Area Description: Dear guests, we’d like welcome you to Bahía Del Sol in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. We are honored and excited that you have chosen Bahia del Sur for your stay in our small, peaceful, friendly, and safe fishing and tourist village, which boasts of having a good choice of restaurants, bars, shops, banks with ATM services and especially its excellent, beautiful and pristine beaches for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, diving and fishing. Hotel Bahia Del Sol Villas & Condominiums is located in the most exclusive neighborhood in town. We are located just 2.2 km north from La Alcaldia Municipal in San Juan del Sur, just 5 minutes’ walk to the beach and 10 minutes’ walk to town. If you are not in the mood to walk, and you don’t have a car with you, please do not hesitate to approach the front desk and feel free to ask the receptionist for a taxi to go to town to any other destination of your choice. Our nine Vi ... [Read More]

Area Description: Dear guests, we’d like welcome you to Bahía Del Sol in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. We are honored and excited that you have chosen Bahia del Sur for your stay in our small, peaceful, friendly, and safe fishing and tourist village, which boasts of having a good choice of restaurants, bars, shops, banks with ATM services and especially its excellent, beautiful and pristine beaches for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, diving and fishing. Hotel Bahia Del Sol Villas & Condominiums is located in the most exclusive neighborhood in town. We are located just 2.2 km north from La Alcaldia Municipal in San Juan del Sur, just 5 minutes’ walk to the beach and 10 minutes’ walk to town. If you are not in the mood to walk, and you don’t have a car with you, please do not hesitate to approach the front desk and feel free to ask the receptionist for a taxi to go to town to any other destination of your choice. Our nine Villas comprise the most exciting and newest hotel resort in San Juan Del Sur, and its location lets you have the opportunity to rest and relax and enjoy your stay away from hustle and bustle of the town. Each of us in Bahia del Sol will play a role to ensure you a pleasant and relaxing stay, so please take a few minutes to read through the information in this room book. It includes information about our facilities, services and other important information. If we can do anything to make your stay more pleasant, please let us know and we will do our best to make sure that your stay is very comfortable. Each one of our villas has a large terrace with a nice ocean view to enjoy the sea breeze. There is also wireless internet access in each unit. There is a collective pool onsite for all the in-house guests of Bahia del Sol. Each villa features 3 comfortable bedrooms. The master bedroom with 1 king size bed and its own private bathroom, Each one of the fully furnished Villas is very spacious 2300 sq. ft. (213 m2) unit. They were designed and constructed using local building materials and modern architecture to give each luxury Villa a unique Nicaraguan flavor with modern theme. Internet. We have wireless internet available for our guests use, free of charge, available in the villas and at the reception desk. The password to access the internet wireless network is written on a tag stuck on the MODEM or ROUTER. Minibar. The refrigerator in the kitchen has been assorted with some drinks like beer, soda, coca cola, and wine for your enjoyment, however, these are not free of charge and they are not included in your accommodation charge either, therefore there is a list on the door of the refrigerator with the information of the prices of these products which can be added to your room bill and settled at the check-out time. Electricity. Nicaragua has an erratic system of electricity and the hotel may experience power outages. They are normally of short duration and affect all of San Juan del Sur and surrounding areas. However, there are some occasions when a power outage might last 6 or 8 hours in the worst case scenario. Air conditioners: Each villa has user-friendly central AC control attached to the wall. The control has a little lever to flick it on, and a second one to choose your preferred temperature. In the interest of energy conservation, we ask that you please turn off the A/C units when you leave your villa. Thank you for your consideration. Kitchen: There is an inventory of all the items that there are in the kitchen such as utensils, pots and pans, spoons, forks, plates, dishes, etc… So please take your time to verify that there is not any item missing, and if this is the case, please let the maids or the reception staff know. If you have satisfactorily received this list of items complete, and after an inspection of the villa by the maids is seen that there is something missing, it will be added to your room bill at a replacement cost. Maids: They are available to assist you with the cleaning of the villa every day from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Please let the reception staff know if you need their assistance. Water. The water in San Juan del Sur is treated and potable (safe for brushing your teeth, washing your hands, dishes, and for bathing); nonetheless your room is equipped with bottled water for your consumption. Please take special care to stay hydrated as your body adjusts to our warm, tropical climate. Please do not flush toilet paper or other sanitary products! You will find a waste basket in the bathroom for this purpose. Whenever possible we kindly request that you practice water conservation. Please keep the key with you all the time: Do not leave your key in the villa nor stuck in the door lock, and do not give the key to any other person. Please try to not lose or misplace your key. Please return your key to the front desk clerk when you check out of the hotel. Please lock your door: Close your doors and windows every time you leave the villa. While you are in the villa, use the door bolt for additional safety and privacy. PLEASE FIRST IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO KNOCK AT YOUR DOOR: Do not let anybody in the villa unless you fully identify or know him/her. If you do not recognize the person, call the front desk for assistance. HELP WITH YOUR LUGGAGE?: Please call the front desk at the phone extension 0, and we will gladly have someone help you to carry your luggage and put it in your car. You can also let our reception staff know in advance what time you are checking out one day before or early the same day to help you and have everything ready for you without any delay. Pools. There are currently 2 pools located within the hotel where a beautiful sunset can be enjoyed while sipping on a Margarita or a Pina Colada. Our 2 pools are open from 06:00am to 10:00pm every day. Pool use is included in your accommodations rate for all registered hotel guests. We do request a limit of 1 towel per person. Please be aware that there are no lifeguards at the pools and that our staff retains the right to ask any guest to leave the pool or pool area for improper or unsafe behavior. There is a replacement charge for each towel not returned to the receptionist/cashier this will be placed automatically on your room bill. Towels for the pools are available at the front desk. Please do not use the room towels at poolside. Check in/out Times. Guests may begin checking in at 3:00 pm. Check out is at 1:00 pm in the afternoon. In order to best serve our guests, we recommend that you leave sufficient time to review your final bill before check out. If you have an early departure, we would be pleased to complete your check out the night before. Please inform our reception staff of your wishes. Nicaragua is a land of adventure waiting to unfold. We encourage you to discover all the little wonders, culture and history this tranquil bay community and its surrounding areas have to offer. San Juan del Sur and the neighboring regions are filled with adventure, culture and history. We’d be thrilled to assist you in experiencing the world of difference that Nicaragua has to offer. Whether that means going horseback riding in the surrounding hills, canopy tour, visiting artisan markets in Masaya or touring one of Nicaragua’s colonial cities such as Granada or Leon we can make it happen! We are here to help you coordinate all of your activities! For more details about our regional excursions, or to make a reservation, come see us at the front desk. However, you need not venture far in order to have an extraordinary time. There are plenty of activities available nearby to fill your days with excitement! Take a moment to look over the many possibilities that await you. We would be thrilled to assist you in planning your next adventure! In the following pages you will find more details about our tours or excursions. Bahia del Sol employs security guards to assist in ensuring the safety and security of our guests, and of our property. Although we offer a secure environment, we recommend that you do not leave personal belongings out on your patios overnight. We do not accept responsibility for any such losses. If you have any doubts be sure to check in with us, and remember, this is a beautiful place, we are delighted to share our home with you, and we will do all that we can to secure your safety, relaxation and enjoyment! We are thrilled that you are here! Your comfort is our first priority and we look forward to making your stay with us an unforgettable and luxurious experience. We hope this guide will provide the answers to your questions. In the meantime we will do our best to make sure that your every need is met so please do not hesitate to make your wishes be known. Transportation. If you require local transportation please be sure to give reception as much advanced notice as possible in order for the staff to have enough time in advance to call to get a taxi. If you would like transportation to the airport, please notify reception of your return flight and time and how many in your party. This information must be received at least 2 full days prior to your departure in order for us to organize your transportation. Please consult the front desk for the current transportation prices. Sailing Adventures Explore the local coastline of San Juan del Sur. We can help you to arrange two types of trips; a full day sail (including beachcombing, snacks and beverages and a gourmet barbecue lunch), and a breathtaking sunset cruise. We don’t mind saying that both are spectacular; you’ll be treated to delicious snacks and drinks for the duration of your sail. Sea Kayaks Enjoy a peaceful morning or afternoon ride cruising along the beautiful bay of San Juan del Sur in one Kayak. Life vests, paddles, helmets and operation instructions are included. Hourly, daily and weekly rentals are available; adult and child size kayaks are available, too. Panga Tours “Panga” is the local term for an outboard motor fishing boat. These types of boats are available for hire to explore the phenomenal coastline and pristine beaches, or for a day of fishing. San Juan del Sur is a fishing village, perhaps most famous for the local favorite pargo (red snapper). Rooster fish, tuna, and the ever-elusive red snapper are also among the anticipated catch of the day…you can bring one back turn it into your dinner! We will be glad to make a reservation for your maritime excursion – just let us know when you would like to book your boat trip! Surf’s up! Nicaragua is quickly becoming known as a surfer’s paradise – here in Central America and throughout the world. With steady winds year-round and its remote beaches, Nicaragua is the new up and coming surf destination. Whether you are a beginner or a shredder, we know the guides who know the waves. Rental gear is also available. Sea Turtles Local wildlife refuge, Playa La Flor, is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the olive ridley sea turtle, and about a 40 minutes’ drive to the south. From July to December, up to 8,000 female sea turtles crawl ashore at La Flor and lay their eggs in the amazing phenomenon known as the arribada (“the arrival”). It is one of just a handful of beaches in the world that witness such a spectacle. Do not miss it!! Canopy Tours Close to San Juan del Sur is “Da Flying Frog Canopy Tour,” where you can experience the thrill of zipping through the forests and soak in the majestic views of this wonderful bay community and the sparkling blue of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a 2.5 kilometers ride with 17 platforms in contact with nature. It is definitely safe for all ages. Please let us know when and what time you would like to make a reservation. They are open every day from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 04:00pm. Hiking The mountains surrounding our bay are great for hiking. We can point you to the Cross (La Cruz), or to several neighboring beaches. We can also coordinate guided hikes for you. Be sure to bring lots of water and stay hydrated during your hike – it can get hot! Horseback Riding Experience the terrain and beauty surrounding San Juan del Sur on guided horseback tours. Perfect for both beginners and experienced riders. Please check on availability and current prices with the reception clerk. Classic Cruisers If you would like to drive out yourself for a fun, bumpy and rough ride to the southern or northern beaches we can get a classic cruiser for you, which is a 4x4 JEEP to hit the dirt, muddy, slippery and bumpy roads and trails to the beaches. Ask for the Johnny Classic Cruisers at the front desk. ATVs Rentals (QUADS/FOURWHEELERS) Meet the most beautiful landscapes of Nicaragua. Get on an ATV on a nature trail to see all the tourist attractions of San Juan del Sur. From the beaches to the mountains, on an ATV, you can discover the best routes in San Juan del Sur that you never thought you would see. Contact us at the front desk to reserve your ATV guided tour or ATV rental. Dining and Entertainment Following the daily spectacle of sunset (remarkable and breathtaking in every way), San Juan has a few additional diversions. Ask our staff for current available locations to have fun in this town. We will be glad to recommend some Bar & Restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or dinner in town. Would you like to hire a private cook? You don’t want to bother yourself cooking your meals? You don’t want to sweat or burn yourself preparing your food in the kitchen? Don’t worry about it! We can get a private cook for you to prepare your meals such as breakfast, lunch or dinner or all the meals in your villa, or just one or a couple of meals a day during your stay. Private cook service is available when you reserve well in advance. Private Bartender Service? If you would like us to hire someone to prepare drinks or cocktails for you during your stay for a private meeting or small party in your villa, we can have the right person to serve you so you can have a fun, comfortable, relaxing and pleasant time, so you don’t have to get yourself involved in making and serving yourself the drinks or cocktails, you just have to have fun, enjoy, relax and entertain your guests, friends or family. Groceries Shopping Service You don’t want bother yourself carrying baskets or boxes with products and groceries because you find that it is such a drag load everything in the car and then unload it and take it inside to your villa? Well… let us take care of it for you! You just have to provide us a shopping list in advance and then we will go shopping for you in town in the nearest supermarket to get all your food and ingredients that you will need during your stay. We will put it in your bill for your convenience, so you can pay everything at the check-out time. Learn Spanish! Enhance your vacation – make it a true cultural experience! There are many Spanish language schools in town that offer expert instruction with courses specifically designed for travelers and explorers. They also offer cultural activities and much more! For more information, please ask the reception clerk for assistance. Regional Excursions Day Trips Volcanoes and Artisans: Masaya and Pueblos Blancos. The full day trip includes exploration of active volcanoes like Masaya volcano, shopping in the artisan markets of Masaya, San Juan de Oriente, Catarina, and sampling the local cuisine. Colonial Granada by Horse Drawn Carriage and Boat: This full day trip includes touring the oldest colonial city in the Americas by horse drawn carriage, a lunch stop in a typical Nicaraguan restaurant, followed by a boat tour through the 365 island archipelago. Mombacho Cloud Forest and Laguna del Apoyo: Explore the natural wonders of the cloud forest and nature preserve of Volcán Mombacho. After hiking through the orchids and bromeliads of the cloud forest, there is an option for a canopy tour. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing lunch and a swim at Laguna de Apoyo, a volcanic crater surrounded by lush vegetation. Overnight Trips León: We’ll drive you approximately 5 hours to León for a memorable colonial city experience coupled with volcano hikes. The first attention is spent in the city experiencing the art, poetry and history of Nicaragua. Spend the night in a gorgeous El Convento Hotel and wake up early the next day for an incredible hike of Cerro Negro. Optional tours include visiting a beautiful crater lagoon “La Laguna del Tigre”, the ruins of León Viejo or Isla Juan Venado Wildlife Reserve for bird and crocodile watching. Ometepe Island: During this expedition we will take you to the most interesting places of Ometepe, our first place to visit will be Punta Jesus Maria, the narrow peninsula with black volcanic sand, then will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn about Charco Verde which is a crater lake full of myth and surrounded by a great biodiversity of both, flora and fauna. After that, we will visit the natural spring which is a very refreshing swimming hole and the Beach of Santo Domingo located right between two volcanoes, there after we will have the chance to witness archeological sites with pre-Columbian stone status, and more than 3000 thousand years old petroglyphs located in the classic Magdalena coffee farm, this pretty farm, is also famous for their organic and tasty coffee. San Juan del Sur is a small, easily walkable village; very quiet and safe. However, on the weekends and during certain Saint’s days, local and national holidays, the town can be quite active. We suggest that you carry a minimal amount of cash, and be smart about your surroundings as you would be in any new destination anywhere in the world. Generally it is safer to travel in larger groups, to not carry much cash, credit cards, or other valuables, and to disperse what you do carry about your person in different pockets. Also, please keep track of back packs if you set them down. We find it is better to hand it to a friend to hold onto if needed. Please travel with a COPY of your passport rather than the passport itself. We recommend leaving passports locked in your room. Our beaches are lovely, and many are remote…this makes them alluring to both tourists and unfortunately those who would take advantage of these tourists. For the beaches that we currently recommend please visit the front desk. We also advise that when you travel with your group that you do not do so after dark and that you stay to the center of the beach rather than exploring far ends. As well, please do use caution in the evenings while exploring San Juan del Sur, keeping to better lit, more traveled streets. We very much want you to visit the many shops and restaurants in town, and if you are doing so at night, please exercise caution and common sense. We are happy to arrange transportation for you. With advance notice we can arrange most drop offs and pickups transportations in town. Climate & Weather Throughout the months of December through May, rain is quite rare. These months are logically known as the high season tourism months due to the endless amounts of tropical sun which will bathe your days. There are days, however, when strong winds, passing from the Atlantic Ocean over Lake Nicaragua towards the Pacific Ocean, may slightly affect the almost idyllic weather. The advantage of these winds is a cooling effect and a truly natural experience. During this dry summer season, most trees lose their leaves, offering a somewhat bare-looking landscape. Even in the tropics do trees experience their own seasons! Following high season arrives the vibrant and fresh “green season”. Typically the season will begin around May and extend through December. Rain in the dry tropical forest is not as much or as often as in a tropical rainforest. And when it rains you’ll be enthralled by its refreshing smell and sound. Outdoor activities will not be spoiled by tropical rain showers. On the contrary, trekking through a wet and “growing while you walk” tropical dry forest will clean your lungs and make you feel alive. Generally, it will rain two to three times a week most likely in the afternoon and even more likely at night. The days are evenly distributed between partly clear skies or overcast. You will experience this rain for what it is: the catalyst of life in the ecosystem. Due to afternoon clouds, the months of August through November may bring cooler weather, i.e.--high 70s. However, during January through April the temperature rockets to the mid-80s. July 15th is the middle of a 6-week mini, dry season. In recent years, however, the weather has turned less and less predictable. This weather period is often referred to as canicula and though it is not guaranteed to be rain free, the possibility of rain during this time of the year is much less than the rest of the green season. What to bring? The dress code in Nicaraguan Hotels and Bar & Restaurants on, in front or close to the beach is informal. Guests are encouraged to bring only lightweight, casual clothing, sunscreen, a bathing suit, sturdy shoes or hiking boots and a large beam flashlight. Are the beaches safe for swimming? While the Pacific Ocean has always been known for its infamous currents, the crescent-shaped bay naturally inhibits rip tides, making morning and afternoon swims, safe and enjoyable. Be cautious during high tide as you might feel some light undercurrents. Since there are not lifeguard services on the beaches, we encourage that you use the “buddy system” when swimming. What is the average water temperature in the beach? The water temperature in southern Nicaragua, just like in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, varies throughout the year. From May to December, the water is very warm as one would expect in tropical waters. From January through March and certain days in April, the Humboldt current, which touches the Pacific coast of Central America during this time of the year, sharply affects the temperature of the water, making it a little chillier. Does it make sense to rent a car in Nicaragua and is it safe? While renting a car in Nicaragua can be called a challenging adventure in driving and mapping skills, it is certainly an option. The main roads are generally in good conditions, but smaller roads are in poor conditions and there is virtually no signage. If you have already driven in Latin America, then finding cows or horses crossing the streets should bring back good memories. Street vendors or people walking on the sides of the roads are also very common. If you would like to rent a car please let us know 1 day or 3 hours in advance to make a car reservation for you. Can everything be paid in US dollars or do I need local currency? Nicaragua’s currency is called the Cordoba. One US dollar is approximately 22 Nicaraguan Cordobas. However, while you are staying in Bahia del Sol cash will not be necessary. All your expenses can be charged to your room and when you check out, we will accept US dollars, Cordobas or credit cards. If you plan on doing excursions to nearby sites like Granada, los Pueblos Blancos or Ometepe Volcano, carrying one, five and ten US dollar bills would definitely be recommended as well as some local currency. Most businesses and restaurants accept US dollars. Euros and other currencies are not commonly accepted in Nicaragua. You can well exchange your US dollars or Euros for Cordobas at any of the 3 banks in San Juan del Sur like BDF, BAC or BANCENTRO.