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Nicaragua🇳🇮 | townsSan Juan del SurHorseshoe bay, Cristo statue, surf shuttles, Sunday pool crawl | things to do and best time to go

Explore San JorgeExplore Ometepe

Backpacking in San Juan del Sur
🏆 Top picktown ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

San Juan del Sur’s own bay is a calm, sheltered crescent of gray-gold sand, and the surf beaches that made its name sit a short ride away along dusty dirt roads. The town lies on the Pacific coast in the southwest of Nicaragua, close to the Costa Rica border. Expect fishing boats knocking in the swell, diesel and grilled fish drifting off the waterfront, and bar music that starts early on weekends. Reaching it is easy, and hostels and cafés make meeting people effortless, though weekends turn loud. Prices climb at the beachfront, so experienced travelers eat a block or two inland, where plates come cheaper and portions bigger. I would order a cold Toña and fresh fish at a plastic-chair stand on the sand and call it dinner. Beach shuttles leave from hostels on fixed runs, which is why you should book yours the night before and carry córdobas in small bills.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Nicaragua Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 town in NicaraguaThe unique appeal for travelers

San Juan del Sur works because it gives you a walkable base with a dozen different coastlines within reach. You can sleep in a small hostel, wander downhill to the water, and still be at a surf break or a quiet cove before the heat builds. Most travelers stay three or four nights, and plenty drift into a week because the days fall into an easy pattern of waves, hammocks and cheap seafood. The Cristo de la Misericordia on the headland gives you a fixed point for orientation and sunsets, while the Sunday Funday bar crawl pulls in the party crowd. Evenings are social. Hostel courtyards and beach bars make it simple for solo travelers to find a group, though anyone craving silence should sleep on the quieter hillside streets or at a beach outside town. Surfers, beginners taking lessons, and slow … read more 👉
San Juan del Sur works because it gives you a walkable base with a dozen different coastlines within reach. You can sleep in a small hostel, wander downhill to the water, and still be at a surf break or a quiet cove before the heat builds. Most travelers stay three or four nights, and plenty drift into a week because the days fall into an easy pattern of waves, hammocks and cheap seafood. The Cristo de la Misericordia on the headland gives you a fixed point for orientation and sunsets, while the Sunday Funday bar crawl pulls in the party crowd. Evenings are social. Hostel courtyards and beach bars make it simple for solo travelers to find a group, though anyone craving silence should sleep on the quieter hillside streets or at a beach outside town. Surfers, beginners taking lessons, and slow travelers will like it most. Hikers and culture seekers will find it thin, so treat it as a rest stop between Granada, Ometepe and the Costa Rica crossing.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Cristo de la Misericordia: The best-known sight is this white Christ statue, one of the tallest in the world at about 24 meters, on the headland above the bay. It stands on Cerro el Calvario, and the view takes in the whole horseshoe bay and the surf-beaten coast beyond. Go late afternoon when the heat eases and the light turns the water pale gold. Entry runs about US$3 to 5 and you should allow 1 to 2 hours including the climb.
  2. Playa San Juan del Sur: The town beach is a protected bay with gentle water, good for swimming and watching fishing boats bob on their moorings. Mornings are quietest and calmest. It is free, and an hour or two is enough, though you will likely linger with a drink.
  3. Mercado Municipal: The covered market is where locals buy produce, fish, tortillas and fried snacks. Go
… read more 👉
  1. Cristo de la Misericordia: The best-known sight is this white Christ statue, one of the tallest in the world at about 24 meters, on the headland above the bay. It stands on Cerro el Calvario, and the view takes in the whole horseshoe bay and the surf-beaten coast beyond. Go late afternoon when the heat eases and the light turns the water pale gold. Entry runs about US$3 to 5 and you should allow 1 to 2 hours including the climb.
  2. Playa San Juan del Sur: The town beach is a protected bay with gentle water, good for swimming and watching fishing boats bob on their moorings. Mornings are quietest and calmest. It is free, and an hour or two is enough, though you will likely linger with a drink.
  3. Mercado Municipal: The covered market is where locals buy produce, fish, tortillas and fried snacks. Go in the morning when stalls are full and the cheap lunch counters serve gallo pinto and grilled meat for around US$3 to 5. An hour is plenty.
  4. The Malecón waterfront: This seaside promenade is the town’s evening living room, lined with restaurants and bars facing the bay. Early morning also works, when boats come in with the catch. It costs nothing to walk and takes about an hour, longer with dinner.
  5. Sunday Funday: This pool-hopping bar crawl runs on Sundays and is loud, sunburned and sociable, which is the point. A ticket typically costs US$40 to 55 and the day runs 5 to 7 hours, so skip it if you have an early shuttle on Monday.
San Juan del Sur also anchors easy day trips to Playa Maderas and Playa Hermosa for surf, Playa Marsella for a quieter cove, and the La Flor Wildlife Refuge, where olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest in the wet months. Start with the Cristo in late afternoon, because it orients you to the bay and sets up the best sunset view in town.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around San Juan del Sur

VOLCANO COMBO TOUR: 7 activities in 1 day + Natural hot springs.

VOLCANO COMBO TOUR: 7 activities in 1 day + Natural hot springs.

5.0(48) 10h
From €191
per personViator
Ride the sky and Epic bicycle zipline tour

Ride the sky and Epic bicycle zipline tour

5.0(24) 1h 30m
From €41
per personViator
ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA

ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA

5.0(15) 4h
From €132
per personViator
One way Managua Airport to San Juan del Sur Private Shuttle

One way Managua Airport to San Juan del Sur Private Shuttle

4.5(8)
From €146
per personViator
ATV Adventure at Lake Nicaragua in San Juan del Sur

ATV Adventure at Lake Nicaragua in San Juan del Sur

5.0(6) 2h
From €68
per personViator
Spanish lesson and homestay, Lago Azul Spanish School

Spanish lesson and homestay, Lago Azul Spanish School

5.0(5) 140h
From €270
per personViator
2-Hour Guided Surf Lesson in Playa Maderas

2-Hour Guided Surf Lesson in Playa Maderas

3.9(7) 2h
From €36
per personViator
San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour

San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour

5.0(3) 7h
From €182
per personViator
San Juan Del Sur Shore Excursion: Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets

San Juan Del Sur Shore Excursion: Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets

5.0(3) 5h
From €203
per personViator
Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur

Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur

5.0(2) 8h
From €144
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

San Juan del Sur is small enough to cover on foot in an afternoon, but each pocket has its own rhythm, and knowing why saves you wasted evenings.
  • The Malecón and Beachfront: A curved bay of brown-gold sand, fishing boats bobbing on the swell, and seafood grills smoking along the waterfront road. Sunset crowds gather here, and the sand gets hot enough to sting by midday, so go early or late. Eat at the grill stalls for whole fried fish with tostones, where prices are lower than the sit-down places with sea views.
  • Calle Central and the Town Center: Narrow streets of tin-roofed shops, tiny pharmacies, ATMs and the covered market, smelling of fried plantain and diesel. Motorbikes and trucks squeeze past, so walk single file. The market is the smarter lunch: a plate of gallo pinto with grilled meat
… read more 👉
San Juan del Sur is small enough to cover on foot in an afternoon, but each pocket has its own rhythm, and knowing why saves you wasted evenings.
  • The Malecón and Beachfront: A curved bay of brown-gold sand, fishing boats bobbing on the swell, and seafood grills smoking along the waterfront road. Sunset crowds gather here, and the sand gets hot enough to sting by midday, so go early or late. Eat at the grill stalls for whole fried fish with tostones, where prices are lower than the sit-down places with sea views.
  • Calle Central and the Town Center: Narrow streets of tin-roofed shops, tiny pharmacies, ATMs and the covered market, smelling of fried plantain and diesel. Motorbikes and trucks squeeze past, so walk single file. The market is the smarter lunch: a plate of gallo pinto with grilled meat costs far less than anything near the beach.
  • The Bar Strip (Sunday Funday Corner): A few blocks of reggaeton, flashing lights and plastic cups, loudest on weekends. The pub crawl gets crowded and sticky, so experienced travelers skip the middle of it and start with a quieter beer on a balcony first.
  • Pueblo Nuevo and the Hill Roads: Residential streets climbing away from the water, with roosters at dawn and the sound of laundry being scrubbed. Walking is steep and hot. Go early if you want the breeze and a view back over the bay.
  • Playa Madera and Maderas Road: Surf-oriented beaches reached by dusty road, with smaller cafés and a mellow crowd. Too far to walk comfortably in the heat, so share a taxi.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

7:00 AM, Malecón and fishing landing: Walk the waterfront while the air is cool and the boats unload the night’s catch. Watch the buyers haggle over snapper and shrimp, then grab strong coffee and a pastry from a café on the seafront.
8:30 AM, Mercado Municipal: Walk a few blocks inland to the covered market for a breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs and fried cheese at a counter. Browse the produce stalls and notice the cheap fruit that rarely reaches the tourist menus.
10:00 AM, Playa San Juan del Sur: Head back to the bay for a swim in the calm water. Rent a chair or simply spread a towel on the sand and let the morning heat build.
12:30 PM, Lunch inland: Skip the waterfront menus and eat a block or two uphill at a family-run comedor, where grilled fish and rice come in large portions at lower prices. … read more 👉
7:00 AM, Malecón and fishing landing: Walk the waterfront while the air is cool and the boats unload the night’s catch. Watch the buyers haggle over snapper and shrimp, then grab strong coffee and a pastry from a café on the seafront.
8:30 AM, Mercado Municipal: Walk a few blocks inland to the covered market for a breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs and fried cheese at a counter. Browse the produce stalls and notice the cheap fruit that rarely reaches the tourist menus.
10:00 AM, Playa San Juan del Sur: Head back to the bay for a swim in the calm water. Rent a chair or simply spread a towel on the sand and let the morning heat build.
12:30 PM, Lunch inland: Skip the waterfront menus and eat a block or two uphill at a family-run comedor, where grilled fish and rice come in large portions at lower prices.
2:00 PM, Quiet back streets: Wander the hillside streets above the center, where the town feels residential. Small neighborhood shops, children playing and the sound of radios make a pleasant contrast to the beach scene, and almost no visitors come here. Rest in a hammock at your hostel through the hottest hours.
4:30 PM, Cristo de la Misericordia: Climb or ride up Cerro el Calvario as the heat eases. Look around the statue’s base, then settle onto the terrace to watch the bay turn orange and the boats fade into silhouettes.
7:00 PM, Dinner on the Malecón: Walk down and eat grilled seafood at a table facing the water. Finish with a cold beer and the evening crowd, then turn in early if tomorrow brings a surf shuttle.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings are bright and days run 31 to 35°C (88 to 95°F), with almost no rain and steady offshore breezes that make the surf cleaner. Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa fill the town, and beds cost the most.
  • Green Season (May to October): Expect mornings of sun and afternoon or evening downpours, with highs of 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F). Hills turn green, dorm rates drop, and the sea is warm, though road conditions to farther beaches can be muddy. Sunset comes earlier in these months, and days are fairly even year-round at about 11 to 13 hours of light.
  • Wettest Stretch (September and October): The heaviest rain falls now. Some tours and restaurants close for a few weeks, and surf boats may cancel after storms, but you will have beaches almost to yourself.
  • Turtle
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings are bright and days run 31 to 35°C (88 to 95°F), with almost no rain and steady offshore breezes that make the surf cleaner. Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa fill the town, and beds cost the most.
  • Green Season (May to October): Expect mornings of sun and afternoon or evening downpours, with highs of 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F). Hills turn green, dorm rates drop, and the sea is warm, though road conditions to farther beaches can be muddy. Sunset comes earlier in these months, and days are fairly even year-round at about 11 to 13 hours of light.
  • Wettest Stretch (September and October): The heaviest rain falls now. Some tours and restaurants close for a few weeks, and surf boats may cancel after storms, but you will have beaches almost to yourself.
  • Turtle Season (July to January): Olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest at nearby refuges, with peak arrivals after the rains begin.
Book weekend beds ahead if you arrive in December or at Easter, and expect bargains midweek in the green season.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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✈️ The backpacker research shortcutNicaragua Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Nicaragua

The best area for a budget bed in San Juan del Sur is the compact grid a few blocks back from the beach road, where dorm beds typically cost US$8 to 15 a night. Hostels cluster here, so you can compare in person and find a bed without booking far in advance outside holiday weeks. Streets are lit and busy until late, and everything is a short walk from the bus stops and shuttle pickups.
The trade-off is noise. Rooms facing the bar streets on weekends can hum until 2 or 3 am, so ask for a room at the back or on an upper floor, and bring earplugs. If you want sleep, choose the quieter side streets … read more 👉
The best area for a budget bed in San Juan del Sur is the compact grid a few blocks back from the beach road, where dorm beds typically cost US$8 to 15 a night. Hostels cluster here, so you can compare in person and find a bed without booking far in advance outside holiday weeks. Streets are lit and busy until late, and everything is a short walk from the bus stops and shuttle pickups.
The trade-off is noise. Rooms facing the bar streets on weekends can hum until 2 or 3 am, so ask for a room at the back or on an upper floor, and bring earplugs. If you want sleep, choose the quieter side streets toward the north end of town or the slopes just uphill, where roosters are the main alarm and breezes make fans work harder. Hill beds are a 10 to 15 minute walk from the center, steeper going home, and taxis are easy to flag at night for about US$1 to 2.
For surfers, the road toward Playa Madera has a few simple, cheaper places, but you will need taxis or a scooter, so factor that cost in. During Christmas, New Year and Easter, book several weeks ahead.
Best hostels in San Juan del Sur


Best quality hotels in Nicaragua

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

San Juan del Sur runs on foot and in shared taxis, with a ride around town costing about US$1 to 2 per person, paid in cash to the driver at the end. Most of the town center is flat and compact, and you can cross it in ten minutes. Roads to the outer beaches are dusty, rutted and hot, so the right transport is the main decision.
  • Walking: Free and quickest in the center, where sandy sidewalks and the beach road are shaded by almonds in places. Carry water and wear sandals you can rinse, because the midday heat is heavy, and rainy-season streets turn to puddles.
  • Shared taxis: White cabs honk to offer a ride and pick up other passengers along the way. Agree the fare before getting in, since there are no meters. Short rides in town cost US$1 to 2, and runs to Playa Madera or Playa Marsella cost
… read more 👉
San Juan del Sur runs on foot and in shared taxis, with a ride around town costing about US$1 to 2 per person, paid in cash to the driver at the end. Most of the town center is flat and compact, and you can cross it in ten minutes. Roads to the outer beaches are dusty, rutted and hot, so the right transport is the main decision.
  • Walking: Free and quickest in the center, where sandy sidewalks and the beach road are shaded by almonds in places. Carry water and wear sandals you can rinse, because the midday heat is heavy, and rainy-season streets turn to puddles.
  • Shared taxis: White cabs honk to offer a ride and pick up other passengers along the way. Agree the fare before getting in, since there are no meters. Short rides in town cost US$1 to 2, and runs to Playa Madera or Playa Marsella cost about US$8 to 15 per cab, so split with others.
  • Chicken buses and colectivos to Rivas: Minibuses and older buses leave from the main road near the market for Rivas, taking about 45 minutes to 1 hour and costing US$1.50 to 2.50. Services run from early morning until late afternoon, and they leave when full, so show up early and keep your pack on your lap. From Rivas you can connect to Managua, Granada or the Costa Rica border.
  • Shuttle vans: Tourist shuttles to Granada, Managua airport, Leon and Costa Rica cost US$15 to 50 depending on the route, take a few hours and include hotel pickup. Book a day ahead through your hostel because seats are limited, and they are cooler than local buses.
  • Scooters and ATVs: Rentals cost roughly US$25 to 45 a day. Beach roads are loose gravel and steep, so ride slowly and ask for a helmet.

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

San Juan del Sur costs about US$27 to 83 a day for a backpacker, with a total of US$53 in the table below counting a high-season dorm bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$8 to 15 (high season US$12)Fans or air conditioning cost more, and Christmas and Easter push prices up.
MealsUS$12 to 25 (US$18)Market plates run US$3 to 5, while beachfront seafood costs US$8 to 14.
Local transportUS$2 to 8 (US$4)Short taxi rides cost US$1 to 2 and buses to Rivas about US$2.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 20 (US$10)Beaches are free, while surf lessons and tours cost more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15 (US$9)Beer costs about US$1.50 to 3, plus water and sunscreen.
Total Daily BudgetUS$27 to 83About US$53 for a typical day.
Eat your main meal at the market at lunch and fill a refillable water bottle at your hostel to cut costs.

source: visitnicaragua.us
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsWhere to go beyond the main area

San Juan del Sur is an easy base for day trips, with beaches, wildlife and volcano scenery all within about two hours by road.
Playa Maderas and Playa Hermosa:
Surf beaches north of town with strong waves and quieter sand than the bay. Taxis cost about US$8 to 15 each way per car, or you can rent a scooter. Go in the morning when offshore winds are cleanest, and bring cash because card machines are rare. First-timers often arrive at midday and find the sun brutal and shade scarce.
👉 Explore Playa Maderas
Playa Ostional and Turtle Nesting:
Olive ridley turtles nest on beaches nearby, with the biggest arrivals between July and January. Plan about 1 hour each way, and budget US$30 to 60 for a guided trip. Do not use flash photography, which disturbs the animals.
👉 Explore La Flor Wildlife Refuge
Ometepe … read more 👉
San Juan del Sur is an easy base for day trips, with beaches, wildlife and volcano scenery all within about two hours by road.
Playa Maderas and Playa Hermosa:
Surf beaches north of town with strong waves and quieter sand than the bay. Taxis cost about US$8 to 15 each way per car, or you can rent a scooter. Go in the morning when offshore winds are cleanest, and bring cash because card machines are rare. First-timers often arrive at midday and find the sun brutal and shade scarce.
👉 Explore Playa Maderas
Playa Ostional and Turtle Nesting:
Olive ridley turtles nest on beaches nearby, with the biggest arrivals between July and January. Plan about 1 hour each way, and budget US$30 to 60 for a guided trip. Do not use flash photography, which disturbs the animals.
👉 Explore La Flor Wildlife Refuge
Ometepe Island:
Twin volcanoes rise from Lake Nicaragua, and you can reach the island via Rivas and San Jorge, then a ferry. The trip takes about 3 hours each way, so start by 6 am, and costs around US$15 to 25 in transport plus entry fees. Dry season gives clearer volcano views. Many first-timers try to see too much in one day, so pick one beach or waterfall.
👉 Explore Ometepe
Granada:
Colonial streets, colorful facades and lake views. Shuttle and bus connections take about 2 to 2.5 hours each way, with round-trip costs of US$20 to 40. Dry months are best, though a long day is tiring, so consider an early departure.
👉 Explore Granada

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is broadly safe for backpackers, and most problems come from petty theft and too much rum. Phones and wallets disappear from beach towels and from pockets on the crowded bar strip, so leave valuables at your hostel and carry only what you need. Walk home in a group after dark, particularly along the dim beach road, and take a taxi for hill streets. Solo travelers do fine, but women especially should watch drinks and avoid isolated stretches of sand at night.
Rip currents can be strong on the bay and surf beaches, so swim where locals do and avoid after heavy storms. Taxis have no meters, so agree the fare first. Street sellers are persistent but friendly, and a calm no thanks is enough. On remote beach roads, ride scooters carefully and avoid riding at night.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

San Juan del Sur is well worth visiting for its own sake, since the bay, surf beaches and sunsets give it a rhythm that suits a stay rather than a stopover. Playa Maderas is a short ride away, the Sunday party crawl draws crowds, and dorm beds start around US$8 to 15. It also sits close to the Costa Rica border, so many people combine it with onward travel.
San Juan del Sur works well with 3 to 4 days if you want beach time, a surf lesson and one day trip such as Ometepe or turtle nesting. Surfers and those who like to unwind often stay a week, as daily costs can stay around US$45 to 55. A quick stop of one night is possible, but you will mostly just see the bay.
San Juan del Sur can be a long day trip from Granada or Managua, but it is not ideal. Shuttles take about 2 to 3 hours each way and cost US$15 to 40 round trip, leaving limited beach time. Staying at least one night is better, especially for sunset and an early surf session.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Nicaraguan towns near San Juan del Sur

Explore more nearby:

  • Tola—Highway stop, cash before the beaches, fritanga grills, cattle backroads| 21 km away
  • San Jorge—Ometepe ferry pier, pebbly shoreline, guapote lunches, twin-volcano sunsets| 22 km away
  • Moyogalpa—Ferry arrival, Concepción climb, bike rental, Ojo de Agua pools| 36 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

San Juan del Sur works best as the Pacific pause in a longer route, after the colonial streets of Granada and the volcano hikes of Ometepe, and before the border crossing south into Costa Rica. I would give it three nights, add a surf day at Maderas, and leave Sunday Funday for another trip.

✈️ When did I visit Nicaragua?
Nicaragua I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Nicaragua, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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