SPECIALS!!!!
PELICAN EYES http://PiedrasYOlas.com) has 50% off from Sept. 16-Nov. 10, '09!!! That means rooms starting as low as $80 plus tax & STILL includes Breakfast!!! This is an AWESOME deal!!!


We went the first week of Dec. which - the first two weeks of December tend to be the SLOWEST time of the year ANYWHERE so we went with NO reservations (I think these days, with travel being down a LOT, it will probably be the same except for holidays - especially New Years [around the 26th], any time the month of February & Easter/Samana Sante). You do what YOU feel comfortable with!!.

I will be adding more in the future - of places I inspected while there.

SECRET COVE INN http://SecretCoveInn.com / 8-411-9087-c #1 Donna / 8-978-5832-c #2-Donna / 8-672-3013-c Ray / 1-530-776-5480-from the U.S / NicaDonna@yahoo.com / info@SecretCoveInnNicaragua.com)
June & Sept. '09 - I stayed at the charming the Secret Cove Inn - a discrete private home/guest house/B&B (like myhttp://FountainsGuesthouse.com in Escazu, Costa Rica) conveniently located in the heart of town. Ray's running the place mainly now but Donna is still around & she's THE MEGA Yoga Instructor for the area (I joined in on one of her yoga classes with Mo at the Yoga community outside of town & yes, Donna IS a GREAT instructor!!!). The bed was REALLY COMFY (CRUCIAL for me!!!) & I felt right at home & enjoyed the other guests!! I'd DEFINITELY stay there again & again!!!
DIRECTIONS: Coming into town, take a Left at Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant (one of my FAVS!!), make an immediate Left. They're 1/2 block on the Right. Look for the tall discrete wooden fence with a #35 on it, ficus trees in big cement pots out front, a couple bouganvillas in square cement pots & a couple rough bamboo chairs.
If arriving by bus, walk north from the Centro Mercado 2 blocks to the 2-story place under construction & turn Right.


JOXI HOTEL - (505) 568-2032 / DamarisMora41@hotmail.com)
Located a tiny bit off the heart of the downtown (hence pretty quiet except for the standard Latin American rooster you find most everywhere) - just 1/2 block from the beach (so far enough from all that noise). My bed was REAL COMFY Bed (most rooms we saw have 1 set of twin bunk beds & one Double bed), Air conditioning (they'll give you a fan if you request it), private bathroom (lukewarm shower). ULTRA ULTRA ULTRA BASIC but WORTH IT!!! Upstairs overlooking the street there are 3 hammocks to just hang from & watch the world go by & a bunch of tables to commune! They have a little restaurant, and gift shop. LOVE IT FOR THE PRICE!!! Damaris is REALLY sweet!! INSPECTED & STAYED AT
RATES: $15/single (if they have any), $25/2

PELICAN EYES
http://PiedrasYOlas.com / 505-568-2110 / 1-866-350-0555-from U.S. / reservations@PiedrasYOlas.com)
LUXURY accommodations up on a hill with wonderful views - each unit with A/C & flow-through natural ventilation with ceiling fans, Satellite TV, Stereo, DVD, WiFi, Kitchenettes have small microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker, Gourmet Kitchens have a large Microwave, full gas stove and oven, large refrigerator with ice maker, coffee maker, fully equipped with a wide array of cooking utensils, pots, and pans, and table settings for 8, Purified Water, Private patio or terrace, large bathroom with HOT WATER, Full Breakfast (served 7-11am. Restaurants - La Cascada Bar & Restaurant & Bistro La Canoa (breakfast/lunch - bar closes at 6:30pm). Poolside Bar & Dining Service with an ocean view, Infinity Pool plus a 1/2-Olympic size Lap Pool. Free transportation within the property & limited free local services. My GOOD buds Todd & Wally with Hotel BulaBula in Playa Grande http://HotelBulaBula.com) SWEAR by this place!!!
RATES: Deluxe Room with Kitchenette, Q/Q or K - $140-Garden View. $160-Ocean View
1-bedroom, large bathroom, Kitchenette, Q/K or Q/Q - $160-Garden. $175-Ocean View
Cabina - large, Kitchenette, Q/Q - $160-Garden View. $175-Ocean View (Q/Q or K)
Luxury Cabina - Studio with large Bathroom, Kitchenette, Seating/Dining area, Q/Q - $175-Garden View. $185-Ocean View
Casita - 1-bedroom Casita, large Bathroom, spacious open area gourmet kitchen/ dining room/living room with Q futon couch. $175-Garden View-Q/Q. $195-Ocean View-Q/Q or K. $245-Ocean View with Dipping Pool-K.
Townhouse Villa - Large open & airy 1 bedroom townhouse, 2 bath, spacious open area gourmet kitchen/dining room/living room with Q futon couch, Q/Q. $210-Valley View. $225-Ocean View
Villa - Large open & airy 2 bedroom Casa, 2 bath, spacious open area gourmet kitchen/dining room/living room with Q futon couch. $210-Garden View-Q/Q or K (1-bath). $210-Garden View-Q/Q. $225-Ocean View-Q/Q or K (1 bath). $255-Ocean View-Q/Q or K. $300-Ocean View-Q/Q or K with Dipping Pool.

LA DOLCE VITA HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR
http://DolceVitaHotel.net / 505-855-0404 / 505-568-2649 / LaDolceV@ibw.com.ni)
1 block West of the Texaco at the cruz/split. NICE, CLEAN rooms with a King & Twin bed, with A/C AND Ceiling Fan, Cable TV, DVD, NICE bathrooms (cool water though). One of my FAV restaurants - O Sol Mio ITALIAN restaurant. Italian/Nicaraguan-owned.
RATES: Room 4, 5 & 6 - D - $30/$55/1, $40/$40/-2. Room #3-D - $35/$50/1, $45/$60/2. Room #1 - $50-low, $80-High - 1-3 people. #2 - D/T-T - $60/$90 (1-4 people).

Hotel el Puerto
(505-568-2661 / 823 5729 /http://NicaLiving.com/node/8552 / hotel-el-puerto@gmx.net [my experience is they didn't check their emails often)
Gertrude Goller (she speaks English) & Enrique Alvarez. Newer fan-cooled rooms have tasteful wooden furnishings, spotless bathroom (cold water) & a tiny view. 2 blocks off beach on the main street leading into town so might be a bit on the noisier side though the rooms are a building behind. TV only in common space. If you're looking for a pleasant, clean & secure hotel in SJDS this is a good bet (per Cynthia & Fred). INSPECTED
LOCATION: 1 block West of the Texico, 1 block East of El Gato Negro.
RATES: $30/n $5 for A/C?

HOTEL GRAN OCEANO
(505-568-2219 / 505-935-7034 / GOceano@ibw.com.ni.)
I REALLY liked the feel of this hotel! It was a more basic yet kinda cute decor but I found it to be very clean with small rooms, A/C AND Ceiling Fan, Bathroom with HOT SHOWERS ("suicide showers" so be VERY careful when turning it on! I'd turn it on with rubber shoes), cable TV & comfy beds. NICE courtyard & patio out front & lobby to just hang & watch life go by!! It's on a side street away from the craziness! The staff I met seemed REALLY NICE & HELPFUL! You can tell they've put some thought into this place - even for the price!! They specializing in coordinating Fishing Trips that I've heard quite a few people to RAVE about!! MY FAV for it's price category! INSPECTED
LOCATION: 1/2 block from the bay & 2 blocks from the Park
PRICE: $42/1, $46/2 (rooms for up to 5 people - $85) (includes tax & Breakfast)

HOTEL CASABLANCA
http://ElHotelCasaBlanca.com / 505-568-2135 / CasaBlanca@ibw.com.ni)
14 rooms: singles, doubles, and family-sized. Each room has a private bath with HOT WATER, A/C AND Ceiling Fans, safe, cable TV, mini-fridge. POOL, Reception from 8am-10pm, Parking, a BAC ATM Machine on their corner. Concierege & Alamo/National Car Rental on premise. They have their own bar & beach service on the beach across the street. Being across from the beach plus a big bar on the side, it's likely to be kind of noisy here but it's nice!
LOCATION: On the boardwalk/Malecon - Paseo Maritimo - in front of the water
RATES: $65/1, $69/2, 2nd floor Suite $98, Room for 6 - $136 ( 15% tax. Includes a Full Breakfast)

LA POSADA AZUL
http://LaPosadaAzul.com / 505-568-2524 / 505-647-5244 / 505-878-6071-cell / info@LaPosadaAzul.com)
A FUN Boutique Hotel with a NICE private pool, palapa bar (on the honor system where you simply mark off what you take), 7 NICE SPACIOUS rooms (#6 - the Pool Room is the most popular as it's right off the pool), each with private bathroom with HOT WATER, A/C AND Fan, 100% cotton linens, plush cotton towels & quality mattress (no phones or tvs). WiFi throughout!! They have a COOL BOUTIQUE (run by Jaimie) & BEAUTIFUL lobby! No kids under 12 unless you're renting the whole house. NO SMOKING.
TV in their large sala where you can catch the news, sporting events, or watch a movie. Cell phones available for rent to guests. INSPECTED
They also own Casa Antigua, a 3-bedroom rental home in Granada -http://CasaAntiguaGranada.com)
RATES: #1-Suite $120, other rooms - Q-$100, T/T-$100 ( 15% tax. Includes a Full Breakfast served from 7-10am)

VICTORIANO BOUTIQUE HOTEL
http://HotelVictoriano.com / 505-568-2005 / 505-568-2006 / info@HotelVictoriano.com)
The MOST UPSCALE hotel in San Juan del Sur - this beautiful Victorian Boutique Hotel is across the street from the Malecon/Boardwalk though at the southern / quiet end!! Rooms feature beautiful decor, HOT WATER, plush robes, a nice amenities pack with quality shampoo, lotion , cable tv, small fridge, safe, A/C & FAN AND WiFi. A Full American Breakfast & Welcome Drink are included. Their Mark Twain Restaurant & Lounge is exclusively for guests. They have a nice pool with a HOT JACUZZI in front! INSPECTED
RATES: Suites (4 - all facing the water & BEAUTIFUL/ELEGANT) - $120 tax, Q or D/D $100. $30 each additional person.

Hotel Colonial
http://hotel-nicaragua.com / 505-568-2539 / 505-850-6205-cell / hotel.colonial@ibw.com.ni)
NICE & quiet - Located only 1/2 block from the beach in the center of town on a side street so pretty quiet. All rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning AND fans & tv, WiFi. There is a cafeteria & bar & nice sitting aeas in the central garden area. WiFi. Surf board and bike rentals are available. INSPECTED.
RATES: D-$48/1, D-$54/2, D/T-$66/3, D/T-T-$85 family (cheaper if you do NOT use A/C)


AWAY FROM IT ALL - ON A BEACH (accessible by boat or taxi)
DON MARTIN'S HOUSE - Bed & Food
(505-881-4727 / talaquir@gmail.com
On Playa Majahualt. FUNKY little basic rooms on a quiet (except for the LOUD Howler Monkeys) more away from it all beach with just a few homes on it. I'd like to do this one for about 4-5 days & end with 2 nights in town - a place to unwind. TASTY Restaurant. Owner: Cristina Quiros

Rayito de Luna
(505-658-7797 / jens_sundet@hotmail.com)
Private home with rooms for rent 1 block from the beach. Pool, Secure indoor parking, WiFi, A/C, Breakfast.

Elizabeth’s Guest House
(505-449-5446)
I've heard quite a few positive things about popular guest house. They have rooms & fully contained apartments with tv, provate bathroom or shared bathroom - the basics. They also rent bicycles & have private transportation to take you wherever you need to go.
LOCATION: 75 mts. East of the Mercado in the heart of town on the market street.

Royal Chateau Hotel
http://HotelRoyalChateau.com / 505-568-2551 / 1-321-251-7405-from U.S. / info@HotelRoyalChateau.com / HotelRoyalChateau@yahoo.com)
Each room has a Full size bed, A/C, Private Bathroom (cool water), cable tv. Nice BUT there was a REALLY STRONG musty smell in the rooms I inspected 12/08. INSPECTED
LOCATION: 300 mts. South of the Texaco / 1 blook East of the Mercado Municipal
RATES: $46/1, $53/2 (includes taxes & Continental Breakfast)

El Pacifico
Located at the north end of the bay at the base of the Pacific Marlin development. El Pacifico has large rooms with air conditioning, hot water, pool, wireless internet, private bathrooms, private parking, and a restaurant/bar.
RATES: $36 for a single and $46 for a double including breakfast.

Hospedaje Mercedes
Clean rooms with private bathroom and fan starting. $5 per person, including breakfast.

Arenas Caliente
This is the main SURF HOSTEL in San Juan del Sur. Arenas Caliente offers private rooms with shared bathrooms. Surf board rentals, lessons, and daily shuttle to Playa Maderas.
RATES: $10 per person (?)

Hotel Beach Fun
Basic rooms with shared bathroom $5 per person


Hotel Estrella - DIVE from what we saw & heard!!!!!
Hotel Estrella
Though just across from the beach & dirt cheap, BEYOND ULTRA basic with shared bathrooms & one of the oldest buildings in town, I heard NUMEROUS stories including the balconies are accessible from each other & the doors are only lockable from the outside which could bring bats, banging doors . I also heard they have no electrical outlets upstairs? IF you stay there, you may want to choose a room withOUT a balcony!
RATE: $10

Landmark Inn
All I'm going to say about this place is SERIOUSLY do some research before you go on this place - on what previous guests have said. I know TWO people that had serious issues here!!!


CONDOS/HOMES:http://vrbo.com/159238 505 885 8785 / (403) 995 5667 (Alberta, Canada) - 3bd beachfront 3 bedroom House private setting with garage & pool on the beach. San Juan, the fishing village only a ten minute drive to the south, where you can find everything you need, including: dining, shopping & banking. The caretakers on the property make sure you are well looked after with security, cleaning & maintenance $125
http://vrbo.com/192087 2bd, $90-$150 - Quiet Spacious Condominium in the Heart of SJDS & 2 Minute Walk to Beach, heart. Bdrm w/Private Bathroom. Sleeps 6, Ceiling Fans, Screens, Quiet A/C, TV'S with VCR or DVDs. Spacious, AC in Living Room. Ground Floor Step from shared Pool Made to Order Breakfast/$ (970) 903-4854
http://vrbo.com/166724 $130/n 2bd K/Q/Sofabed 970/835-8195
http://vrbo.com/122782 2bd though

Bahia del Sol Villas & Condos
http://BahiaDelSolNica.com / 505-568-2828 / 505-421-7777 / reservations@BahiaDelSolNica.info)
This complex is still in the process of being built (hence there WILL be some of that noise) & is a bit out of town though they claim that they're within walking distance of the beach in a nice residential neighborhood with spectacular views of the bay. CONDOS (32) - 2-bedrooms (but can be rented as a hotel style studio or full 1-bedroom with kitchen). VILLAS (9) - 2-stories, luxury and space. 3-bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a big dining table & large terraces let large families or a group of friends spend time together with comfort and privacy. The complex includes a private pool and full hotel service.
RATES: Condos start at $159/2 in Peak Season 15%

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