Know before you go: A basic guide to Nicaragua

Popular destinations

• Granada: Colorful Andalusian-inspired architecture, a sprawling central park shaded by mango trees, and beautiful churches give a lot of charm to this city that sits right on Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. In a long-time rivalry with León to be Nicaragua's most important city, Granada has been controlled by the country's conservatives and wealthy elites. Popular things to do in and around the city are kayaking through Las Isletas (the cluster of small islands in Lake Nicaragua), relaxing at Laguna de Apoyo, hiking Volcán Mombacho, and visiting Volcán Masaya.

• León: If Granada is Nicaragua's picturesque and proper city, León is its gritty but passionate soul. The city that gave birth to the Nicaraguan revolution, it is home to many former Sandinista soldiers and university students who give life and context to the political murals on the streets. The city is also located a short 30 minute drive from the beach, which is a great place to escape the heat (León is the hottest part of the country). Other things to do in León include visiting the Museum of Revolution and the Museum of Legends and Traditions, volcano boarding, and tasting the world's best rum at the Flor de Caña factory in Chichigalpa.
   
• Isla de Ometepe: A volcanic island paradise located in Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is the place to tune in with nature. Permaculture farms, yoga retreats, and generally holistic-inspired hostels and cafés dot the lush island, and most people get around on scooters and horses, both of which you can easily rent for very reasonable prices. While there, make sure to hike one (or both) volcanoes, visit the pristine waterhole of Ojo de Agua, swim at the beach of Santo Domingo, catch some stunning sunrises and sunsets, stargaze, and rent a scooter to get around the island.
   
• The Corn Islands: These remote islands off Nicaragua's Caribbean coast offer some of the best snorkeling and diving in the region. While both islands are very undeveloped, Big Corn Island has more infrastructure and is more populated with locals, whereas Little Corn Island doesn't have any roads and is more pristine but also more touristy. Either way, you're guaranteed clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches without the major development of resorts and cruises.
   
• The Northern Highlands: Estelí, Matagalpa, and Jinotega are mountainous towns (Matagalpa is more of a small city) that serve as entryways into the highland forests. Much less touristy than any of the above places, these are great towns to get a sense of Nicaraguan life. Estelí is also the cigar capital of world-famous Nicaraguan cigars, and Matagalpa and Jinotega produce some of the finest coffee in the country. Popular things to do here are cigar tours, homestays and hikes in the Miraflor Nature Reserve, coffee tasting, and a visit to Selva Negra.
   
• The Pacific Coast: Nicaragua is a great place to get your feet wet. The Pacific not only offers some great surfing, but beaches like Isla Los Brasiles are turtle nestling grounds and between September and February, you can watch hundreds of baby olive ridley, leatherback, and green turtles make their way to the ocean. Beaches like Popoyo and Gigante are known for great surfing and laid back vibes. For a party scene, head to San Juan del Sur.

When to go

High season is December through April, with virtually no rain. It's busiest around the holidays of Christmas, New Years, and Easter.

Low season is May through October. This is the rainy season, and road and hiking conditions are muddy and sometimes impassable.

Shoulder season is November. The rain slows down, but temperatures are still cooler. Coffee harvest begins in the northern region.

Currency exchange rates & affordability
(as of March 2018)

Nicaraguan córdoba

$1 USD = $31.3 córdoba
€1 = $38.5 córdoba
£1 = $43.6 córdoba
$1 CAD = $23.9 córdoba
$1 AUD = $24.1 córdoba

Nicaragua is a budget backpacker's heaven. Prices for food, accommodation, and public transportation are seriously cheap. But what shocked us the most was the fact that nightlife is also a bargain, with drinks like domestic beer costing about the same at the bar as at the grocery store. We were able to indulge quite a bit in Nicaragua, and stocked up on things like first-class rum before heading into much more expensive Costa Rica and Panama. Activities are generally pretty affordable, with the exception of Granada, which we generally found had the highest prices in the country.

Entry & exit requirements

US residents need a valid passport to enter Nicaragua. There is a $12 entrance fee for a tourist card upon arrival in Nicaragua, and a $3 exit fee when you leave the country. Be aware that Nicaragua is part of the CA-4 countries, along with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. When you enter one of these countries, you're granted a 90-day visa to split between all four.

Getting around Nicaragua

Most hot-spots in Nicaragua are located on the western side of the country, and all are connected by nicely paved roads. If you want to get just about anywhere on this side of the country, chances are there is a chicken bus that will get you there for less than $1 USD. Door-to-door shuttle service is also available between most tourist destinations, but you'll pay significantly more. To reach the remote Corn Islands, you can either fly from Managua or take the adventurous route overland to the Caribbean, and then a boat to the islands.

Local transportation

Taxis are everywhere in cities like León and Granada, and while we didn't use them, we heard the prices were pretty reasonable. But when you consider that chicken buses also connect many local routes and cost mere cents, you'll likely find yourself on one of these over-packed vintage buses.

Major grocery stores

For long-term travelers doing some cooking at home, La Colonia, La Unión, Palí, and Maxi-Palí will be your best friends.

Staying healthy

It is not safe to drink the water in Nicaragua, but bottled water is available everywhere. Many hostels and guesthouses offer filtered water that is safe to drink.

Mosquitos can transmit illnesses like dengue fever, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya. Discuss your travel plans with a doctor to see if you need to take anti-malarials or need any vaccines. Typhoid fever and Hepatitis A vaccines are usually recommended in addition to routine vaccines. Applying sunscreen, insect repellent, and staying hydrated are always good ideas.