Overview
Nicaragua may be the largest Central American country but it is also one of the least visited, although there are growing signs that this is about to change. It’s a land where the violent geological and climatological history is matched by a human story of political upheavals, but now it is quiet, slowly developing its infrastructure, and eager to welcome visitors.
There are fuming volcanoes, with fertile shores lapped by the waters of glassy lakes, purple ranges of unexplored mountains and vast swathes of rainforest overwhelmed with wildlife. The highlands of Masaya National Park are cut through with trails and the banks of Rio San Juan festooned with tropical vegetation. Utterly peaceful Ometepe Island, with its twin volcanic peaks, rises from the vast sheet of water which comprises the metallic-blue Lake Nicaragua, the largest body of water in Central America.
The highland cities of Granada and León are steeped in history, art and culture. Beautiful colonial buildings and churches contrast vividly with political murals depicting the Nicaragua’s revolutionary past. There are near empty palm-fringed beaches on the Caribbean, especially on the simple Corn Islands. The Pacific coastline is equally unspoilt and a haven for surfers.
Our top holiday styles to Nicaragua
Holidays Nicaragua
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Group - Discovery
Panama / Costa Rica / Nicaragua / El Salvador / Honduras / Guatemala
Alcion: Central America Discovery
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Group - Discovery
Panama / Costa Rica / Nicaragua / El Salvador / Honduras / Guatemala
Alcion: Central America Discovery 2024
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Group - Discovery
Nicaragua
Cotinga: Off the beaten track Nicaragua
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Nicaragua
Self-drive Nicaragua: Adventures by road
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Places To Visit In Nicaragua
Discover our guide to the most exciting, memorable and inspiring places to visit.
Corn Islands
The Corn Islands are classic barefoot paradises, with sugary beaches shaded by brigades of waving coconut palms.
Granada
Overlooked by Mombacho volcano, the oldest city in Central America has a romantic setting almost unequalled on the continent.
Leon
Nicaragua’s second city and intellectual capital is brimful with red-tiled colonial-style buildings and effervesces with artistic and political energy.
Matagalpa and the north
Matagalpa is a breath of fresh mountainous air where pristine cloud forest provides the perfect environment for shade-grown coffee and is a boon for birders and hikers.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Where to go when - our guide to Nicaragua
The weather in Nicaragua is wide and varied
Having suffered years of political upheaval Nicaragua is now a peaceful destination characterised by fuming volcanoes, lakes, mountains, tropical islands, Caribbean and Pacific beaches and beautiful colonial cities steeped in culture and history. Situated well within the tropics, Nicaragua has a typical tropical climate with high temperatures all year round at low altitudes. The dry season runs from November – May with plenty of sunny days and warm sunshine; with the exception of the Caribbean coast which can experience a shower at any time. Temperatures are significantly modified by altitude and higher up it can be very cool at night. Nicaragua’s rainy season begins at the end of May but showers are generally short and confined to the afternoon or evening. From July it becomes increasingly wet and there’s a risk of tropical storms until November.
Over Easter there are celebrations throughout the country. Popular traditions include the donkey procession on Palm Sunday; a procession from all parts of Nicaragua that gathers in Granada. In late November San Juan del Sur hosts a week long beach party and surfing competition and from September to December there is a festival every Sunday in Masaya with parades and tamarindo music.
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