Festival Traditions and Their Dates

In the traditional calendar of the municipality of San Juan del Sur, the celebration in honor of the patron saint, San Juan Bautista, begins on the last Sunday in May, when the saint’s image is taken down. On June 24, the image is returned and the festivities end. This gives the festival a framework spanning several weeks, with a named opening and closing day rather than just a single date.

The festivities include Dianas, accompanied by music, through the main streets and neighborhoods of the municipality. Dance performances take place during the day, with fireworks in the evening. Chicha de maíz, Nacatamal, and Indio Viejo are distributed at the festival in honor of the patron saint.

The Virgen del Carmen at Sea

The celebration of the Virgen del Carmen takes place in the municipality on July 16. The procession at sea lasts an hour and a half and is accompanied by hundreds of boats, including small fishing boats and pangas. A philharmonic band plays from the boat carrying the saint’s image. This date differs from the several-week period of the celebration for San Juan Bautista: the Virgen del Carmen celebration centers on a procession with a specified duration.

La Flor: Wildlife Refuge and Turtles

The Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor is located in the municipality of San Juan del Sur, covers 7,349 hectares, and provides a protected area for the sea turtle species Carey, Tora, Verde, and Paslama. A 2025 report mentions hiking, camping under the open sky, guided walks, birdwatching, and the release of newly hatched turtles at the refuge. These activities appeal to different interests: getting out and about, spending time outdoors, watching birds, or seeing young turtles released. In 2020, visitors from all over Nicaragua came to the refuge to observe a mass arrival of nesting sea turtles.

Local Cuisine

San Juan del Sur’s local cuisine includes seafood soup, seafood ceviche, mackerel medallions, and fish cakes. The municipality’s representative dishes also include ceviche made with fresh fish marinated in lime juice and grilled fish. Chicha de maíz, Nacatamal, and Indio Viejo are distributed at the festival in honor of the patron saint. These festival dishes are tied to the occasion; the other dishes mentioned describe a broader local cuisine that includes fish and seafood.

When to Visit and Find Hotels

The San Juan Bautista celebration runs from the last Sunday in May through June 24; the Virgen del Carmen celebration takes place on July 16. If you plan to focus on La Flor, check in advance which of the activities mentioned for 2025 are available on your preferred date.

Discover more destinations: C. La Cuesta, Cárdenas, Escamequita, Mérida, Moyogalpa, El Ostional, Popoyo, San Jorge.

For the broader travel overview: Rivas.