Best time to visit Nicaragua

In this guide, we will explore the best time to visit Nicaragua.

Often regarded as one of the best tourist destinations you can visit in Central America, Nicaragua has a tonne of value.

From visiting its colonial cities and hiking fiery volcanoes to meeting the friendly locals, you’ll find it all here in spades.

Best time to visit Nicaragua

In this guide, we’ll look at the best time to go to Nicaragua, which includes whether this nation is worth visiting as well as how long we recommend staying.

As well as looking at 5 of the very best things you can do in Nicaragua, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.

February and March are some of the best months to visit Nicaragua, which are both cheap and in the middle of the dry season.

Whilst the weather can be sometimes overbearing, clear skies mean that your travel plans are unlikely to get ruined by heavy rains or inaccessible rural roads.

Is Nicaragua worth visiting?

Nicaragua truly is a great country for backpackers to visit. Not only are costs cheap and destinations safe, there is also a ton of things to see and do.

From visiting Caribbean islands and colonial Spanish towns to riding down the side of a volcano, there really is something for everyone here.

The country also has a mix of popular touristy places as well as hidden, off the beaten path destinations. This means pretty much all travelers can find something that suits their own particular wants and needs.

What is the best month to visit Nicaragua?

Having spent time here and also carried out extensive research, we’ve found that March is the overall best month (closely followed by February).

Heading around this time means that you will be right in the middle of the dry season, with little rains ruining your daily plans. It’s also the cheapest month of the year too, where you’ll find deals on international flights into Managua.

You’ll also find that some of the best hostels and other accommodation types will offer rooms cheaper too, although tours will most likely cost the same regardless of when you visit during the year.

How long should I spend in Nicaragua?

Those who want to see the main sights of this Central American nation will want to spend 10 days in Nicaragua. Here you’ll be able to visit the popular hubs of Granada, León and San Juan del Sur whilst doing all of the major activities.

If you have more time and want to explore Nicaragua on a deeper level, then 3 weeks would be perfect. With this amount of time, you can also visit the picturesque Corn Islands, and also some of the smaller towns around Lake Ometepe.

Those who are wanting to learn to surf will want to spend much more time along the Pacific coast, and if this is the case for you then it’s best to stay as long as reasonably possible!

Things to do in Nicaragua

Let’s now explore 5 of the best things to do in Nicaragua below:

Hike the Crater of Masaya Volcano

Bubbling with red hot lava, this volcano is very much still active and erupted as recently as a few years ago. Whilst you of course can’t go down, you can stand around the perimeter and enjoy what is a truly mesmerizing sight.

There are also many hiking trails, and to the west of the crater, you can climb the nearby hill to get some postcard-perfect views. It’s best to come during the evening for the sunset, and also as it will be much easier to see the magma at the bottom of the crater.

Masaya Volcano is located closest to the colonial city of Granada, so it’s worth making the hour trip from here rather than from León.

We recommend heading on this private tour from Granada, which includes hotel pick-up and drop-off as well as a short, guided hike around the volcano.

Live it up in San Juan del Sur

Known as the place to be in Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur is a small town located along the Pacific coast of this nation. It’s known for its many beaches, with the cooler waters here being a much-needed welcome from the often overbearing heat traveler face in Nicaragua.

The party scene here is also by far the best too, and many head here from Leon or Granada for the weekend (Sunday Funday is a very popular hit and worth coming once for).

Other great things to do here include Surfing, where you can also get lessons for a cheap rate as well as hiking up to Cristo de la Misericordia for the best views over San Juan del Sur.

You can easily catch a bus here from Managua which takes a couple of hours, and those further south who are backpacking Costa Rica, can take a shuttle directly here from San José.

Go Volcanoboarding

You don’t even need to know anything about Nicaragua to know that Volcanoboarding is a popular activity to do here.

Daredevils from around the world meet up in León, where they head on a bus to the famed volcano of Cerro Negro. Whilst now extinct, its black, sandy slopes are perfect for riding down. Here you’ll hike up the side, put on some prison overalls and then hold on for dear life as you make your way down a wooden plank.

Whilst the record stands at an unbelievable 101km, you can of course head down slower! Many companies offer this experience, however, Bigfoot Hostel is by far the best as you get the full experience with drinks included after, as well as getting to wear their infamous orange jumpsuits too.

Those who are in a rush can join this half-day tour instead, which includes all transport, equipment and an English-speaking guide too.

Visit the Corn Islands

Although Nicaragua is growing in popularity, it still retains a more untouched vibe when compared to other Central American nations. And with all the travelers focusing on the big west-coast cities, you’ll find an unexplored region perfect for adventure in the east.

The Corn Islands are a perfect example of this, which are located within the calm and blue waters of the Caribbean. Here you’ll find a more relaxed culture along with locals who are very friendly and welcoming.

The waters here are perfect for diving and snorkeling, where you’ll be able to spot an almost endless variety of tropical beauties. As well as white-sand beaches, you’ll also find many swamps filled with Turtles, Iguanas and even Boa Constrictors too!

Explore the Colourful Streets of Granada

Those who are after charming streets along with colourful buildings will absolutely love Granada. This popular tourist destination now feels quite gringofied with various hostels and western restaurants here, however local life still dominates the area.

This is best found in the architecture that hasn’t changed since the Spanish colonial period, where cobblestone streets and houses ranging from green and red to purple are found throughout the historic centre. This guided walking tour is a perfect option, which includes a horse carriage ride as well as a knowledgeable guide who will teach you everything you need to know.

You can also explore independently if you prefer. Calle La Libertad (which runs through the heart of Granada) is the best place to start, from which you can explore the stunning colonial church in the Parque Central.

It’s also worth walking down the built up street of Calle la Calzada, which provides a nice contrast before you reach the imposing Church of Guadalupe.

Best time to go to Nicaragua FAQs

Best time to visit Nicaragua

And that’s all for this guide on the best time to visit Nicaragua.

In our humble opinion, we believe that Nicaragua is one of the best value for money destinations you can visit in Central America. Not only is it much cheaper than its neighbours (especially to the south), there are also plenty of worthwhile things to see and do here.

In this guide we’ve covered the best time to visit Nicaragua, as well as our own personal recommendations for you to get the most out of a trip here. At the end we’ve also answered your most burning questions in our FAQ section.

See our backpacking Nicaragua guide for more ideas on where to go while here.

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