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This spot, serving as Nicaragua’s newest port of call along the Pacific coast, offers two miles of scenic white-sand beaches. Though it’s often described as Central America’s quintessential fishing town, with access to plenty of deep ocean trenches and the accompanying big catches, relaxing San Juan Del Sur is more of a sun worshipper’s destination. It boasts enough amenities along the shore to keep visitors in the surf.

Hikers and historians appreciate San Juan Del Sur, too. The surrounding mountains are heavily forested and, some say, home to hidden pirate treasure. Neighboring Granada, one of Nicaragua’s largest cities, also offers centuries-old sights -- Moorish architecture and other holdovers from its founding in 1524 make for fascinating walking tours. Lake Nicaragua and its 92 miles of shoreline also are a favorite stop for visitors to Granada.

Language: Spanish     Currency: Gold cordoba (NIO)