east side of the island (windier side) for $20-25 per night. These small beach cabins are nothing fancy but are right on the water. If you plan to stay here, it’s best not to bring large luggage because the trail to the east side of the island is sand, so you will have to carry your luggage. There is also more seaweed on that side of the island.
• Yemaya Reef – if budget isn’t an issue, you can stay in a nice bungalow on the best beach on the island (northwest side). They have their own boats that can take you to the main street if you don’t want to make the 30 min trek. Wi-fi is best on the island here but this will cost you $150US per night or more depending on the season.

Where to Eat & Drink

• Tranquilo Café – great happy hour and delicious food, a must try if visiting Little Corn. I ate here almost every night. Happy Hour is two for one drinks from 5-7pm, two rum cocktails will cost you $4US. They also have really good fish tacos for $8.50 and an amazing kingfish dish for $9.50. Whatever food you order here though, make sure to try their homemade BBQ sauce! On Wednesday, they have local drummers and dancers come to perform at 9pm which is a lot of fun and the place to be on the island. On Thursday, they have trivia night.
• Restaurant El Bosque – the most reasonable place to eat on the island. If on a budget, you can get drinks for happy hour at Tranquilo and then eat here. Fish and chicken dishes are good portions and cost C$150. They normally have a fresh catch of the day as well. They also serve Rondon, which is a typical dish of Nicaragua which is like a fish stew, but you need to order this a few hours ahead of time if you want to try it. This is also a great place for breakfast. It costs C$100 For a big meal that includes coffee, tea and fruit.
• Comedor Bridget – locals like to eat here as prices are cheap. It’s right next to the main dock.

What to Do

The main thing to do on Little Corn Island is scuba dive. If you aren’t a diver, there are a few other activities that can keep you busy.

• Scuba Dive – there are so many dive sites and so much marine life to see around Little Corn. There are three dive shops on the island: Las Palmeras, Dophin Dive and Derek’s Place. Las Palmeras is who I dived with and I highly recommend them. Make sure you book your dives in advance as it can get fully booked and they fill up quick as there are limited spaces due to only having a few dive masters on the island. It will cost you $35US per dive and includes equipment. The more dives you do, the cheaper each dive is. A night dive costs $45US and must have at least 4 people signed up. This is also a great place to get any certification if you have the time. Open Water certification costs $330US and Advanced Open water certification $270US. The best dive site around the Corn Islands is Blowing Rock but each dive shop will need a minimum of 4 people to go out to the site and it will cost $150US because of how far it is.
• Snorkel – another good option if you don’t want to dive. There are many places that will take you out on a tour for $15-$20US per person.
• Walk to Otto Beach – this is nicest beach on the island and is about a 25-30 min walk from the main road. Fry Fish Bar serves food and drinks right on the beach if you are looking to stay for the day and hang out. They also have swings hanging off the palm trees which makes for a good photo.
• Kite Surf – there is a French couple that offer kite surfing on the island, but it’s dependent on whether they are around (they weren’t when I was traveling there). It’s best you contact them via WhatsApp if you’re interested +33 6 72 34 74 73.

BIG CORN ISLAND

Big Corn is more of a local experience than Little Corn. Although there is a bigger variety of things to do and places to eat at, Wi-Fi seems to be less available around the island. It is worth staying for one to two days to explore.

Getting There

Check out the “Getting There” section for Little Corn Island for the details.

Getting Around

It is very cheap to get anywhere around the island. It costs 1$ (C$35) per person to get to and from the airport and C$20 per person to get anywhere around the island. Taxis are not hard to come by as they drive around the island but if you need one for a specific time, make sure your hotel helps you book one.

Where to Stay

• Arenas Beach Hotel – if budget isn’t an issue, this is a great place to stay right in South West Bay on the best beach on the island. A room for two will cost $100US per night and a room for four (2 queen beds) costs $120US per night.
• Martha’s Bed & Breakfast – also in South West Bay right on the beach. It’s hard to book online so it’s best to call or text via WhatsApp +505 8835 5930. A room for two will cost around $60US and includes breakfast.
• Villy’s Cottage – if diving at Dos Tiburon or on a budget, this is a good choice. There is no AC but it’s on the windy side of the island. It costs $25US per night for a double room and private bathroom.

What to Do

• Scuba Dive – there are two dive shops on the island, Dos Tiburon Dive Shop and Corn Island Dive Center. A two-tank dive will cost $70US. Diving blowing rock from Big Corn Island is more convenient as it’s closer and will cost $100US for a two-tank dive (vs. $150US from Little Corn). You must book this dive in advance.
• Relax in South West Bay – a beautiful crystal clear water beach on the south west side of the island. There is normally a floating Tiki Bar (Bitcoin Bar) out in the ocean, and you can pay $10US to get there by boat, which includes a drink on the floating bar. If you happen to be visiting during Semana Santa (Easter break in April), this bay turns into a big beach party, packed with bar and food stands and locals who have flown in from the mainland.

Where to Eat

There are a lot of restaurant options on the island, and a variety of cuisines. Two of the local spots that were good are:

• Spekito’s Place – known for its reasonable meat and plantains dishes (C$150-160). They serve traditional Nicaraguan food. Open from 11am to midnight.
• Comedor Maris – a local restaurant on the north side of the island that also specializes in local foods.
• Coconut Bread Roll – a great snack before or after coming off the panga to little corn! It costs C$12 per roll and it is right next to the Fisher’s Cave Hotel in Brigg Bay (to the right when you walk out of the marina getting off the panga).  

GRANADA

This small colonial Spanish style town is definitely worth visiting on your trip to Nicaragua. It is a great stop to break up the trip to or from San Juan del Sur. Everything is within walking distance and most hotels, restaurants and bars are very close to the city center. Two full days can give you a good feel for the city.

Getting There

You can get to Granada by bus or by taxi. From Managua to Granada, it will take 50 minutes to 1 hour by taxi and will cost $20-$25US. You can also take the local bus for $2US and take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. If taking the bus, you have to factor in the cost to get from the airport to the bus station though. Taxi’s will try to charge you $10-$15US for this. Nestor, a driver based on Managua (+505 8564 5834) would be a good option if taking a taxi straight from the airport to Granada.

If coming from San Juan del Sur, it will take you about an hour and a half to get there by taxi. A taxi will cost around $40-$50US. There are regular shuttles that go from the city for $25US per person. If you have time to spare, you can take the chicken bus from San Juan Del Sur to Granada (changing buses in Rivas). It costs C$30 for first bus and C$50 for second bus. They will charge you an extra C$50 if your luggage is too big to fit inside the bus and this takes about 3 hours total.

Where to Stay

• Tribal Hotel – if budget isn’t an issue, this beautiful boutique hotel just a few blocks away from the city center. A room costs between $150-$200US per night and breakfast is included.
• Casa Del Agua – has AC, pool and continental breakfast included. Owner is very friendly and accommodating. $25-$30 USD per night for a room for 2.
• Selina Granada – offering everything from private rooms to dorms, this hotel is a great option if working remote. They offer long stay discounts and have a dedicated working area. A private room and bathroom costs $50-$70US during the dry season and a room with 4 single beds and a private bathroom $75-$100US.
• Hostel De Boca en Boca – no AC, private room from $22 and dorm from $10.
• Casa Tulipan – great for a family looking to rent a house. It costs $60US per night for 2 bedrooms with AC and a private pool.

What to Do

• Visit the Masaya Volcano at night – take a tour for $22US per person that includes transportation, the entrance fee and a guide. The tour leaves at 4:30pm the city center (the tour operator will pick you up from your hotel). You will arrive prior to sunset at the volcano, learn about its history, walk around the area and then stay until it gets dark so you can see the lava bubbling in the center. The tour arrives back to the city at around 7:30pm.
• Explore Las Isletas – a set of 365 islands that were formed by the explosion of the Mombacho Volcano. It’s a great place to bird watch, see some monkeys and other animals.
  • You can take a guided tour with Buena Tour Operator for $20 per person but if you speak Spanish, it’s cheaper and just as easy to do it yourself. If you decide to do the Masaya Volcano Tour and Las Isletas tour, they have a combo deal for $38 for both
  • If you do it yourself, take a taxi from the city center to La Cabana Amarilla for C$20 per person. Text ahead via WhatsApp (+505 8475 7981) and organize a kayak rental for $8USD each person (they will start at $20USD) for 2 hours.
  • In two hours, you can kayak to Monkey Island (download the offline map on google maps before you go so you know where the island is) and back.
  • Puerto Asese, another option to taxi to and rent kayaks but it’s on the other side of the peninsula and so you miss out on some of the main islands.  
  • Make sure to bring a dry bag or a waterproof phone case as your things will get wet in the kayak.
• Walk around Parque Central – shop for souvenirs and see the Iglesia Catedral Inmaculada Concepción de María.
• Go to the top of Iglesia La Merced – this Cathedral has the best view of the city. Walk to the top of the bell tower for $1 USD. The best time to go is around sunset on a clear day.
• Magician Lounge – if you’re looking for something different to do at night, check out this magic show. There are two shows every night, one at 6pm and one 9pm, it’s $10US per person and includes drinks.
• Dance at the Treehouse Jungle Rave – every Friday night, the Treehouse Hostel throws a jungle rave party located just outside the city. It costs $20US to attend which includes a shirt, glow paint and roundtrip transportation from The Townhouse Hostel (leaves 4pm, 5pm, 6pm & 8pm & returns 12am, 2am, 3am & 4am).
• Masaya is a town that is fairly close to Granada and used to be known for its market but it’s not worth going out of your way to see. The market does have a lot of great souvenirs but finding what you are looking for might be very hard as there are many stands full of everything from daily household items to food to souvenirs. If Masaya is a town you decide to visit, you can take the chicken bus for C$20 each way from the bus stop on Avenue Vega, one block south from el Parque Central.

Where to Eat

• Tostometro – famous for their plantain burgers, this small restaurant is located in the central market in the back of a clothing store. A burger costs C$170 and it’s worth trying their fresh tea for C$30. They have a great vegetarian option too!
• Garden Café – a more westernized café with a nice garden patio and a variety of food options. A meal will cost you $7-10US.
• Calle La Caldeza – a pedestrian only street with many restaurant and bar options.
• Tito’s Restaurante – a local spot that’s cheap and has kareoke. The food can be hit or miss but the fish filet C$225 was good. It costs C$150 for traditional Nicaraguan meal (rice, beans, plantains, beef or chicken). It does also get really hot in the restaurant as there is not much air flow.
• Comedor La Parada – for a quick cheap meal, this food stand at the Masaya bus stop on Avenue Vega serves a meal for C$70 (rice, plantains, beans, meat), or C$35 for a vegetarian dish.  

SAN JUAN DEL SUR

Known for great surf beaches and Sunday Funday, San Juan Del Sur is the most popular city for tourists to visit and expats to run their own business. It is a great place to learn how to surf, and a great place for advanced surfers who want to catch waves every day. It also is popular for Nicaraguans to vacation here, especially during Semana Santa (Easter week) as this is one of best places in Central America to celebrate the holiday.

Getting There

You can get to San Juan Del Sur (SJDS) by bus, shuttle or by taxi. From Managua to SJDS, it will take 2.5 hours by taxi and will cost $50-$60US. You can also take a direct local bus for C$100 which takes 3 hours (make sure it’s direct otherwise it will take a lot longer). But you still need to get a taxi from the airport to the bus station which will cost $15-$20 USD. Nestor, a driver based on Managua (+505 8564 5834) would be a good option if taking a taxi straight from the airport to SJDS.

If coming from Granada, it will take you about an hour and 45 minutes to get there by taxi. A taxi will cost around $30-35US. There are regular shuttles that go from the city for $25US per person. If you have time to spare, you can take the chicken bus from Granada to San Juan Del Sur (changing buses in Rivas). It costs C$50 for first bus to Rivas and C$30 for second bus and takes about 3 hours.

Because SJDS is so close to the Costa Rican border, it is also a good option to fly into Liberia and cross the border. It costs $30 to take the Tica shuttle bus or about $5US to take the local bus.

Where to Stay

It’s best to stay at a hotel or hostel that is in the city center near the main beach. There are many options that are outside the main streets but it’s best to avoid walking in isolated areas at night.

• Salt Water Hostel – a great new hostel just a few blocks from the beach. Owners are super helpful and it’s a nice place to relax. There is a restaurant, bar and shared kitchen as well. They offer private double rooms with private bathrooms for $50US per night and dorms start at $12US per person. The walls are thin though so bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Some rooms offer AC.
• Cloud 9 Hotel – a great place if you are planning to work remote. They have great Wi-Fi, a full shared kitchen and lots of open lounge spaces. Single room is about $25-$30US per night with shared bath, private bath is about $40-$50US per night. They provide long term rates as well. You can contact the manager Nayla if you have inquiries about longer stays +34 695 16 13 38. All rooms have AC.
• Casa Oro Eco Hostel – offers both dorms and private rooms. A bed in a dorm cost $12US per night and a private room & bathroom cost $35 per night. Some rooms offer AC.
• Hotel Victoriano – if budget isn’t an issue, this is a good place to stay with a beach and ocean view. A room for two people costs $150US per night. All rooms have AC and a TV.
• Selina Maderas – if you just want to surf every day and also are working remote, this is definitely the place to stay as they have a cowork space. It is about 20 minutes outside the main city which is a bit of a trek, but fine if you go infrequently.

What to Do

• Sunday Funday – the most well-known party in Nicaragua that takes you to 4 different locations over the course of the afternoon and evening. Tickets go on sale at 10:30am at Pachamama the day of but you can also buy tickets ahead of time online. It starts at 1pm and costs $30US which includes a t-shirt. Girls also drink free from 1-2pm.
• Hike to the Christ of Mercy (Jesus) Statue – walk along the beach up the road. It will cost $2 to enter, but it’s a beautiful view of the coastline and bay. Bring a cold beverage with you to enjoy at the top.
• Surf – there are many beaches around the area that are great for surfing. Surf lessons start at $25US and includes transportation.
  • Playa Maderas:
    • $5 round trip by bus and leaves from Casa Oro and about 30 minutes to get there – it’s best to grab a spot early on the bus as it fills up.
    • Bus leaves SJDJ at 10am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:45pm.
    • Bus leaves Playa Maderas at 10:45am, 1:15pm, 3:15pm and 6:30pm.
    • You can rent a surfboard at the beach for $10US for the day.
  • There are many other beaches to surf in the area. Playa Hermosa – shuttle costs $10US per person but you need a minimum of 4 people. Playa Remanso – shuttle costs $5US per person but you need a minimum of 4 people.
• Swim at Night – the water is so warm at night it’s worth taking a sunset dip. When the sky gets dark you can float around in the ocean and see all the stars.
• Celebrate Semana Santa – if you are visiting in the Spring and want to experience a Semana Santa celebration in Central America, this is one of the best places to do it. Easter weekend is one of the most celebrated holidays for locals and many end up traveling to SJDS for the week long beach party.

Where to Eat

• Art Warehouse – a westernized café that services smoothies, healthy breakfast and lunch options. They also host art events every week. Only open for breakfast and lunch.
• Mercado Municipal – a great cheap option for breakfast or lunch. Clementina is good (they close a bit too early for dinner) and have many local options. Breakfast is C$80, lunch is C$100 and fresh fish dish is C$250. You can also buy an avocado for C$40 in the market and add it to your meal.
• La Lancha – great seafood restaurant right on the beach. A seafood entre here will cost you around C$450-$500.
• Simon Says – open for breakfast and lunch, this café serves a mix of local and western food, including smoothies. It also sometimes is open for pop up dinners.
• Street food – during Semana Santa you can get a plate of rice, beans, plantains for C$40. A plate that includes meat will cost C$100-C$120.
• The Beach House – if budget isn’t an issue, this restaurant is right on the beach and has a great view of the ocean and sunset.
• Loa Frances – if you are craving pasta, located right across the street from the AM PM.

Where to Drink:

There are many places to go out around the town and with the city vibe and beach views it’s hard to go wrong anywhere but below are a few spots to try.

• Arribas Bar – more of a club vibe with dancing that gets packed on weekends.
• Tuani’s – at the end of the beach near the pier, a restaurant that turns into lively spot to dance.
• Isabella’s Bar – a more casual bar right on the beach, great for a happy hour hangout or day drink.