Nicaragua is the pearl of Central America, where volcanoes, crystal-clear lakes, and rich historical heritage form an impressive contrast.
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, located between Honduras and Costa Rica. It’s bordered by two oceans, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists due to its rich natural treasures, volcanoes, lakes, and cultural heritage.
Besides the diversity of natural values, visitors are attracted to Nicaraguan culture, Spanish colonial architecture, indigenous traditions, and the hospitable population. The country’s climate is tropical, warm year-round, ideal for vacationing and discovering breathtaking landscapes.
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Best places in Nicaragua
Granada
One of Nicaragua’s oldest and most picturesque cities, founded by the Spanish in 1524. Located on the shores of Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua), the settlement has become the country’s cultural and tourist center and is often referred to as the „Grand Sultan”.
The city’s main attraction is its beautifully preserved colonial architecture. The cathedral in the center, the Parque Central, and the colorful Spanish-style houses offer a real journey through time. Walking the city streets, you’ll encounter buildings reflecting Spanish and Moorish influences, with interior courtyards and balconies at every turn.
Granada’s special atmosphere is enriched by local gastronomy; it’s worth trying the traditional dish called vigorón, which consists of yucca root, chicharrón (pork cracklings), and a mixture of salad. Near the city is Las Isletas, a collection of 365 tiny islands in Lake Nicaragua that were formed during a volcanic eruption and can be explored by boat tours.
Ometepe Island
A magical volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua that encompasses two impressive volcanoes: Concepción and Maderas. The name Ometepe comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning „two mountains”.
The island has rich biodiversity, with tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and crystal-clear springs awaiting nature lovers. The Charco Verde nature reserve is particularly popular with birdwatchers, where nearly 80 bird species can be observed. The San Ramón waterfall on the side of Maderas volcano cascades down from a height of 50 meters, and during the hike there, you can encounter monkeys and exotic birds.
The island has a rich pre-Columbian history, as evidenced by numerous archaeological sites and petroglyphs. Ancient ceramics and sculptures can be viewed at the El Ceibo Museum. The locals mainly live from agriculture, growing bananas, coffee, and tobacco on the volcanic soil, which is extremely fertile.
León
Nicaragua’s second-largest city and former capital, famous for its wonderful colonial architecture and vibrant cultural life. The city is located at the foot of the Maribios mountain range, not far from the Pacific coast.
León’s most famous building is the Basílica Catedral de la Asunción, the largest cathedral in Central America, which is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. From the cathedral’s roof, there’s a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding volcanoes. The city is home to numerous museums, including the Rubén Darío Museum, which commemorates Nicaragua’s greatest poet.
León is a university town, home to UNAN (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua), so it’s always bustling and lively. The city played an important role in Nicaragua’s history, especially during the revolution. The Museo de la Revolución preserves the memory of the revolution, where former guerrillas give tours and share their personal stories. Not far from the city is the Cerro Negro volcano, where enthusiasts of the extreme sport called „volcano boarding” slide down steep slopes in volcanic ash.
Masaya Volcano National Park
The country’s first and largest national park, located just 20 kilometers from the capital, Managua. The park’s central attraction is the Masaya Volcano, which Spanish conquerors referred to as „The Mouth of Hell”.
The volcano’s uniqueness lies in it being one of the most active in the world and one of the few places on Earth where an active lava lake can be observed. The Santiago crater continuously emits smoke and gases, and at night, the red-hot lava provides a magical sight. On the way to the volcano, we pass by the Square of the Cross, where locals once performed human sacrifices to appease the volcano god.
Several tourist trails cross through the park, along which we can admire volcanic formations and the unique flora and fauna. The Chocoyero bat cave in the park is home to thousands of green parrots and bats. The nearby craft market, Mercado de Artesanías, is an ideal place to purchase local handicrafts, where particularly beautiful black ceramics are made from volcanic ash.
San Juan del Sur
A picturesque fishing village on the Pacific coast in southern Nicaragua that has now become a paradise for surfers and beach lovers.
The city’s crescent-shaped bay provides a protected harbor, and the fishing boats and yachts bobbing in the port offer a picturesque sight. Towering above the settlement is the Cristo de la Misericordia, a 26-meter-tall statue of Jesus, which is a smaller version of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ statue. The path to the statue is steep, but from the top, there’s an unparalleled panorama of the city, the bay, and the surrounding jungle.
San Juan del Sur offers more than 15 wonderful beaches nearby, including the popular Playa Maderas, a favorite among surfers. The city is famous for its vibrant nightlife and the Sunday Funday pool party held every Sunday. In the area, numerous eco-tourism businesses offer jungle tours, and there’s also the opportunity for turtle watching at the nearby La Flor Nature Reserve, where thousands of sea turtles come ashore each year to lay their eggs.
Corn Islands
Two magical islands (Big Corn and Little Corn) in the Caribbean Sea, located about 70 kilometers off Nicaragua’s eastern coast. The islands’ culture and atmosphere differ significantly from the rest of the country, as they are inhabited by English-speaking Creole population.
Big Corn Island is the larger and more developed of the two islands, with bungalows, hotels, and restaurants. The beach surrounding the island, with its crystal-clear water and white sand, entices visitors. The locals mainly live from fishing, and at the end of every January, they hold the Crab Soup Festival, where they celebrate the local specialty, coconut milk crab soup, with music and dance.
Little Corn Island is a true untouched paradise, where there are no cars, only footpaths leading through the tropical vegetation. The coral reefs surrounding the island are excellent diving and snorkeling spots, where colorful corals and rich marine life await adventurers. The beaches on the eastern side of the island are the least visited, providing a perfect refuge for those seeking complete seclusion.
Laguna de Apoyo
A crystal-clear lake between Managua and Granada that is actually a volcanic caldera, formed after a volcanic eruption more than 23,000 years ago. The green forested hills surrounding the crater lake provide a picturesque environment.
The lake’s water is slightly salty and rich in minerals, providing a special floating sensation while swimming. The water temperature is pleasantly warm year-round, averaging 27-28 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for bathing. There are numerous viewpoints around the lake, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire caldera.
Several endemic fish species live in Laguna de Apoyo, found nowhere else in the world. The village of Catarina on the lake’s shore is famous for its craft market and panorama terrace, from which we can see the entire lake. Numerous hiking trails around the lake offer opportunities to explore the area, and in the forest, you can encounter monkeys, exotic birds, and butterflies.
Mombacho Volcano
A 1,344-meter-high volcano just 10 kilometers from the city of Granada, with its top covered in dense cloud forest. The volcano last erupted about 450 years ago, and today its slopes are home to coffee plantations.
The volcano’s uniqueness lies in the four different ecosystems that have developed on it as altitude increases and temperature decreases. More than 700 plant species live in the cloud forest, including 87 orchid species. The Mombacho Nature Reserve at the top of the volcano offers numerous hiking trails, along which we can enjoy the lush vegetation and incredible views of Lake Nicaragua and the Las Isletas archipelago.
A special feature of Mombacho is the „Canopy Tour” where you can glide above the canopy on a zipline, observing the tropical forest’s wildlife up close. On the northern slope of the volcano is the „Fumaroles Trail” where we can see active fumaroles, steam eruptions, and feel the underground heat. At the foot of the volcano, the Hacienda El Progreso coffee plantation visitor center welcomes those interested, where we can learn about the history of Nicaraguan coffee production.
Montelimar Beach
One of the most beautiful and longest sandy beaches on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, just 65 kilometers from the capital, Managua. The nearly 3-kilometer-long beach section was once the private property of dictator Anastasio Somoza.
The beach is lined with palm trees, and the black volcanic sand provides a unique sight with ocean waves arriving with white foam. There are numerous luxury hotels along the coast offering full service to sun worshippers. The Barceló Montelimar Beach Resort is one of the most famous among them, welcoming guests with its tropical garden and multiple pools on a 210-hectare area.
There are numerous water sports options available on the beach, including jet skiing, sailing, and surfing. Not far from the shore is the fishing village of Masachapa, where you can taste freshly caught seafood delicacies in local restaurants. In the area, there’s also the opportunity for turtle watching when, at certain times of the year, sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Matagalpa
The „coffee city” in the mountainous region of northern Nicaragua, situated 700 meters above sea level, thus having a pleasant, cooler climate than the rest of the country.
The area around the city is covered with lush coffee plantations, and Matagalpa is the center of Nicaragua’s coffee production. Selva Negra, an eco-lodge and coffee plantation founded by German immigrants, is a popular tourist destination where tours are organized on the coffee plantations and in the mountains. Visitors can learn about the entire coffee production process, from planting the seeds to roasting.
In the city of Matagalpa, it’s worth visiting the cathedral, the Casa de Cultura cultural center, and the coffee museum, which showcases the history of the region’s coffee production. Numerous hiking trails lead through the mountains around the city, where you can discover waterfalls, cloud forests, and rich birdlife. The nearby Peñas Blancas nature reserve is particularly popular among hikers.
Pearl Cays Islands
A paradise of 18 tiny coral islands in the Caribbean Sea off Nicaragua’s eastern coast, offering unparalleled experiences for lovers of untouched nature and turquoise waters.
The islands got their name from pearl fishing, which was once a flourishing industry in the region. Today, the waters surrounding the islands are rich in lobster and other marine animals, with lobster fishing being the main source of livelihood for local fishermen. The islands’ white sandy beaches and palm trees provide a postcard-worthy sight, while colorful coral reefs and rich marine life await divers in the crystal-clear water.
Most of the islands are uninhabited or have only minimal infrastructure, providing a perfect setting for those seeking real seclusion. Around the Pearl Cays are some of the richest turtle nesting grounds in the Caribbean region, including those of the endangered hawksbill turtles. The mangrove swamps surrounding the islands provide homes for numerous bird species and marine animals.
Somoto Canyon
An impressive natural formation in northern Nicaragua, in Madriz County, which surprisingly only became known to the general public in 2004 when a team of geologists discovered it.
The canyon is millions of years old and was carved out by the Coco River (also known as Wangki or Segovia), which is one of Central America’s longest rivers. The canyon walls rise to heights of 120-150 meters in places, and the crystal-clear water flowing between them plays in a special blue-green color. The narrowest part of the canyon is just 5 meters wide.
Visitors can boat, swim, or raft in the canyon and discover hidden caves and waterfalls. The more adventurous can try rock climbing or cliff jumping. Tour guides offer various tours in the canyon, from easy 3-hour walks to full-day, more adventurous expeditions. In the area, it’s also worth visiting the town of Somoto, which is famous for its drink called pinolillo, a traditional Nicaraguan beverage made from a mixture of corn, cocoa, and spices.
Rio Indio Maíz Biosphere Reserve
A vast, 4,500-square-kilometer rainforest reserve in southeastern Nicaragua, near the Costa Rican border, which is the country’s largest and most untouched conservation area.
The reserve is named after the Rio Indio and Rio Maíz rivers that flow through the area. The UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve is a true treasure trove of biodiversity, home to endangered species such as the jaguar, puma, ocelot, Central American tapir, and harpy eagle. During boat tours, we can observe caimans, river turtles, and several monkey species.
More than 400 bird species live in the rainforest, including the colorful quetzal and various parrot species. The plant world is also impressively rich, numbering thousands of species, including orchids, bromeliads, and medicinal plants. The entrance to the reserve is located at the settlement of San Juan de Nicaragua (formerly San Juan del Norte or Greytown), from where we can set out on exploratory journeys into the rainforest with local guides. Traveling on the river in traditional wooden canoes provides a special experience, while we can also learn about the life and culture of the Rama and Miskito indigenous communities who live in the reserve area.