Yes. San Juan del Sur, about 30 km (19 miles) from Rivas, is one of Nicaragua's best-known beach towns, with a wide bay, surf breaks nearby, and a lively waterfront. Many travelers use Rivas as a base point and add San Juan del Sur as a coastal stop before or after exploring the lake area.
That depends on your goal. A stop in Rivas town plus a swing through San Juan del Sur can be done in a few hours. Adding Ometepe Island means building in time for the ferry crossing each way, so it works best as the main focus of your day rather than a quick add-on.
The town has a compact colonial core built around its central park and the Parroquia San Pedro Apóstol church, along with a lakeside pace that feels distinctly different from Nicaragua's bigger cities. It's a good place to stretch, get a feel for local life, and pick up food or supplies before heading toward the lake or coast.
Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, rising directly out of Lake Nicaragua and connected by a narrow isthmus. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with petroglyphs, lakeside beaches, and lush forest reserves. Reaching it means crossing from the San Jorge port, just a few kilometers from Rivas, so a private transfer that times your arrival well makes the crossing far less stressful than coordinating it yourself.
Rivas sits on the shore of Lake Nicaragua and works as the gateway to two very different highlights: the twin-volcano landscape of Ometepe Island and the Pacific surf town of San Juan del Sur. Few places in Nicaragua let you pair a colonial town, a volcanic island, and a beach coastline in a single itinerary.
Public buses to Rivas run on their own schedule and often require a transfer in Managua or Granada, which eats into the time you actually want to spend at the lake or beach. A private transfer takes you door to door on your own timeline, so you arrive at the San Jorge port or San Juan del Sur ready to explore instead of waiting around.