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Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur

Small surf town with an emerging but real nomad/backpacker crossover scene

In San Juan del Sur, a mid-range month runs about $1,929 (NIO 70,885) and there is some violent crime city-wide.

Scores run from 1 to 10 and compare each place with every other destination on Nomadr. Higher is always better. Cost is shown as a level, from Very Low to Very High.

Cost (day-to-day)Not scored — one of the four inputs couldn’t be sourced.
Internet1.4/10

Slower internet than about 85% of cities

Visas5/10

Harder visas than about 65% of cities

Coworking4.8/10

Weaker coworking than about 60% of cities

English6/10

Less English-friendly than about 65% of cities

Walkability4.7/10

Harder to get around than about 60% of cities

Gyms & Wellness1.7/10

Fewer wellness options than about 95% of cities

Getting There4.9/10

Harder to reach than about 55% of cities

Scores are built from researched data, with sources cited on the categories we have them for — open any category below to see them.

35 categories for San Juan del Sur, grouped for quick scanning — coverage varies from city to city. Open any row for the full detail and any cited sources.

Money

Work

Life

Outdoor activities

Practical

The honest downsides

What we'd want to know before moving here.

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.

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  • Santa Teresa, Costa RicaSophisticated Pacific-coast surf town with real yoga-camp and dive infrastructure.
  • San José, Costa RicaCosta Rica's capital with the country's dedicated nomad visa and solid infrastructure
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa RicaCaribbean-side Costa Rica, a genuinely distinct reggae-surf vibe from the Pacific coast.
  • Bocas del Toro, PanamaCaribbean-side archipelago with a small but documented remote-work community