Bahía Portal del Mar — Attraction in San Juan del Sur (Municipio)

Disappointing visit on a beautiful Thursday.

We brought our family to this location today based on the recommendation of a friend, happily paying the $20/person entry fee due to the promise of pools, a calm beach, watersport activities, and newer facilities.

Our apologetic server was great and the food was pretty tasty (although the ice cream stand was closed, so no desserts). But that's the end of the good news.

Sadly, the cloudy pools were so dirty one was nearly green and bathers couldn't see their feet even in the shallow end, and the beach was extremely rocky and shallow.

Worse, though, was the fact that none of the water activities advertised all over the website and social media were available at all. There are signs all over the property showing kayaks, paddle boards, banana boats, and other inflatables being available as part of your day pass fee. All we found were three rough-looking kayaks and a paddle board under an abandoned tent. I asked multiple staff about their use, and was offered a wide variety of excuses as to why we couldn't - tide was too low, too many rocks on the beach, only available during certain seasons or on certain days. Ironically, one gentlemen stood in front of a large, new, colourful sign showing the activities available from 9am-5pm, Monday-Sunday and explained to me that they were only for weekend visitors. When I motioned to the signage, all he could do was laugh and say it was "un poco loco."

Eventually, they put me on the phone with a guy who said he'd come get me set up with a kayak at 1pm. We had planned to leave by that time, but stuck around after lunch so I could get at least one ride in. ...Spoiler alert, he wasn't there by the time we gave up waiting and packed up at 1:30pm. He did stop me in the parking lot to explain that the waves were too choppy at the furthest visible point to safely operate a kayak in the calm shallows of the bay (which makes no sense) and that he only provides kayaks on Sundays...

Save your time and money. This area has far better options for food, fun, and...

Mala experiencia,primero el encargado no explica bien el servicio cuando se busca informacion,una vez estavamos ahi ,ppr que ivamos a desayunar pero como es abierto nos fuimos a la gorilla de la playa,entonces llego un hombre con acento medio Argentino mal encarado yenojado a decirnos que 20 dollar por persona si queriamos usar las installations,trata a sus empleados mal y al publication tambien.cafe horrible,la Estrella que puse es porlos meseros que quizas son los que hacen el trabajo mas duro y son bien Buenos.el lugar nada de bonito y ni Buenos baños,una morenita que cobra igual otra cara de enojo que llevaba,que vayan todos a un curso de marketing,la parte de manejo...

Beautiful day adventure filled with of activities. Two pools, beach access, horseback riding, kayaking and more! The staff were very attentive and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. Food and drinks included in...