What's it like to drive in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
George Cooper - Casa de Cooper
Driving in San Juan del Sur is like driving in any small town. The streets are narrow, the speed limit is "slow" and the stop signs sometimes mean just slow down before entering the intersection. There is the main road leading into San Juan del Sur, followed by 4 streets going North and South. There are no traffic signals; just stop signs and "no turn" signs.
When driving in San Juan del Sur, just be slow...
Driving in San Juan del Sur is like driving in any small town. The streets are narrow, the speed limit is "slow" and the stop signs sometimes mean just slow down before entering the intersection. There is the main road leading into San Juan del Sur, followed by 4 streets going North and South. There are no traffic signals; just stop signs and "no turn" signs.
When driving in San Juan del Sur, just be slow and stay alert. Sometimes, cars will be stopped in the middle of the street with the driver carrying on a conversation with someone. A little bump on the horn will get them moving. Drive safely by all means and be polite. Lock your car when you park.
Above is a picture of one of the markers of the street just across from the main church and town park. There are names for the streets but most people will just direct you to a street with reference to the beach or the service station as you enter San Juan del Sur. Don't be afraid as you won't get lost driving in San Juan del Sur. Just so you know, the building above is the visitor center. The picture is of Sandenno, a National hero.
Posted June 20, 2014
Eugenio Cortez - Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan´s Rock
Driving in San Juan Del Sur can be a little uncomfortable because there are so many people on the streets. People walk everywhere in San Juan Del Sur, so using is car is not recommended because you will be afraid that you might hit someone with your car. People suddenly pop out from out of nowhere, so it will be nerve racking; not only for your safety, but for the safety of other people that you may hit with your car. You definitely have to drive very slowly at around 15 to 20...
Driving in San Juan Del Sur can be a little uncomfortable because there are so many people on the streets. People walk everywhere in San Juan Del Sur, so using is car is not recommended because you will be afraid that you might hit someone with your car. People suddenly pop out from out of nowhere, so it will be nerve racking; not only for your safety, but for the safety of other people that you may hit with your car. You definitely have to drive very slowly at around 15 to 20 miles per hour.
Some people in San Juan Del Sur have ATVs. And you will commonly see bicycles, motorcycles and other smaller modes of transportation.
Posted December 31, 2014
Julie Speier - San Juan del Sur Day School
Driving here in San Juan Del Sur is fun. Maintaining your vehicle is not fun, but driving is a lot fun. I am a driver. I love driving. I like going off road. I like steep hills. I like using a four-wheel drive. I love driving on the beach and I like unregulated driving. San Juan Del Sur still has that feel when you drive around here. When you drive here in San Juan Del Sur, you will drive on farm roads and beach roads. It is not a smooth ride. I just had a...
Driving here in San Juan Del Sur is fun. Maintaining your vehicle is not fun, but driving is a lot fun. I am a driver. I love driving. I like going off road. I like steep hills. I like using a four-wheel drive. I love driving on the beach and I like unregulated driving. San Juan Del Sur still has that feel when you drive around here. When you drive here in San Juan Del Sur, you will drive on farm roads and beach roads. It is not a smooth ride. I just had a friend who was visiting and got carsick on the way to and from town. If you are not used to the bumps on the road, you wouldn’t like it but I do love driving here in San Juan Del Sur.
What I do not like is maintaining cars in San Juan del Sur because the roads are so rough and it is always so hot. There are decent mechanics here but not great mechanics. Sometimes you can find parts and sometimes, they have to make the part on the spot. But “it is what it is” and in general, I do get a kick out of driving here.
(Kids playing on a dirt path in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, pictured.)
Posted December 28, 2015
David Smith - Nicaragua Sotheby's International Realty
The driving in San Juan del Sur is surprisingly steady. San Juan del Sur isn’t very big: five streets by five streets and you can walk it all in 25 minutes. You’re driving slowly and steadily and it’s easy. Parking is not a problem and it’s very easy. The streets are wider than you would find in colonial cities. There’s room for parking cars and still enough room for one or two cars to pass one another. The streets are...
The driving in San Juan del Sur is surprisingly steady. San Juan del Sur isn’t very big: five streets by five streets and you can walk it all in 25 minutes. You’re driving slowly and steadily and it’s easy. Parking is not a problem and it’s very easy. The streets are wider than you would find in colonial cities. There’s room for parking cars and still enough room for one or two cars to pass one another. The streets are cobbled but they’re new cobbled.
Outside of San Juan del Sur the roads are excellent. Compared with Costa Rica, our nearest neighbor to the south, the roads in Nicaragua are celebrated. They’re extremely good. The one road that goes north to the surfing beaches is not yet paved and it’s bumpy and rough and dusty. But coming into town and going out of town and all the way to Managua and all the way to Granada or going south to Costa Rica, the roads are paved and better quality than you find in the US.
(Street in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, pictured.)
Posted September 10, 2016
Elisha MacKay
Driving in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua is like being in a video game such as "Frogger," a game from many years ago where vehicles are just coming at you in every direction all the time. If you're driving here in San Juan Del Sur, you must be very active in your driving. You really must pay attention and must be really cautious. Never assume that people are going to stay in their own lanes. People will pass you on the inside. People will...
Driving in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua is like being in a video game such as "Frogger," a game from many years ago where vehicles are just coming at you in every direction all the time. If you're driving here in San Juan Del Sur, you must be very active in your driving. You really must pay attention and must be really cautious. Never assume that people are going to stay in their own lanes. People will pass you on the inside. People will pull out in front of you. Dogs and pigs will run out in front of you and the oncoming traffic. Sometimes you may encounter an ox cart or a cow crossing if you are on some of the secondary roads around San Juan Del Sur, but these animals can also be on some of the paved roads as well.
(Navigating the road with cattle, San Juan del Sur, Mexico,pictured.)
Posted June 9, 2017