Things to do in Nicaragua

Hike up the active black cinder cone near León, then strap on a board and race down its steep ashen slopes at thrilling speeds.

Ascend the narrow spiral stairs of this yellow Baroque church to a rooftop panorama of terracotta roofs, Lake Nicaragua, and the Mombacho Volcano at dusk.

Witness the glowing molten crater of Santiago, where bursts of incandescent lava illuminate the night sky in a primordial spectacle, with the smell of sulfur thick in the air.

Paddle through an archipelago of tiny tropical islands formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, spotting monkeys, tropical birds, and lakeside mansions.

Trek through lush cloud forest on the slopes of Volcán Maderas to reach a towering cascade that crashes into a cool, swimmable pool.

Disconnect completely on this car-free Caribbean island, snorkeling off pristine beaches, eating grilled lobster in thatched-roof huts, and swinging in hammocks under coconut palms.

Hike, swim, and jump off rocks into crystalline water as sheer limestone walls rise 150 meters on either side in this dramatic, remote gorge.

Walk through misty coffee plantations, learn the bean-to-cup process, and sample freshly roasted single-origin brews in the cool mountain air.

Visit the largest cathedral in Central America, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk on its vast rooftop with dome vistas of volcanoes.

Surf consistent reef and beach breaks in a laid-back cove backed by jungle, perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers, with beach bonfires at sunset.

Wander past pastel-coloured colonial mansions, visit the San Francisco Convent museum with pre-Columbian statues, and soak up the city’s languid charm.

Explore this 17th-century Spanish fort that guarded against pirate attacks, offering sweeping river views and a museum of colonial weaponry.

From July to January, thousands of olive ridley turtles crawl ashore at night to lay eggs on a protected beach, a mesmerising natural ritual.

Hike past fumaroles and ancient lava flows to a 120-metre-deep smoking vent, with a chance to witness fiery red glows after sunset.

Take a short boat ride from Ometepe to a tiny island covered in enigmatic rock carvings left by the indigenous Chorotega people.

Ride a ferry or private boat across Central America’s largest lake as the perfect conical silhouettes of Concepción and Maderas dominate the horizon.

Dig into the national dish of rice and beans at a steaming stall inside Mercado Roberto Huembes, surrounded by the bustle of local shoppers.

Fly on a series of cables across misty tree tops and ravines, with glimpses of orchids, howler monkeys, and the immense Lake Nicaragua below.

Lose yourself in a labyrinth of stalls selling handmade hammocks, leatherwork, and vibrant wood carvings, the air heavy with the scent of cedar.

Float in the warm, mineral-rich turquoise water of this 200-metre-deep caldera, encircled by lush forest teeming with birds and butterflies.

If you visit in May, dance to lively Afro-Caribbean drumming and brass bands in the streets of Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast during this exuberant spring festival.

Walk through the city to see walls covered in vivid political murals depicting Nicaragua’s revolutionary history, from Sandino to the FSLN.

Paddle in natural thermal pools surrounded by bubbling mud fields at the base of Telica Volcano, a soothing break amid volcanic landscapes.

Tackle a challenging, steep climb up Nicaragua’s second-highest volcano, rewarded with a 360° panorama of the island, lake, and distant Pacific.

Walk among the excavated foundations of the original 16th-century León, abandoned after earthquakes and preserved in volcanic ash for centuries.