Things to see and do on a trip to Nicaragua

Located in an enviable geographical location, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on its shores and Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua is a beautiful country that combines all the essentials to make it the ideal destination for any traveller. If we wanted to make a list of all the things to see in Nicaragua, it would probably go on forever, so here are some of the most representative places in this country, so you don’t have to do the research yourself.

From some of the best beaches in the world, to beautiful colonial cities steeped in history, Nicaragua is a tourist destination worth a visit. Read on and find out for yourself. Plus, we give you some interesting tips about the things to do in Nicaragua and tell you the best way to organize your travel itinerary quickly and easily.

What are the best destinations to see in Nicaragua?

1. Granada, the most beautiful city to see in Nicaragua

Granada is for many people the most beautiful city in Nicaragua and the country’s best tourist destination. That is why it is known as the Gran Sultana. In this beautiful city of colourful colonial architecture and an enormous wealth of culture and heritage, from the simplest detail, such as the cobblestones of its streets, to the grandeur of its Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, it is worth a visit and a stop on your itinerary of places to see in Nicaragua.

The streets are lined with beautiful churches, such as Xalteva, La Merced, San Francisco, Guadalupe and the Chapel of Maria Auxiliadora. All of them are open to the public. From their bell towers, you can see the grandeur of Granada and its natural surroundings. However, the real must-see religious temple is the Cathedral, the symbol of the city. It is located in Parque de Colón and stands out for its particular neoclassical but colourful style.

If you want to know more about this wonderful city, read on Things to see and do on a trip to Granada Nicaragua

2. León

Leon is one of the most culturally rich cities in Nicaragua. And for many years it was home to some of the country’s most renowned poets and artists. It is located just 100 km from the capital of Nicaragua. Although it is often overshadowed by other cities such as Granada, the truth is that more and more tourists are coming to see the charms of this beautiful university city where culture and tradition mix. 

An example of these poets is Rubén Dario, who lived several years of his childhood in León. For this reason, the house where he lived has been preserved and transformed into a house-museum. The original furniture is still in a good state, and photographs and manuscripts of the poet are also on display. In addition, there are many other museums that reveal the great importance of culture in the city. Such as the Museum of the Revolution of León, Nicaragua and the Museum of Legends and Traditions.

However, the real star of León is La Basílica, the largest cathedral in all of Central America. Today it has a title of a World Heritage Site. Its sturdiness has ensured that it has stood the test of time, withstood wars, eruptions and earthquakes.

3. San Juan del Sur, the best beaches to see in Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur is located in the department of Rivas, 15 km from the Costa Rican border. It is a much visited municipality in Nicaragua. Mainly because of its characteristic beaches with extreme waves ideal for surfing and the lively and relaxed atmosphere of the town.

Among its most popular beaches is Playa Maderas. About 20 minutes’ drive from town, it’s considered the best in San Juan del Sur and, by many, the best to see in Nicaragua. Especially by surfers because of its daring waves. In addition, when the tide is low, other interesting activities can be carried out, such as scuba diving, kayaking and wonderful horseback rides along the beach. A unique experience!

Located about 10 km from the centre of San Juan del Sur, is a beach that does justice to its name. It is Paya Hermosa, a natural paradise of white sand of such dimensions that the view is lost in its immensity. It has been taken over by a resort, so there is a $3 entrance fee to enter, which is absolutely worth it to be able to contemplate the beauty of the place.

But of course, beaches aren’t the only thing to see in the Nicaraguan town. San Juan del Sur has other interesting attractions such as its Christ of Mercy and the William Falker Fort.

4. Corn Island, one of the most beautiful destinations to see in Nicaragua

Corn Island is one of the most famous destinations in Nicaragua for its unparalleled beauty and wide biodiversity. It is an archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea, about 70km off the coast of Nicaragua and is made up of two islands: Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island. Big Corn Island has most of the services for travellers and Little Corn Island can only be reached by a boat that leaves twice a day from Big Corn Island.

Big Corn Island offers a variety of interesting activities for visitors, such as hiking and biking inland, hiking to Mount Pleasant Hill and its breathtaking views, but the best thing to do on Corn Island is to enjoy the beaches and seabed. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

All of Corn Island’s beaches are wonderful. If you’re interested in snorkelling  and watching the stunning coral reefs and marine life, you’ll want to visit the eastern beaches: Long Beach and Silver Sand Beach.

5. Managua, what to see in the capital of Nicaragua

Managua, besides being the capital of Nicaragua, is one of the most important and touristic cities in the country for its great historical and cultural legacy. The city has a lot to offer, and is located between lakes, volcanoes and natural parks where you can go hiking and many other activities. Managua is usually the starting point of a trip and many tourists only spend a few hours there, but the capital of Nicaragua is a wonderful city that is well worth a visit to discover how much there is to see.

Among the city’s many attractions, your Managua itinerary should not miss the beautiful Cathedral of Santiago de Managua, a colonial-style cathedral that is one of the symbols of the city and a must-see in Nicaragua. Another of the most interesting stops in the city is the Port of Salvador Allende and the Malecon. The Malecon is the best place to appreciate the views of Lake Managua, plus it has a lively atmosphere with bars and restaurants.

Very close to the capital is another city, Masaya, which is home to one of the most important and representative volcanoes in the country, the Masaya volcano, and one of the seven still active volcanoes in Nicaragua. In the park where it is located you can see two volcanoes, five craters, a volcanological museum and a beautiful lagoon at the foot of Masaya that creates a curious contrast with the mountain.

Find out more in Things to see and do on a trip to Managua, Nicaragua

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.

6. Bluefields, a pretty coastal town to see in Nicaragua

Bluefields is a small Caribbean town of about 3,000 inhabitants that in recent years has become very popular with tourists visiting Nicaragua. It has some of the best beaches in the country, as well as beautiful churches and interesting cultural visits such as the Waiku Gallery and the Bluefields Cultural Museum.

Bluff Beach is Bluefields’ most famous beach, a small island that must be reached by boat. The island is a stunning place where you can find everything from perfectly preserved wild mangroves teeming with wonderful animals such as sloths and toucans, to amenities such as bars and restaurants, as well as water activities such as fishing and sporting activities. There are two options. A public boat from the Bluefields market pier takes about 15 minutes to reach and costs about €1.5. Or you can take a private boat for about €20.

7. Bosawas Biosphere Reserve

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It represents 15% of the Nicaraguan national territory and is divided into two large zones; the buffer zone and the core zone, made up of six protected areas: Bosawas Natural Reserve, Cerro Saslaya National Park, Cerro Cola Blanca Natural Reserve, Banacruz Natural Reserve, Peñas Blancas Massifs and Cerro Kilambé Natural Reserve.

It is worth noting that the reserve is inhabited almost exclusively by the Mayagna and Miskito indigenous groups. They maintain many of their traditional forms of integrated and sustainable management of the ecosystems. The Miskito live mainly along the banks of the Coco River, while the Mayagna live in the central zone of the reserve and along the banks of the Pis-Pis, Waspuk, Bocay and Laku rivers. Their economy is basically subsistence: migratory agriculture, fishing, hunting and gathering.

Activities in the reserve include mountaineering in the Cerro Saslaya National Park, and hiking in the different nature reserves that make up Bosawas.

What should I consider before travelling to Nicaragua?

• You do not need a visa to travel to Nicaragua for less than 90 days.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
• The currency in Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan córdoba (1 NIO = €0.028). However, US dollars are accepted in almost all shops.
• Avoid exchanging currency at airports if you want to avoid high fees.
• Always carry some cash – some shops in Nicaragua don’t accept credit cards.
• Cover yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Keep your travel itinerary with the places you are going to visit in the free Passporter App.
• Be careful with your belongings and follow common sense: don’t expose luxury items and avoid non-touristy areas especially at night.
• Even if you travel to Nicaragua in the dry season, pack an umbrella or mackintosh in your luggage.
• Buy an eSIM to stay connected to the internet and stay in touch with your loved ones at all times.
• Respect the environment and take care of Nicaragua’s natural surroundings.
• Download Passporter to organise your itinerary and find information about places to see in Nicaragua.

How to organize your trip to Nicaragua?

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app. And recommend the best hotels in Nicaragua to other travellers.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Nicaragua