Lakes, volcanoes and colonial towns on both Pacific and Caribbean shores.
Nicaragua is a country of lakes and volcanoes. Granada's colourful colonial streets sit on the shore of vast Lake Nicaragua, where Ometepe island rises as twin volcanic cones, Concepción and Maderas. León has grand churches and a student buzz, with Cerro Negro nearby for volcano boarding, and Masaya volcano glows at night. San Juan del Sur draws surfers, and the Corn Islands lie far out in the Caribbean.
Travel is inexpensive and relaxed, with gallo pinto, grilled meats and fresh fruit on every menu. Converted school buses and shuttles connect the main towns. The dry season from December to April is the best time; the rains build from May, with September and October the wettest months.
Best time to visit Nicaragua
January, February, March, April, December.
Places to visit in Nicaragua
Granada: One of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, with pastel houses, church towers and islets on the shore of Lake Nicaragua.
León: Nicaragua's intellectual and revolutionary centre, with a vast white cathedral, murals, art museums and nearby volcanoes.
Ometepe: An island of two volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua, with farms, petroglyphs, cloud forest and freshwater beaches.
San Juan del Sur: A bay-side fishing town turned surf base, with nearby beaches for every level and a giant Christ statue over the bay.
Essentials
Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
Language: Spanish; English on the Caribbean coast
Plugs: Type A / B, 120 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−6
Tipping: 10% is often added to restaurant bills
Getting around: Chicken buses and tourist shuttles; boats and small planes for Ometepe and the Corn Islands
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking