We stayed in a Hostel called Yajure. Probably one of the nicest around and we only paid $10 a night. After unpacking and getting settled into our private room (which we were just given for the same price as the dorm) we went and asked the guy at the front where a good place to get dinner would be. He suggested a place that gives you 3 lobster tails for just $6. I have never had lobster tail before but where is there a better place to try it than in Nicaragua. The restaurant was called La Lancha and it was delicious. You got three lobster tails, pile of rice, plantain fries, and salad. The plate was overflowing with food! While we were waiting on our food we met a girl from Canada. She was backpacking through Central America and she was right at the end of her trip. She introduced us to a lot of other people that she had met along the way. Two of the guys she met in Leon were in San Juan as well and we ended up hanging out with them most of our time there. They were both 31 and decided to quit their jobs, sell everything, and travel.
The next day we ran into the guys again and decided to stop at a bar and get a couple drinks. One of the guys was getting a tattoo just down the street so we were waiting on him to get finished up. We got a pitcher of Sangria...which was amazing! After being there for a few hours all headed out to get some dinner...we ended back up at La Lancha. More lobster tail!!!
That night we went to one of the bars and only stayed for one drink...We had a better idea. We went and got our own drinks at a local store and we went to the guys hostel to pick up some speakers. With our own drinks and music/speakers, we made our way to the beach front. We played our own tunes and just relaxed near the beach.
The next day we had to head out. Worried we were going to be late to the bus stop in Rivas we rushed out of the Hostel in a taxi. We got to the bus stop around 8:45am, just 15 minutes before the bus was supposed to be there. We waited and waited...2.5 hours later the bus finally showed up. The entire time we were waiting in the hot Nicaragua sun - much hotter than Costa Rica. But finally the bus was there with AC and comfy seats!