Nicaragua, located in the heart of Central America, is noted for its impressive geography, which includes mountains, lakes, valleys, beaches and volcanoes. The country is divided into three main regions: the Pacific coast, with its majestic volcanoes and beaches; the central zone, characterised by its fertile lands and mountains; and the Caribbean coast, with lush jungles and unspoilt coastline. Among these diverse landscapes are Nicaragua’s majestic Nature Reserves, which comprise 71 protected areas, offering a rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems.
Nature Reserves of Nicaragua are havens for an amazing variety of flora and fauna, offering the opportunity to explore active volcanoes, such as Masaya and Mombacho, or to venture deep into the rainforest of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve. If you are a nature enthusiast, enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or bird watching, and are interested in environmental conservation and ecotourism, you will find Nicaragua’s Nature Reserves the ideal place to spend a dream holiday. In this post we make a selection of some you should visit on your trip.
Which Nature Reserves to visit on a trip to Nicaragua?
1. Masaya Volcano National Park, one of the nature reserves of Nicaragua
The Masaya Volcano National Park is Nicaragua’s first and largest national park, established in 1979. The park, located just 20km from Nicaragua’s capital, is famous for its impressive volcanic landscape, with the Masaya volcano as its main attraction. With five craters, the most notable is the Santiago crater, which reaches a height of 635 metres.
One of the main activities, and certainly the most fascinating, is being able to watch the volcanic activity of an active volcano up close. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to peer into the Santiago crater, which constantly emits gases and sometimes displays incandescent lava. This experience is especially impressive at night, when the volcanic activity is best appreciated.
The park offers well-marked and accessible hiking trails, spectacular viewpoints, and a visitor centre with educational exhibits on geology and volcanology. This place not only provides an amazing natural experience, but also a fascinating insight into the volcanic activity in the region.
2. Cerro Apante
If you are going to visit the city of Matagalpa and you are a nature lover, you can’t miss one of the most impressive nature reserves in Nicaragua: Cerro Apante.
The reserve is located just 3 km from Matagalpa and offers a 2-hour hike to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the green landscape of Matagalpa. You can visit Cerro Apante on your own, but if you prefer, you can hire a local guide who will provide the details of the hike and help you recognise different special local fauna and flora. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the valley and the Montaña de la Paz monument, a 33-metre cross representing the earthly years lived by Jesus. Put on your hiking shoes and enjoy the trail to Cerro Apante, you won’t regret it! After the visit, you can take the opportunity to get to know the interesting Matagalpa, one of the largest cities in Nicaragua with a long coffee tradition.
3. Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, one of the best-preserved nature reserves in Nicaragua
One of the best-preserved nature reserves in Nicaragua is the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, located in the southeast of the country on the banks of the San Juan River and home to an enormous variety of jungle biodiversity.
With an area of 3,180km², this reserve is a true natural treasure. Although most of the reserve is protected and cannot be explored, the areas that can be visited are well worth a visit for their natural richness. It is essential to visit with a guide who can take you on two routes: one of 2 km and the other of 3.5 km, depending on your preferences and the time you wish to spend on the excursion. During the tour, you will learn about the fauna and flora of the rainforest, including animals such as jaguars, manatees, ocelots and plants such as the mountain almond tree and the burning lips plant. Another fascinating experience is to cruise down the river, exploring the environment from a unique perspective.
4. Maderas Volcano Nature Reserve
One of the most spectacular natural sites to visit in Nicaragua are the volcanoes located on Ometepe Island. The highest volcano is the Concepción Volcano, at 1,610 metres high, and climbing its slopes and reaching its summit is a magnificent experience, with its spectacular views of Lake Cocibolca. However, if you’re interested in Nicaragua’s Nature Reserves and you’re visiting Ometepe Island, we recommend a visit to the Maderas Volcano Nature Reserve, the island’s second highest volcano at 1,394 metres.
This extinct volcano is covered by dense rainforest that is home to a variety of plants and animals, including howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys and exotic birds. Hiking up the volcano and exploring the reserve takes about 5 hours. And, as with the previous hike, it requires an official guide. The reward at the top is a beautiful crater lake surrounded by lush cloud forest. In addition, the views from the viewpoint of Maderas volcano are breathtaking. They offer a unique perspective of the island and the lake, making it well worth the effort.
5. Charco Verde Nature Reserve
The last of the nature reserves in Nicaragua that we would like to recommend is also located on the island of Ometepe and is the Charco Verde Nature Reserve. Not only is it one of the most spectacular natural spaces in Nicaragua, but also, touring it is one of the best activities you can do on this volcanic island.
Following the trail will take you into a natural paradise, where trails wind through lush tropical forests and culminate in a beautiful turquoise-green lagoon. Along the way, with a bit of luck, you may spot howler monkeys. Or at least hear them, as their loud calls echo through the jungle. At the end of the trail, you’ll arrive at Mirador del Diablo, a vantage point from which you can admire the breathtaking views of the island, the lake and the volcanoes.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
How to get to and around Nicaragua and its nature reserves
The most common way for international travellers is to arrive in Nicaragua via Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, the capital. Once in the country, it’s possible to get around using intercity buses. They cover most of the country and are very cheap, although it’s sometimes necessary to haggle over the price beforehand. Another option is to rent a car for greater flexibility and access to less busy areas, or use the ferry if you want to visit destinations such as Ometepe Island. In the main cities, taxis and mobile app-based transport services such as Aventon or Ray Nicaragua are also good options.
To get to Nicaragua’s Nature Reserves, we recommend to rent a car or hire a guided tour, as many protected areas can be difficult to access by public transport. Hiring a guide, in addition to transport, will provide you with more information and useful tips for your visit.
What to eat in Nicaragua
For many, a fundamental aspect of traveling is getting to know the cuisine of the destinations they visit. If this is your case, Nicaragua will surprise you with its rich and varied culinary offerings. The main ingredients include corn, beans, rice, meats such as beef, pork and chicken, as well as a variety of tropical fruits and seafood. Nicaraguan cuisine is famous for its intense flavours and the use of spices and fresh herbs, such as coriander and achiote, which add a special touch to each dish.
Gastronomic specialities vary according to region. In the Pacific area, the most popular dishes are gallo pinto, nacatamal and vigorón. In the centre and north of the country, indio viejo, sopa de mondongo and tajadas con queso stand out. On the Caribbean coast, rondón, seafood soup and grilled fish are favourites. These delicacies reflect Nicaragua’s cultural and geographic diversity, making its cuisine an essential part of any visit to the country. So, take the opportunity to try it!
What do I need to know before I organise my trip?
- The official currency of Nicaragua is the córdoba.
- Make sure to bring cash, as ATMs can be hard to find on the island. US dollars are accepted in some places.
- Prepare yourself for a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity.
- Take light clothing and sunglasses and something to cover your head. During the rainy season, consider bringing a raincoat or a waterproof poncho.
- Don’t forget to include insect repellent and sunscreen in your luggage.
- Keep your belongings safe at all times, especially in crowded places. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery or large amounts of cash.
- Avoid drinking tap water. Opt for bottled or purified water to avoid gastrointestinal illnesses.
- Consider carrying a first aid kit with basic medicines.
- It is recommended have travel insurance to cover possible medical emergencies.
- The recommended vaccinations for travel to Nicaragua are: Hepatitis A, Tetanus-diphtheria, Triple Viral.
- Mandatory Vaccine: Yellow Fever If travelling from an endemic country.
How to plan an itinerary for Nicaragua and its nature reserves?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspiration from other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips about your trip to Nicaragua and its nature reserves.
- Enjoy Nicaragua’s nature reserves!
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Nature Reserves of Nicaragua
The climate in Nicaragua is tropical in the lowlands, with year-round warm temperatures ranging between 21°C and 32°C. In the northern mountainous regions, the climate is cooler, with temperatures that can drop to as low as 15°C. In nature reserves, the climate can vary: low-lying areas tend to be warmer and more humid, while reserves in mountainous areas have cooler temperatures and may receive more rainfall. For example, reserves on the Caribbean coast tend to be wetter than those on the Pacific coast. We should note that Nicaragua has a dry season (November to April) and a rainy season (May to October).
The best time to travel to Nicaragua and visit its nature reserves is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During these months, the weather is more predictable, with less rainfall and pleasant temperatures, making outdoor activities and access to the reserves easier. This period is ideal for enjoying nature, hiking and exploring the country’s various protected areas without worrying about the heavy rains that characterise the rainy season.
There is a total of 71 natural protected areas in Nicaragua, accounting for 17% of the national territory.
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