On October 4th we moved into our sixth rental since arriving in Nicaragua ten and a half months ago. It is a fully furnished two bedroom, one bath home in the barrio of Frente Sur.  The monthly rent is $300 USD. Water and cable TV are included, but we are responsible to cover the extra cost of electricity and internet.

Another Rental Home:  San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– Bienvenidos Al Barrio Frente Sur

When Gord and I were planning our move to Nicaragua we discussed living in a Nica neighborhood, rather than a gated community and this is just one of the things we love our new place – it’s location. 

Another Rental Home:  San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– Home Sweet Home
Another Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– Our Street

The front porch is our favorite part of the house. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy a cold Tona (local beer) while watching real Nica life happen around us. 

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Rental House - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– At times it’s difficult to get Gord out of his hammock chair

As with most Nicaraguan neighborhoods there are a few roosters and some noisy dogs around. There are also lots of kids playing in the street, some of which happen to be very entertaining. 

We have traveling sales people come through selling everything you can imagine – and maybe even some things you can’t. The lady who came by the other day carrying an armload of bras and a suitcase full of boxers made us chuckle. Door to door underwear sales?  Really?

Al Barrio Frente Sur - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Through the front door you enter the living room which comfortably seats four.

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

To the right of the living room is the master bedroom. It’s just big enough for a queen bed and wardrobe for our clothes. We may not have a lot of space, but we do have a comfy mattress and that makes me very happy.

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Our second favourite feature in the house is the shower. It’s double wide and has loads of water flow and pressure. Of all the places we’ve rented in Nicaragua to date, this shower gets our vote as the best!

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– In full Nica fashion we have a teal toilet and beige sink

Compared to our last place the kitchen in our new house is a dream. We are excited to have counter space for food prep which means we can get back to eating more meals at home again.  

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– Can we offer you a drink?
Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragau
– As you can see we are without cupboard or cabinet space, but boxes and baskets work just as well
Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
– Beautiful tropical flowers grow just outside our kitchen window

Our guest bedroom is just off the kitchen. It too, is very basic with a queen bed and small wardrobe for clothes. I find it a bit odd that there is no window in the room, but apparently this is quite common here in Nica.

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Rental Home - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

We are really enjoying everything our new little house has to offer.  In fact it’s the first place we rented that feels like a home. But – we’re only here temporarily.

Next month we’re moving on to bigger and better things. We were able to secure a three bedroom, two bathroom, air conditioned house here in town.  It’s up on the hill overlooking San Juan and has huge windows on three sides that will allow the nearly constant off-shore winds to blow through. We have committed to 6 months in this house, but realistically we can’t see moving…unless…we decide to build a home of our own.

We can’t wait to move in to the new place and are super pumped that friends and family will now have a comfortable place to stay in beautiful San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Soooooooo….who wants to come for a visit???

4 Comments

  1. Your blog is awesome! Very informative. My BF and I are thinking of moving to Nicaragua for a few months but are having a hard time finding affordable rentals. This apartment looks great, could you direct me to a landlord or do you have any advice about finding a place?

    Thank you so much!
    Jillian

    jillian
    1. This was a great little house, but unfortunately it is rented long term now. We know of a few monthly rentals that are available but none of them are advertised.

      We had to move here to find quality low cost rentals. It just takes a couple of days of asking around and you can find great bargains.

    2. Hi Jillian,

      Most affordable rentals are owned by Nicaraguans and are not listed online. The best deals are found through word of mouth and “pounding the pavement” once you get here.

      What I would suggest is booking a hotel/hostel for the first few days when you arrive and take that time to go house hunting.

      One option that might work for you is Apartmentos San Juan del Sur. They have one bedroom apartments for $325 per month. If you’d like air conditioning the price is $425.

      You may also want to check Craig’s List.

      Good luck!
      Elisha

  2. Barrio Frente Sur is so beautiful it is unreal. The shady streets, the green hills, the neatness and cleanliness….it is all so incredible. And I live on an island which has beautiful places, too. Unfortunately, our living costs here are way too high, here in Hawaii.

    Mark Terry

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