Major city · Nicaragua
San Juan del NorteGreytown
Spend a half‑day to a full day in San Juan del Norte; walk the town, see the river mouth and try shrimp dishes.
San Juan del Norte (Greytown) is a tiny port town of about 1,500 residents on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast. Its main attractions are the river mouth, nearby wildlife reserve and fresh‑seafood eateries. The town is walkable, so a single day covers the highlights; add a night only if you plan extensive fishing trips.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NIO
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- RNI
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Nicaragua ↗Check entry rules for your passport with a Nicaraguan embassy and your airline before booking; some visitors must register in advance, and entry can be refused without explanation.
- Nicaragua ↗Avoid political gatherings and do not photograph police, the military or protests; foreign nationals have been detained or expelled.
- Nicaragua ↗Do not bring drones or professional camera equipment without prior permission; they can be confiscated at customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Juan del Norte118 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Juan del Norte, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO, C$); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.Nicaragua-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Tigo sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Nicaragua-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap outside some Managua hotels; buy bottled or use refill stations.Nicaragua-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% often added; otherwise leave 10%.Nicaragua-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Nicaragua-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; watch boat schedules and stay in well‑lit areas after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; do not flush paper in many older buildings.Nicaragua-wide
- Emergency numbers118 police · 115 fire · 128 Red Cross ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckSemana Santa Thursday–Friday and Christmas shut much of the country; museums close Mondays (check).Nicaragua-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRNI San Juan del Norte Airport (Flights to/from Managua via San Carlos; check schedule).
- Getting aroundThe town is fully walkable; any farther point requires a boat.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (if available)C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
- Budget bedHostal Familiar (basic room, inc. breakfast), a night, per roomNIO 550
- Mid-range bedHostal Familiar (basic room, inc. breakfast), a night, per roomNIO 550
- High-end bedHostal Familiar (basic room, inc. breakfast), a night, per roomNIO 550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NIO 600 · Mid NIO 1,200 · High NIO 2,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RNI San Juan del Norte Airport (Flights to/from Managua via San Carlos; check schedule)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Juan del Norte: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is fully walkable; any farther point requires a boat.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Indio Maiz National Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Boat from town dock, about 30 min
Check boat availability; wildlife spotting best early morning.
San Carlos
cautionDoor to door: ≈7 h
Fast boat 6 h from San Juan del Norte; departs Tue/Thu/Fri 06:00Fast boat 6 h from San Juan del Norte; departs Tue/Thu/Fri 6:00 AM
Schedule may change; plan backup if boat delayed.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hostal Familiar
US$15 inc. breakfast; basic rooms
Río Indio Lodge
from US$95 inc. meals; sport‑fishing focus
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$30–50 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$50–80 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- High
- C$80 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostal Familiar (basic room, inc. breakfast)1 × 1 night × NIO 550 | NIO 550 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NIO 600 | NIO 600 |
| Fast boat San Juan del Norte → San Carlos (one way)1 × NIO 1,200 | NIO 1,200 |
| eSIM data for 1 week1 × NIO 2,500 | NIO 2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NIO 485 |
| Trip total≈ NIO 5,335 per person per day, bed included | NIO 5,335 |
2026 estimate in córdobas; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shrimp dish (camarones) | C$20–35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Rondon (seafood stew) | C$25–40 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Boat ride to Indio Maiz (30 min) | C$40–60 (≈ US$30–45) |
| Taxi within town (if available) | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat schedules to San Carlos (fast boat 6 h, slow 11 h) and Bluefields change often; confirm times before travel.
- No overland public transport; you must hike or arrange private transport through jungle.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 118
- Fire
- 115
- Red Cross ambulance
- 128
Pocket card
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San Juan del NorteGreytown
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police118
- Fire115
- Red Cross ambulance128
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fast boat San Juan del Norte → San Carlos: about C$1,200 (≈ US$900) one way, 6 h
- Boat to Indio Maiz reserve: about C$50 (≈ US$40) round‑trip, 30 min each way
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Juan del Norte. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Río Indio Lodge for sport‑fishing trips.
- Include a boat ticket to Indio Maiz reserve in itinerary.
Sources
Ask about San Juan del Norte
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