Nicaragua Travel Guide

No longer a war-torn country, Nicaragua offers a good combination of natural beauty and colonial sights. You can view colonial buildings that date back nearly 500 years while admiring the volcanic backdrop or get up close and personal with those volcanoes during a hike. .

The towns of Leon and Granada were leading cities during the Spanish colonial era and remain attractive places to visit. Granada was once one of the richest cities in the New World and remains packed with impressive colonial buildings. A walk through the old town reveals many churches and buildings that were built shortly after Columbus landed. Leon was Nicaragua’s capital for over 300 years and is home to Central America’s largest church – the Cathedral de la Asuncion. Nearby is the ruined city of Old Leon, and the Momotombo Volcano, which you can hike up and see excellent views from the top.

Unspoiled Lake Nicaragua is known as the “Sweet Sea” in Spanish and contains over three hundred islands and an outstanding amount of marine life that includes the world’s only entirely freshwater sharks. Within the lake is the lush volcanic Ometepe Island, which offers excellent hiking and mountain biking options

Last edited Sep 9, 08 11:30 PM.
Flights from SFO
Get Quote
Hotels & Hostels
Get Quote
4.8 star rating
(5 reviews)
Masaya, Managua & Surrounds, Nicaragua
A very nice lagune with nice cold refreshing water. Just a little windy if your stay on the cliffs but down on the seaside very nice and good to bath just take care that you don´t enter privateproperty...the..
4.8 star rating
(4 reviews)
Isla de Ometepe, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
The Isla de Ometepe is beautiful and majestic. Stay at Finca Magdalena for a truly rustic experience. Climbing the volcanoes is a tough adventure- you have to start early and get back late. Make sure you bring..
4.8 star rating
(4 reviews)
Masaya, Managua & Surrounds, Nicaragua
Beautiful view of the volcano which is south of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. The crater constantly emits sulfur dioxide gas....the smell takes a bit to get used to! But the view and natural beauty is well worth..
4.7 star rating
(3 reviews)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Playa Maderas is located about 20 minutes north of San Juan del Sur. It is the most popular surf beach with easy access to town. There is a spot to stay and get a good fried fish or a cold beer. If you are..
5.0 star rating
(1 reviews)
Rivas, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is located on the Southwestern pacific coast of Nicaragua. The horseshoe shaped bay has a population of about 18,000 and is the hub of beach tourism in Nicaragua.
1 to 5 of 41 | Go to page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Travel Tips for Nicaragua

Rivas, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Take aboat over to Ometepe... definitely worth a visit and a climb to the waterfall... (second volcano)
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
a great place for chilling and planning some surfing around the corner.
Good tip?  
(+1)
Corn Island, Caribbean Coast, Nicaragua
beautiful caribic island ;)
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Coming of the main road going straight to the beach, when facing the ocean, walk to your right for about 5-10 minutes and you will find a nice pizzeria, accesible from the beach.
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Bring some type of towel when staying in a Hostel. Half the time they dont have any.
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
If going to SJDS stay at Piedras Y Olas for a luxury stay. If you can't afford it spend the day up there and stay for sunset! $5.00 gets you all day use of the pools. Well worth it. The food is great too!
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Very cheap lobster when is available
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
A beautiful little fishing/surfers town. Nice place on the beach, coming up tourism, but still really pure. If you are here stay in arena caliente, it's in the same street as you get off the buss. Or find a nice cabinas. Arena Caliente is a great place, especially when you like surfing, a lot of local surfers are chilling here, so that gives a nice atmosphere. You get your own room for more or less 6 dollars a night. There's a kitchen and you share the toilet and shower. It isn't a new building, not for tourist with money or who likes luxury! So if that's where you're not looking for it's a great place to stay! In the night you have to go to the iguana bar or tsunami's! If they are closing you've still the sportsbar thats open, it's in the same street as the market(a great market with great comedores with really good food for a nice price!) You've also happy hours in la pelican, a really nice luxury hotel with a nice view, at wednesday and friday nights(maybe it's changed so ask the locals)! If you want to learn spanish as well, you can arrange this over there, i will recommend to stay at a host family so you will get to know the life of a nica family! I can't remember the name of the school but you have a really good school right on the beach for a good price! San Juan is a great beach place, to get in touch with the locals, learn spanish, to surf or learn to surf, and to enjoy the rum of nicaragua!
Good tip?  
(+1)
San Juan del Sur, Southwestern Nicaragua, Nicaragua
meravilloso y con unos paisajes que te dejan sin aliento...
Good tip?  
(+1)
Managua, Managua & Surrounds, Nicaragua
There are bus tours of Managua that take you between the extreme poor and wealthy areas of the city. Very difficult emotionally, but feels an important thing to do.
The Sandino statue is pretty cool too. If you are Canadian you can stay at the Casa Canadiense, and they can help you organize the rest of your trip in Nicaragua, ie: Ometepe.
Good tip?  
(0)
Gecko Travelers in Nicaragua
Sean
..
     
1
9
1