Travel collage featuring San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, including a local chicken bus, beach at sunset, Cristo de la Misericordia viewpoint, and Sunday Funday body paint. — *From local buses and sunset walks to scenic hikes and Sunday Funday, San Juan del Sur was the perfect finale to my Nicaragua adventure.*

After four peaceful days in Popoyo, I wasn't exactly in a hurry to leave.

I'd finally started feeling like myself again after getting sick on Ometepe. My days had been filled with quiet beaches, long walks, incredible sunsets, and the occasional rum and Coke while listening to the waves. It was exactly the reset I didn't know I needed.

But there was one destination left before I crossed the border into Costa Rica.

San Juan del Sur.

If you've spent any time backpacking through Central America, chances are you've heard of it.

It's Nicaragua's backpacker party town.

Every hostel, every shuttle, and every traveller seemed to ask me the same question:

"Are you going to Sunday Funday?"

By that point, I'd heard so many stories that my expectations were pretty high. People talked about it like it was a rite of passage: a full day of pool parties, music, drinking games, and hundreds of backpackers moving from one hostel to the next.

It sounded completely different from the quiet beaches I'd just left behind.

And honestly...

I was ready for it.

I'd spent days slowing down, recovering, and recharging in Popoyo.

Now it was time to finish my Nicaragua adventure with one last celebration.

Interior of a local chicken bus travelling from Popoyo to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. — *The local chicken bus carrying me from peaceful Popoyo to San Juan del Sur.*

Back to Civilization

The local chicken bus carried me away from the quiet beaches of Popoyo and towards my final stop in Nicaragua.

San Juan del Sur.

The ride took roughly two hours, bouncing along the dusty roads before eventually arriving in town. Compared to Popoyo, it immediately felt busier. There were more people walking the streets, restaurants lining the waterfront, scooters zipping past, and music drifting out from bars.

I had officially returned to civilization.

From the bus stop, I walked over to Casa Oro Eco Hostel, my home for the next few nights. The hostel immediately had that classic backpacker atmosphere. Music was playing, people were relaxing in hammocks, travellers were chatting over drinks, and everyone seemed to be either planning their next adventure or recovering from the previous night's one.

It felt welcoming.

After spending several quiet days in Popoyo, it was nice being surrounded by other travellers again.

I dropped my backpack beside my bed, took a quick look around the hostel, and then looked out towards the bay.

The view was enough to convince me not to waste another minute inside.

I grabbed my camera and headed straight for the beach.

Compared to Popoyo, San Juan del Sur's beach was much livelier. Families walked along the shoreline, backpackers gathered with drinks in hand, music echoed from the beachfront bars, and there was a constant buzz of people enjoying the evening.

It was a completely different atmosphere.

I found a quiet spot in the sand anyway and watched another Nicaraguan sunset paint the sky.

Some things didn't need to change.

After the sun disappeared, my stomach reminded me that I'd barely eaten all day. I wandered into a restaurant and found exactly what I was craving—a big, juicy hamburger and a cold drink. Nothing fancy, just good comfort food after a day of travelling.

As I walked back to the hostel that evening, something occurred to me.

For the first time since the attempted robbery in Honduras, I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder.

I wasn't completely carefree yet, but Popoyo had given me the time and space I needed to relax, rebuild my confidence, and start trusting myself again.

It had done exactly what I needed it to do.

Now, I was ready to enjoy everything San Juan del Sur had to offer.

Sunset over the beach in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, with boats anchored in the bay and people relaxing on the sand. — *It didn't take long before I found the beach... and, of course, another sunset.*

Exploring San Juan del Sur

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

I'd spent the last few days slowing down in Popoyo.

Now, I wanted to see what San Juan del Sur had to offer.

The biggest attraction overlooking the town is Cristo de la Misericordia, a towering statue of Christ perched high above the bay. From my hostel, it was about a two-hour walk to reach the top. I could have taken a taxi, but after spending so much time sitting on beaches, I was ready to stretch my legs again.

The walk wasn't always easy.

Some sections were surprisingly steep, and with the afternoon sun beating down, I was definitely glad I'd brought plenty of water.

Every now and then I'd stop to catch my breath, turn around, and admire the view that kept getting better the higher I climbed.

By the time I reached the top, I knew the walk had been worth it.

The views over San Juan del Sur were incredible.

From up there, I could see the curved bay, colourful rooftops, fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, and the Pacific Ocean stretching as far as the eye could see. It was also incredibly windy, which made trying to take photos a little chaotic. Every time I thought I'd managed to get my hair under control, another gust would come through and prove me wrong.

Still...

Those are usually the photos that make me laugh the most afterwards.

After spending some time taking in the scenery, I slowly made my way back down.

The return walk felt much easier. I wasn't in any rush, so I took my time, stopped whenever I found another good viewpoint, and simply enjoyed the journey back into town.

By the time I reached the beach again, I'd definitely earned some lunch.

I found a restaurant overlooking the water, ordered a chocolate milkshake and a plate of greasy fries, and happily sat there watching people come and go along the waterfront.

After that walk, they tasted amazing.

Later that evening, I treated myself to chicken parmesan for dinner before wandering back down to the beach one last time.

Just like Popoyo, I somehow found myself watching another sunset.

Different town.

Different atmosphere.

Same appreciation for ending the day with the ocean in front of me.

By now, I could feel my confidence returning.

I wasn't thinking about what had happened earlier in the trip anymore.

I was simply enjoying Nicaragua.

And with Sunday Funday only a couple of days away, it felt like the perfect time to be feeling like myself again.

Windblown selfie at Cristo de la Misericordia overlooking the bay and coastline of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. — *The view was incredible. Getting a decent selfie... not so much.*

One Last Quiet Beach

The following day, I decided to take advantage of one of the excursions offered through the hostel.

They had a shuttle heading out to Playa Hermosa, and after enjoying Popoyo so much, I wasn't about to turn down another beach day.

A few of us piled into the back of a truck that had been converted into passenger seating. It wasn't exactly luxurious, but it was all part of the experience. Bouncing down the dusty roads in the back of a truck with a group of backpackers felt like a pretty normal day in Central America.

When we arrived, I immediately understood why people liked Playa Hermosa.

It was beautiful.

The beach stretched for miles, surfers were scattered across the waves, and rocky outcrops created little tide pools that were fun to wander through. As the afternoon went on, more backpackers arrived, but it never felt overcrowded. Everyone seemed to spread out along the beach, finding their own little corner to relax.

I spent most of my time doing exactly what I'd been doing for the last week.

Walking.

Exploring.

Taking far too many photos with my self-timer.

I climbed over the rocks, wandered through the tide pools, and enjoyed seeing another side of Nicaragua's coastline. Every beach I'd visited seemed to have its own personality, and Playa Hermosa was no different.

By late afternoon, I found myself back on the sand, watching surfers chase waves while I listened to the ocean.

It was the perfect balance.

Quiet enough to relax.

Busy enough to have a little atmosphere.

As the sun began to disappear, we climbed back into the truck and headed for San Juan del Sur.

The ride back was just as bumpy as the ride there, but nobody seemed to mind.

Tomorrow was Sunday.

And everyone knew exactly what that meant.

Sunday Funday.

Unlike the night before, I kept things pretty quiet back at the hostel.

I wanted to enjoy the party, not spend half of it trying to recover from the night before.

So I grabbed some dinner, drank plenty of water, and called it an early night.

For once...

I was actually being responsible.

Traveler relaxing on the rocks at Playa Hermosa near San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, the day before Sunday Funday. — *Enjoying Playa Hermosa one last time before Nicaragua's biggest backpacker party.*

Sunday Funday: Nicaragua's Biggest Backpacker Party

Sunday was the day I'd been looking forward to.

Ever since I started travelling through Nicaragua, backpackers kept asking me the same question:

"Are you doing Sunday Funday?"

If you've never heard of it, Sunday Funday is a giant backpacker party that takes place every Sunday in San Juan del Sur. Your ticket gets you access to multiple hostels throughout the day, shuttle transportation between some of them, free drinks, DJs, drinking games, pools, and hundreds of travellers who are all there for one reason—to have an unforgettable Sunday.

Needless to say, I was excited.

I woke up full of energy, put on a little makeup, dug out my sexiest outfit and swimwear, and headed over to the first hostel ready for whatever the day had in store.

I arrived a little too early.

After checking in and receiving my wristband and the famous Sunday Funday T-shirt, I still had some time to kill, so I wandered off in search of lunch and ordered my first rum and Coke of the day.

It felt like the perfect way to kick things off.

By the time I returned, the hostel had completely come alive.

Music blasted through the courtyard while people danced around the pool. Drinking games had already started, and everywhere I looked people were covered in colourful body paint, glitter, and temporary "tattoos."

I was in my element.

Naturally, I wanted the full Sunday Funday experience, so when I heard people talking about spray paint, I went looking for it.

A few minutes later, I had glitter all over me, colourful spray paint decorating my body, and a giant handprint proudly sprayed across my booty.

No regrets.

Eventually, it was time to head to the second hostel.

Hundreds of backpackers poured out into the streets together, creating one giant moving party as music played from portable speakers and everyone danced their way across town.

I, on the other hand, had a much simpler objective.

Don't lose the crowd.

I had absolutely no idea where we were going, and there was no chance I'd be able to find the next hostel on my own.

Somewhere along the walk, I started chatting with a group of gay guys who quickly decided I was part of their group for the day. Since I was travelling solo, I happily accepted the adoption papers.

Once we arrived, we grabbed our free drinks before ordering another round of rum and Cokes.

Not long after, someone had the brilliant idea of starting a game where we'd randomly push each other into the pool.

For about five minutes, it was hilarious.

Then one of the organizers came over and warned us that if anyone got pushed in again, they'd be kicked out.

Fair enough.

About thirty seconds later...

Someone shoved me into the pool.

Again.

I climbed out laughing, only to have the organizer march straight over to me.

"That's it. You're out."

I just stood there dripping wet, completely confused.

"Wait... you're kicking out the person who got pushed?"

Thankfully, after explaining what had actually happened—and with a few people nearby confirming I wasn't the one causing trouble—I managed to talk my way out of being kicked out.

From that point on, I figured it was probably best to stay on my best behaviour.

Backpacker being playfully pushed into a swimming pool during Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. — *One minute I was making new friends... the next, I was being thrown into the pool.*

The party wasn't over yet.

Before long, we were rounded up and loaded onto buses for the next hostel, where another free drink was waiting for us.

By this point, though, I started slowing down a little.

Not because I wasn't having fun.

I simply had absolutely no clue where I was by that point.

I'd completely surrendered navigation duties hours ago, and my only plan was to make sure I stayed with the crowd whenever it was time to leave.

We spent about another hour there before climbing back onto the buses one last time and heading back into San Juan del Sur.

By then, everyone seemed to have the same idea.

Food.

After twelve hours of drinking, dancing, swimming, and wandering between hostels, we were starving.

I found a taco place, devoured my food in record time, and then made my way to the final beach bar where the party continued well into the night.

My dance moves probably became significantly more enthusiastic than they were talented, but at that point I don't think anyone cared.

Around 1 a.m., after roughly twelve hours of partying, I finally called it a night and walked back to Casa Oro.

Completely exhausted.

Still covered in traces of glitter.

And somehow...

I still had everything I'd started the day with.

My phone.

My money.

My towel.

My water bottle.

My sunglasses.

Even my sandals.

Honestly, considering I'd spent the entire day hopping between hostels, riding buses, dancing with strangers, and getting pushed into pools, keeping track of all my belongings might have been my greatest accomplishment of the entire day.

Traveler covered in glitter and temporary body paint enjoying Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, with a drink in hand. — *Glitter, body paint, a rum and coke, and somehow I still made it home with all my belongings. I'd call that a successful Sunday Funday.*

Goodbye, Nicaragua

After nearly twelve hours of partying the day before, I'd fully expected to wake up with the world's worst hangover.

Surprisingly...

I felt fine.

Maybe all that water I'd been drinking throughout the day had finally paid off.

I'd actually planned ahead and booked an extra night in San Juan del Sur for exactly this reason. I assumed Sunday Funday would completely wipe me out, so I wanted one full day to recover before crossing into Costa Rica.

Instead, it turned into one last chance to slow down.

I wandered through town one final time, grabbed something to eat, and enjoyed a much quieter day than the one before. After all the music, dancing, and organised chaos of Sunday Funday, the slower pace felt surprisingly nice.

Looking back, Sunday Funday was everything I'd hoped it would be.

It was loud.

Crowded.

Chaotic.

Full of backpackers from all over the world.

And an absolute blast.

If you're in your twenties—or you're simply someone who still enjoys a good party—I honestly think it's worth experiencing at least once. It's one of those backpacking traditions that people talk about for a reason.

Would I want to do it every weekend?

Probably not.

But once?

Absolutely.

As much fun as I had in San Juan del Sur, it still wasn't my favourite place in Nicaragua.

That honour goes to Popoyo.

I loved its quiet beaches, slower pace, and the feeling that there was nowhere I needed to be. After everything that happened on Ometepe, it was exactly what I needed.

San Juan del Sur gave me the celebration.

Popoyo gave me the recovery.

Looking back, I don't think I would have appreciated one nearly as much without the other.

The following morning, I shouldered my big blue backpack one last time and climbed aboard the shuttle waiting to take me across the border.

Nicaragua had given me so much more than I expected.

Volcano boarding.

Colonial cities.

Christmas on the beach.

Getting sick on Ometepe.

Quiet days in Popoyo.

One unforgettable Sunday Funday.

It had challenged me.

Surprised me.

Slowed me down.

And reminded me that every destination has something different to offer.

As the shuttle pulled away, I watched Nicaragua disappear behind me.

Next stop?

Costa Rica.

And another adventure was about to begin.

Travel collage featuring San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, including the beach at sunset, Cristo de la Misericordia, Sunday Funday, and transportation to Playa Hermosa. — *San Juan del Sur had a little bit of everything: beautiful views, backpacker vibes, beach days, and one unforgettable Sunday Funday.*

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