Here is a list of the top 5 San Juan del Sur Must Do's.

1. Visit the Beaches

San Juan del Sur, a sleepy little town on the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua, offers spectacular beaches and clear blue water that is excellent for surfing and swimming. Boating is also very common. You can see many exotic birds like pelicans. The beaches are a joy for the photographer tourist who can take photos of the amazing rock formations and pounding surf at the beaches. There are some great beaches to the south like Playa del Coco that offer more privacy but are less accessible.

2. Visit the Central Market

The central market is literally situated in the center of San Juan del Sur. It opens early in the morning and closes by 4 p.m. in the evening. It is also closed on Sundays. There are a number of food stalls here that sell all kinds of eatables like fresh fruit and vegetables at quite reasonable rates. You can order pancakes and eggs along with a glass of juice or smoothie for breakfast. For lunch, you can have some local Nicaraguan food that would include a soup, salad and a meat dish. Some shops deal in clothes especially beach-wear and sandals. You can also meet a cobbler who will fix your shoes if they need to be repaired!

3. Surfing and Scuba Lessons

This is a great opportunity to learn surfing and take scuba lessons as there are a number of schools offering them at reasonable rates. Each lesson costs about $10 per person.

4. Day Trip to Playa Madera

You can plan to spend a day at Playa Madera, which is a beach that has lots of sand to build sandcastles. You can also enjoy surfing. You can go there by water taxi or take a bike. The water taxi costs $8 per person. It leaves around 10 a.m. and returns by 4 p.m.. A water taxi will cost  between $12 and $16 for 2 people, depending on your bargaining skills. The drive is not an easy one and you can be asked by the taxi driver to exit the cab and walk up the hill. If you intend to take a bike, you can rent one for $5 a day. If you plan to stay the night, you can rent a room at a guest house or the various hostels available.

5. Learn Spanish

You can find a school that teaches Spanish. The schools offer you the ability to speak as well as understand spoken Spanish. They also expose you to the political, social and cultural realities of Nicaragua. These courses are available at very reasonable rates and if you have some time to spare, you can come back from your vacation with a smattering of Spanish to impress your family and friends.