7 Epic Places to Visit in Nicaragua

There are many incredible places to visit in Nicaragua that should definitely be on your bucket list. Nicaragua is an absolutely gorgeous country located in Central America, boasting beautiful Caribbean beaches, surfing, hiking, incredible architecture, and friendly locals. The lesser-travelled country is in my top 5 countries I’ve ever visited!

From the beautiful Corn Islands to the stunning city of Léon, to the surf town of San Juan del Sur and the bustling city of Managua, there are certainly places to go for every travel taste! You’re bound to find exciting adventures that will create everlasting memories of Nicaragua. I sure did!

Continue reading for my list of the 6 best places to visit in Nicaragua!

*Before travelling to Nicaragua, be sure to research the travel advisories for the country. Due to recent civil unrest, the country can be quite dangerous to tourists.

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Best Time to Visit Nicaragua

While Nicaragua is amazing all year round, there are definitely better times to visit the country depending on places you want to visit. The wet season runs from May to October and the dry season is from November to April. During these times, your experience will definitely vary depending on where you visit. Be sure to thoroughly research the weather ahead of time to know what to expect!

For me, the best time to visit Nicaragua is during the wet season. It tends to be off-season for tourists, therefore cities and tourist attractions in Nicaragua are less busy. It tends to rain for a couple of hours in the afternoon, which leaves plenty of time in the morning and the evenings to explore the outdoors!

Best Places to Visit in Nicaragua

Managua

Nicaragua’s main airport hub is in Managua, a quirky spot that is typically treated as a transit city in the country, though it is one of the best cities to visit in Nicaragua! Visitors usually stay only a couple of days here to visit the lake and the top historical sites around the city. A couple of days is certainly enough to explore most of the best things to do in the city.

I enjoyed heading to the waterfront to explore Seawall Managua, which is right beside Puerto Salvador Allende. It’s a great place to sit on a patio and enjoy a beer while watching the water!

Where to Stay in Managua:

• For a top-rated stay with a nice pool, be sure to check out Hotel Mozonte.
• If you’re looking for a place right in the city center, Hotel RDG is a great choice (and the building is bright pink!)
• For more places to stay in Managua, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Léon

The second-largest city in the country, Léon, is filled with beautiful architecture and is a hub for exciting excursions. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Nicaragua in terms of cities! Wandering the streets, you can admire beautiful street art and you’ll definitely stumble upon many great restaurants to grab a bite to eat. The main square is full of life with locals selling goods and snacks, all surrounding the largest cathedral in Central America.

From Léon, you can head out on many different excursions. Be sure to book a volcano boarding adventure on Cerro Negro. On a day trip to Cerro Negro, you will suit up in bright jumpsuits, hike up an active volcano, then board down as fast as you can! It’s quite a unique experience and one of my favourite stories I tell to date about my trip to Nicaragua.

Where to Stay in Léon:

• If you’re looking for a charming boutique hotel, Hotel Flor De Sarta is sure to please.
• Hostal Lazybones is a top-rated and affordable place to stay in the city for those looking to make new friends!
• For more places to stay in Léon, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Granada

Ah, Granada. This city is most famous for the classic colonial architecture and cathedrals. The colourful city is incredible to wander around, with amazing views of volcanoes in the distance. One of the top places to visit nearby is Masaya Volcano, where you can see lava bubbling and glow in the crater during a night tour!

Where to Stay in Granada:

• For a stay at a popular hotel with charming rooms, be sure to check out Selina Granada.
• Hotel Dario Granada boasts stunning architecture with pretty blue colours.
• For more places to stay in Granada, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

San Juan del Sur

The beach town of San Juan del Sur is definitely the party capital of Nicaragua. Every Sunday, the legendary “Sunday Funday” party occurs, which is a pool party pub crawl! There’s something about the incredible weather and beaches that make this a hot spot for people wanting to visit a party city in Nicaragua.

There’s plenty of stunning beaches to relax on as well, where you can try out surfing or paddleboarding! The colourful town is filled with great food and really friendly locals, really making it one of the best places to visit in Nicaragua!

Where to Stay in San Juan del Sur:

• For a top-rated stay with gorgeous tropical-style rooms, be sure to check out Selina Maderas.
• TreeCasa Resort has one of the most incredible pools I’ve seen in the area and boasts tropical vibes.
• For more places to stay in San Juan del Sur, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Ometepe Island

Ometepe Island is located in Lake Nicaragua. The Island has two volcanoes at its ends, joined together by a narrow strip of land. Visitors typically rent a scooter and drive around the rocky dirt roads. But beware – the roads are certainly hazardous and many tourists fall off their scooters and scrape up their legs!

On the island, you can go walk around the perimeter, hike a volcano, kayak, visit archaeological sites, and much more! Be sure to visit some of the nearby waterfalls to enjoy more of the beauty of the island.

Where to Stay on Ometepe Island:

• If you’re looking for a place with a private beach and views of the volcanoes, check out Hotel San Juan Ometepe.
• Xalli Beach Hotel is located right on the beach and has plenty of hammocks to relax in!
• For more places to stay on Ometepe Island, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Masaya

Masaya is a stunning place to visit in Nicaragua that is known as a gateway to Masaya Volcano National Park and the beautiful scenery that falls within there. There is a crystal clear lake that will surely leave you speechless on a visit to the city. It is a popular tourist destination, with many tours operating our of the city with plenty of fun excursions to go on.

Where to Stay in Masaya:

• For a top-rated stay with charming rooms, Hostal Casa San Miguel is a great choice.
• Hacienda Puerta del Cielo is a stunning Eco Lodge & Spa and an amazing place to stay.
• For more places to stay in Masaya, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Corn Islands

Last, but certainly not least, is Corn Islands. This was by far my favourite place that I visited in Nicaragua. The two islands, Big Corn and Little Corn, boast a little-known paradise with turquoise waters and pristine beaches. With incredible weather, you’ll find yourself spending all day outside wandering around the island’s perimeter. It is lined with beaches and you’ll encounter incredible views everywhere you turn.

The calmness of the islands is unlike the other resort filled islands in the Caribbean. Here, you will have a genuine island experience without the interruption of oversaturated tourism. The experience is said to be similar to how the big Caribbean islands were 50 years ago before the boom of the tourist industry there.

Aside from the beautiful beaches, visitors are attracted to the islands due to the numerous diving spots. Divers explore the beautiful reefs and swim with interesting tropical fish, and then hang out at dive shops with friendly fellow divers! It is a great place to try scuba diving for your first time as there are plenty of dive shops that offer beginner courses.

Corn Islands is really unlike any other destination. It really is one of the best places to go in Nicaragua, especially for tourists!

Where to Stay on Corn Islands:

• For a gorgeous stay right on the water, check out Hotel Casa Canada. There’s also an amazing pool!
• Arenas Beach Hotel boasts a luxurious stay and is located right on the beach.
• For more places to stay on Corn Islands, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

Conclusion

Nicaragua is filled with incredible places to visit for tourists. From the stunning Caribbean beaches on Corn Islands to the bustling city of Managua, you’re definitely going to make some incredible memories while visiting the country. Be sure to research safety tips ahead of time to ensure you have a great trip!

Would any other destination make your list of best places to visit in Nicaragua? Let me know in the comments!

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