Nicaragua is a tropical Central American country with beautiful lakes and volcanoes, old colonial architecture, lush rainforests and relaxing Pacific and Caribbean beaches. It is an inexpensive destination with great possibilities for surfing, trekking and ecotourism. Plagued with hurricanes and political problems in the past, Nicaragua is now a booming new destination for affordable tourism.
Exotic Nicaragua is located in Central America between Costa Rica and Honduras and borders both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest and least densely populated of the Central American nations. The culture in most parts of Nicaragua is strongly influenced by Spain. The Pacific coast and the central highlands of Nicaragua are Spanish-speaking while also English and native languages are spoken in the forested Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. While not yet a large tourism destination by international standards, tourism in Nicaragua is booming and it is currently the second largest part of the local economy.
The charming colonial town of Granada is a major tourism attraction for its beautiful Spanish colonial style buildings, the nearby volcano and lakeside beaches. Situated on shore of Lake Nicaragua, you can also make boat trips from Granada to the volcanic fairytale island of Ometepe and the scenic nearby archipelago, or go kayaking or trekking from Granada. The unspoiled Isla de Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua is a peaceful destination for trekking and beach holidays.
Beach destinations. The main beach resort in Nicaragua is San Juan del Sur, situated on the Pacific Coast and offering beaches, picturesque views, fishing and surfing. The Caribbean region of Nicaragua is a remote, wild area with very few roads and plenty of rainforests and rivers, as well as Indigenous and African minority cultures. It is home to several protected areas with great possibilities for trekking and birdwatching. The two Corn Islands (called Islas del Maíz in Spanish) off the coast are small and isolated tropical paradises with white sand beaches and clear water, as well as excellent possibilities for snorkeling and fishing.
Traveling to Nicaragua is done mainly by air or by road. There is an international airport in Managua that receives flights to Nicaragua from the USA and several Latin American countries, and another small one in Granada that receives flights from the neighboring Costa Rica and Honduras. Modern international buses to Nicaragua can be found from several Central American countries. Book the bus tickets well in advance. There are also three river border crossings made by boat.
Once in Nicaragua, the main form of public transport is by bus. Cheap old US school buses ply the roads around the country. There are also minibuses that are faster than buses, as well as domestic flights from Managua to the Caribbean coast and the Corn Islands. Boats are the main form of transport on Lake Nicaragua and along the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.
Exotic Nicaragua is located in Central America between Costa Rica and Honduras and borders both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest and least densely populated of the Central American nations. The culture in most parts of Nicaragua is strongly influenced by Spain. The Pacific coast and the central highlands of Nicaragua are Spanish-speaking while also English and native languages are spoken in the forested Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. While not yet a large tourism destination by international standards, tourism in Nicaragua is booming and it is currently the second largest part of the local economy.
Tourism attractions in Nicaragua: volcanoes, jungles, beaches and colonial history
Nicaragua offers plenty of interesting destinations to visit, as well as a good variety of vacation activities. The capital city Managua is an important transport hub in Nicaragua. It is a modern metropolis with not much historic attractions but has a lively nightlife and beautiful nearby volcanoes and nature parks. The old colonial capital of Nicaragua, León is a major Nicaraguan cultural center with beautiful churches, museums and historic sites, including Spanish colonial architecture and the World Heritage –listed archaeological site of León Viejo.The charming colonial town of Granada is a major tourism attraction for its beautiful Spanish colonial style buildings, the nearby volcano and lakeside beaches. Situated on shore of Lake Nicaragua, you can also make boat trips from Granada to the volcanic fairytale island of Ometepe and the scenic nearby archipelago, or go kayaking or trekking from Granada. The unspoiled Isla de Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua is a peaceful destination for trekking and beach holidays.
Beach destinations. The main beach resort in Nicaragua is San Juan del Sur, situated on the Pacific Coast and offering beaches, picturesque views, fishing and surfing. The Caribbean region of Nicaragua is a remote, wild area with very few roads and plenty of rainforests and rivers, as well as Indigenous and African minority cultures. It is home to several protected areas with great possibilities for trekking and birdwatching. The two Corn Islands (called Islas del Maíz in Spanish) off the coast are small and isolated tropical paradises with white sand beaches and clear water, as well as excellent possibilities for snorkeling and fishing.
Nicaragua travel tips and practical information
The climate of Nicaragua is tropical with distinct regional differences. The coastal areas are warmer than the central highlands of Nicaragua. The Pacific Coast has a hot rainy season from May to November, and a bit cooler dry season from November to April. The best time to visit Nicaragua is from December to March, but if you don’t mind some rain, or dust in April, you can travel to Nicaragua any time. The mountainous interior has less distinct seasons and chilly nights, whereas the hot Caribbean coast of Nicaragua receives some rain throughout the year. The coastal areas receive occasional hurricanes that can cause serious damage.Traveling to Nicaragua is done mainly by air or by road. There is an international airport in Managua that receives flights to Nicaragua from the USA and several Latin American countries, and another small one in Granada that receives flights from the neighboring Costa Rica and Honduras. Modern international buses to Nicaragua can be found from several Central American countries. Book the bus tickets well in advance. There are also three river border crossings made by boat.
Once in Nicaragua, the main form of public transport is by bus. Cheap old US school buses ply the roads around the country. There are also minibuses that are faster than buses, as well as domestic flights from Managua to the Caribbean coast and the Corn Islands. Boats are the main form of transport on Lake Nicaragua and along the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.
Photo: Chach Coati, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There are regular ferries to popular tourists spots on the lake such as Isla Ometepe and Solentinames Islands, as well as from the mainland to Corn Islands. Taxis can be found in all towns and tourist resorts of Nicaragua. Car rental is a popular way to move around in Nicaragua, and bicycle rental is also available.
Wide range of accommodation is available in Nicaragua, from beach resorts, business and luxury hotels to cheap guesthouses and hostels. Coastal hotels in Nicaragua are often sold out around Easter as it is a major holiday season for Nicaraguans. Restaurants can be found in all towns and tourist areas, offering mainly cheap local cuisine. Nightlife is available in Managua as well as in several beach holiday towns along the Pacific coast and around Lake Nicaragua. English is spoken by some locals in the cities and touristic areas, as well as by most people on the Caribbean coast and Corn Islands.
Safety. Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Latin America, but petty crime and some gang-related violence still occurs. Although some areas of Managua are not safe and armed bandits can be found in the remote regions of the Caribbean coast, most parts of Nicaragua are generally safe to travel in. Using common sense, guarding your belongings and avoiding walking alone at night will most likely spare you from any problems.
Short history of Nicaragua
Nicaragua was first inhabited by Indigenous Amerindian people as far as 6,000 years ago. The first European to see Nicaragua was Christopher Columbus who visited the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua in 1502. The Spanish conquistadors tried to conquer the area in 1520 but were attacked by the indigenous people. The first Spanish settlements in Nicaragua, Granada and León were founded in 1524. The Spanish completed their conquest of Nicaragua in 1529 and efficiently destroyed the civilization of the indigenous population. The long colonial era ended in Nicaragua in the early 1800s, as it first became a part of the Mexican Empire and then became independent in 1821 as part of the United Provinces of Central America. The alliance of Central America ended in 1838 and Nicaragua became a republic, soon receiving many immigrants from Europe that started many agricultural and other businesses. The remote Caribbean coast of Nicaragua was colonized by the British from 1655 to 1850. The area was first given to Honduras, and transferred to Nicaragua in 1860.Country in turmoil. US warships invaded the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast in 1909, and US marine forces occupied whole Nicaragua from 1912 to 1933. They were finally driven out by the local national hero Sandino. The long brutal military dictatorship of the Somoza family started from 1937 and finally ended in Sandinista revolution in 1978-1979. Leftist Sandinista party ruled the country from 1979 to 1990, facing economic sanctions from the USA and right-wing Contra guerrilla movement sponsored by the US government. Free elections in 1990 brought the power back to right-wing politicians and peace to the country. Sandinistas returned to power in democratic elections in 2006. Today, Nicaragua is a poor developing country that is slowly recovering from the earlier civil war and the devastating hurricane Mitch that hit the country in 1998.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Managua, Leon, Granada
