A guide to Nicaragua

The largest country in Central America - dubbed the land of lakes and volcanoes - Nicaragua has retained its off-the-beaten-path feeland much of it has been preserved rather than developed.

Whether you want to feast on gourmet local producetaste top-notch rumwake up and smell the organic coffee surrounded by Spanish-colonial architecturelounge on idyllic white-sand beaches beneath swaying palmsclamber over – and surf down – active volcanoesride some big waves or go monkey-spotting in lush forestsNicaragua has something for you.

When should you go to Nicaragua? As soon as possible...

When should I go to Nicaragua?

Subtropical Nicaragua is a year-round destination with two distinct seasons: hot and dry from November to May and hot and wet from June to Octoberaka the "green season." The rains usually come in shortsharp bursts in the late afternoonwith plenty of sunshine the rest of the time; September and October are the wettest months.

Nicaragua is at its most popular (and most expensive) over ChristmasNew Year and Easterwhen towns and cities hold colorful religious festivals and Nicaraguans flock to the beaches.

Is it easy to get to and around Nicaragua?

Nicaragua’s international airport is Augusto C. Sandino in Managuaand there are direct flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale in the USMexico City and Panama Cityand plenty of connecting flights.

If you’re traveling around Central America by bus, Transnica covers Costa RicaHondurasand Nicaraguawhile Transporte del Sol operates in GuatemalaEl SalvadorCosta Rica and Nicaragua.

You can also get around the country on local buseswhether "chicken buses" – reinvented North American school buses that rattle along at breakneck speed – or good-value long-distance coaches that are reasonably comfortable.

La Costeña offers daily flights from Managua to Great Corn Island and ferries cross Lake Nicaragua to Isla de Ometepe and the Solentiname archipelago. Explore the historic centers of Granada and León on footbut taxis are cheap and plentiful if you want to go further afield.

How long do I need in Nicaragua?

In a weekmost visitors skip Managua and head straight to colonial-era Granadaon the shores of Lake Nicaragua. After you’ve explored the cityits lakes and volcanoestake a puddle jumper to the Corn Islandsbus it to the beaches of San Juan del Surchill on the volcanic isle of Ometepeor surf down an active volcano in Léon.

In two or three weeksyou could cover all the above and add on a visit to the lush Solentiname islands and their primitivist artistsor take a jungle journey along the Río San Juanthe watery frontier with Costa Rica. And with more timeyou could brush up your Spanish at one of the many wallet-friendly schools.

Top things to do in Nicaragua

1. Peer into a volcanic crater in Granada

Granada is one of Central America’s oldest and loveliest citiesall postcard-pretty plazas, ornate churches and cobbled streets lined with rainbow-colored houseswhere locals drag their rocking chairs onto the streets to catch up with their neighbors.

But you’re never far from nature. Spend an evening peering into Masaya Volcano’s crater as luminous orange molten lava bubbles away below youdiscover its string of volcanic isletas (islets) by kayakhike through – or zipline above – Mombacho Volcano’s cloud forestcool off in the crater lake of Laguna de Apoyoand visit the skilled artisans of Masaya and the Pueblos Blancos.

2. Ride the Pacific rollers

Stellar waves and wild beaches line Nicaragua’s Pacific coastand it’s long been a haunt of surfers in the know. To the southlaid-back San Juan del Sur is surf-and-party central – the Sunday Funday Pool Crawl is a backpacker legend. But the surfing is better out of town – Playa Maderas20 minutes northhas the best beach breakwhile mellow Playa Remanso15 minutes southis perfect for novices.

In Popoyoaround 75km (47 miles) to the norththe surf breaks have the most consistent swells for wave riders of all levelswith rentals and surf schools aplenty.

3. Surf down an active volcano

Adrenaline junkies can climb up and whizz back down the black ash slopes of still-rumbling Cerro Negro volcano on a specially designed boardhitting speeds of up to 100kph.

Nicaragua’s youngest volcano is a short hop from Léonthe northern colonial-era capital that’s home to the larges  cathedral in Central America.

Léon has the buzzy feel of a university citywith eclectic museums including the Museo Histórico de la Revoluciónand artfrom the contemporary Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián to street murals.

4. Kick back in the Caribbean

Around 70km off Nicaragua’s east coastthe pocket-sized Corn Islands tick all the Caribbean boxes – palm-fringedicing-sugar sand beachesgin-clear water and a chilled-out vibe – without the hefty price tag.

Car-free Little Corn is a short flight from Managua followed by a bouncy 40-minute boat ride from Great Corn. Snorkel and scuba the pristine reefsflop into a hammock for a front-row view of the sunsetthen dine feet-in-the-sand on just-caught fish to a reggae soundtrack.

5. Enjoy volcanic island life

The twin-coned volcanic Isla de Ometepe rises out of the silver-flat surface of Lake Nicaraguaand both fertiledormant Volcán Maderas and rockyfiery Volcán Concepción make challenging climbs.

Less strenuous is the beautiful cloud forest hike to the San Ramón waterfallwildlife-watching from a kayak along the green-fringed Istián Riverhowler-monkey spotting at Reserva Charco Verde and hikes to ancient petroglyphs. Or tour a community-owned coffee finca or a tree-to-bar chocolate farm before a feast of organic farm-to-fork fare at Café Campestre.

My favorite thing to do in Nicaragua

I love tucking into Nicaragua’s one-of-a-kind dishes. Nacatamales are flavorsome parcels of corn dough stuffed with marinated spicy pork or chickenricechiliesolives and moreall wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed.

Granada’s favorite street food is vigorónan energy-boosting combination of boiled cassava and crispy chicharrones (fried pork rinds)topped with a tangy cabbage salad.

The country’s bountiful tropical fruitssuch as mangosguanábana (soursop) and calala (passion fruit)appear in batidas (shakes)top-notch coffee is grown on fertile volcanic slopeswhile Flor de Caña’s 12-year-old naturally aged rum is rated one of the world’s finest. And now artisan chocolate makerssuch as Argencove in Granadaare turning the country’s cacao into award-winning chocolate bars.

How much money do I need for Nicaragua?

Nicaragua is one of the cheapest countries in Central America. There’s accommodation to suit all budgetsfrom hostels and family-run guesthouses to eco-friendly boutique hotels and luxe resorts. Buses are a bargainand you can fill up on street foodeat in a comedor (local restaurant) or splurge on fine dining.

• Hostel bed: from US$8

• Budget hotel room for two: from US$27

• Bus ticket: from US$1

• Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: from US$25

• Nicaraguan coffee: from US$2

• Local beer: from US$1.30

Is Nicaragua safe to visit?

StatisticallyNicaragua is the safest country in Central America after Costa Rica. Just take the same precautions you would at home. Don’t flash your cash or valuables in public placesand avoid isolated and dimly lit areas at nightespecially if you’re alone – ask a local for advice on unsafe neighborhoods.

Order a radio taxi where possibleand if you rent a car don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. If you come across a demonstrationleave the area.

Editor's note: This article was sponsored by Nicaragua Tourism after the city was selected for Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2024. Sponsors do not influence a destination's inclusion in Best In Travelwhich is determined solely by Lonely Planet's editorial team.