Travel through versatile Nicaragua

Nicaragua, located between Honduras and Costa Rica, is a country you definitely shouldn't miss. It's not only affordable but also offers everything you could wish for: vibrant cities, impressive volcanoes, idyllic islands, and beautiful beaches. Distances between major destinations are short, making traveling around incredibly easy. The friendly people complete the picture, making Nicaragua a perfect holiday destination.

How to get there?

Most travelers arrive in the capital, Managua, by plane. If you're traveling from neighboring countries, it's best to use public transport or shared taxis. Ideal starting points are León (from Honduras) or San Juan del Sur (from Costa Rica).

Transport in Nicaragua

Traveling by public transport is perfectly feasible in Nicaragua. In many places, taxi drivers try to persuade you to take a taxi by saying the bus isn't coming today, but will be arriving mañana mañana. The bus usually arrives on time (or at least within a reasonable timeframe). If you're unsure, ask the locals; they always know exactly when the bus leaves. If you have the time, public transport is truly the most economical way to travel. But if you want to travel quickly, you can also take a taxi, as the distances are often not that far.

Nicaragua itinerary

For a tour of Nicaragua, you'll need two to three weeks to see everything properly. I recommend visiting the following places: León, Granada, San Juan del Sur, the Corn Islands, and Isla de Ometepe.

Admire the cathedral and volcano boarding in León

León is considered by many backpackers to be the nicest city in Nicaragua ánd I agree. The city center is charming, with colorful houses, markets, and one of the largest cathedrals in the country.

Where to stay?

Lazybones

A cozy hostel with shared and private rooms. It features a covered terrace where you can relax in the (rocking) chairs.

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Poco a Poco Hostel

This hostel offers both shared and private bedrooms. It has a garden and an outdoor pool and is popular with backpackers.

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Things to do in León

León Cathedral, located on Plaza de Regla, is painted entirely white, and a visit to the roof is a must. From there, you have a fantastic view of the city, especially at sunset. Note: You can buy a ticket for this in the basement, which is accessible from the side of the cathedral.

Mañana Mañana Café

The place for a delicious breakfast or lunch, and you can enjoy delicious coffee here all day long.

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The highlight of a visit to León is literally at a high point: volcano boarding from the Cerro Negro volcano (translates to "black hill"). This fun day, where you'll ultimately board from the volcano on a sled, can be booked through the Bigfoot hostel. You can also book this tour if you're not staying at Bigfoot. Besides boarding, the tour also includes transportation in a chicken bus, equipment, a campfire, music, and a cozy dinner.

Caribbean idylls on the Corn Islands

The Corn Islands, off Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, are true paradises. You can fly to these islands from Managua. You can also travel by boat via Bluefields, although this will take a bit longer, as you'll need to take several buses/boats to reach your final destination.

Where to stay?

Little Corn Island is smaller and more popular with backpackers, while Big Corn Island offers a wider selection of restaurants and accommodations. Both islands have that typical "paradise" feel with palm trees, blue waters, and quiet beaches. Note: There are no ATMs on Little Corn, so bringing cash is recommended.

Things to do in the Corn Islands

You'll mainly visit the Corn Islands to relax on one of the beaches. For example, in the north of Little Corn, you'll find the beautiful white sands of Yemaya. If you enjoy diving and snorkeling, you'll feel right at home on the islands. You can also admire the stars at night, as there's no electricity on the islands between approximately 6:00 PM and 12:00 AM.

Turned turtle bar and restaurant

In this cozy little beach tent on Little Corn you'll find burgers, fries, tacos and pancakes on the menu, among other things.

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Colonial charm and a crazy party in Granada

Besides León, Granada is another very pleasant city in Nicaragua. Compared to León, Granada is a bit more expansive. Most accommodations are located near the city center in the "downtown," where you'll find many (secondhand) shops and stalls. A new boulevard with many restaurants runs from the central square to the waterfront.

Where to stay?

Hostel De Boca en Boca

We'd heard good things about this hostel from other backpackers. You can relax in a hammock in the courtyard, and it seems like it's easy to meet people here.

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Hostel Oasis

We thought this was the nicest hostel in Central America. The rooms were a bit warm (as in most hostels in Granada), but the fan provided plenty of cooling. Breakfast, including pancakes, is served in the morning. There's a cozy bar and several seating areas, making it easy to meet people. During the day, you can relax by the pool.

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Things to do in Granada

If you're in Granada, don't miss the famous Treehouse Jungle Rave on Friday nights. It's a unique party, held in the treehouses of The Treehouse Hostel. You can also take several day trips from Granada. A recommended visit is the active Masaya volcano, where you can see lava, followed by a refreshing dip in the clear waters of Laguna de Apoyo crater lake.

Volcano adventures and beautiful nature on Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is truly unique because it's an island in Lake Cociboca with two volcanoes: Concepción and Maderas. One volcano is active, and the other has a volcanic lake in its crater. Ometepe therefore means "two mountains."

Where to stay?

There are several areas on Ometepe. Most backpackers stay in Balgüe or Moyogalpa. Moyogalpa has more accommodations and restaurants, but Balgüe is relatively closer to the island's attractions. Check beforehand which one you prefer.

Café Campestre

You can get some truly fantastic food here. We ate here several times during our visit to Ometepe (as did many other backpackers). The curries are truly delicious! The restaurant is located in the Balgüe area.

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Things to do on Ometepe

The island is perfect for exploring by scooter or quad bike. The routes through the green landscape are beautiful, and you might encounter various animals along the way, such as cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and dogs. The roads are partly flat and partly rough, resulting in a variety of landscapes.

In the center of the island, there's a swamp where caimans swim. You can also rent kayaks here to see the animals up close. Another fun activity is visiting the San Ramón waterfall. It's located on the volcano on the far right, Maderas. You can reach it partly by scooter or quad bike, but at some point, you'll have to hike and climb the rest of the way. A landslide has made the hike a bit more challenging, requiring some rope access. After an hour, you'll be rewarded with the waterfall and very cool water. Along the way, you can spot blue butterflies, monkeys, and birds.

Surfing and partying in San Juan del Sur

San Juan Del Sur is a popular surfing village located on the Pacific Ocean in southern Nicaragua.

Where to stay?

Please note that for some accommodations in the north you will have to take a detour along the road or walk through the water via the beach to reach the accommodation.

Surf Town Hostel

A cozy hostel with a pool and a rooftop terrace, perfect for relaxing. The hostel is located just south of the city center. The beach is also close by, about a ten-minute walk.

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Things to do in San Juan del Sur

The tourist town, which doesn't have its own suitable surfing beach, is primarily used as a base for exploring the many nearby surf beaches. The village is therefore all about surfing: in the shops you'll find flip-flops, bikinis, and other beach-themed items. Booking a surfing lesson at Alex's Surf School is highly recommended. You'll receive lessons from enthusiastic instructors in a small group.

La Reina del Sur

If you want to enjoy delicious traditional food at a reasonable price, La Reina is the right place for you.

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On Sundays, all the backpackers in San Juan Del Sur gather for the well-known weekly pub crawl: Sunday Funday. This popular activity guides travelers to four bars and hostels in San Juan. It's a fun party with beer pong, music, sun, and swimming pools.

When in San Juan, a visit to the famous Cristo de La Misericordia viewpoint is a must. From San Juan Beach, you can see this statue and its accompanying viewpoint. To reach the statue, you first have to walk along the beach (including a walk across the water) and then make a short, steep climb to the viewpoint. This attraction is especially popular at sunset. The view of the water and San Juan Del Sur Beach is breathtaking.

Whether you're looking for culture, nature, adventure, or partying, Nicaragua has it all!

Useful information

• Official language: Spanish

• Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (C$)

• Area: 130,373 km²

• Best time to travel: The best time to travel to Nicaragua is from December to April. This is the dry season. April and May can be very hot in this country.