Things to do in Nicaragua

25 things to do in Nicaragua

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Volcano board down the ash slopes of Cerro Negro

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

  León

• Climb the bell tower of La Merced for sunset over Granada

  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.

  Granada

• Gaze into the lava lake of Masaya Volcano after dark

  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.

  Masaya

• Kayak among the Isletas de Granada

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

  Granada

• Hike to San Ramón waterfall on Ometepe Island

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

  Ometepe Island

• Unwind on the white sands of Little Corn Island

  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.

  Corn Islands

• Float through the turquoise pools of Somoto Canyon

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

  Somoto

• Tour a shade-grown coffee finca in the Matagalpa highlands

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

  Matagalpa

• Admire the whitewashed baroque splendor of León Cathedral

  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.

  León

• Catch waves at Playa Maderas near San Juan del Sur

  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.

  San Juan del Sur

• Stroll the cobbled streets and museums of colonial Granada

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

  Granada

• Visit the Fortress of the Immaculate Conception on the Río San Juan

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

  El Castillo

• Watch nesting sea turtles at La Flor Wildlife Refuge

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

  Rivas

• Peer into the steaming crater of Telica Volcano

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

  León

• Search for pre-Columbian petroglyphs on Isla El Muerto

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

  Ometepe Island

• Cruise Lake Nicaragua with views of two volcanoes

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

  Ometepe Island

• Sample authentic gallo pinto at Managua’s mercado

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

  Managua

• Zipline through the cloud forest canopy of Mombacho Volcano

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

  Granada

• Browse artisan crafts at the Masaya Market

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

  Masaya

• Swim in the volcanic crater lake of Laguna de Apoyo

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

  Masaya

• Join the rhythmic celebrations of Palo de Mayo in Bluefields

  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.

  Bluefields

• Wander León’s open-air gallery of revolutionary murals

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

  León

• Soak in the geothermal hot springs of San Jacinto

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

  León

• Conquer the summit of Volcán Concepción on Ometepe

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

  Ometepe Island

• Explore the ruins of León Viejo, a UNESCO time capsule

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

  Puerto Momotombo