Highlights of nicaragua

Top Places to see and be in Nicaragua

Ometepe Island is of course our number 1 spot- but we’re biased, we based ourselves here! Check out why in this link.

For the rest of the Nicaraguan highlights…

The Pacific Beaches are a sight to behold and a perfect combo for a short visit to Nicaragua; whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or the perfect wave and some lively company overlooking a fabulous sunset with a cocktail in hand, there’s a spot for you somewhere along the coast. For the surf addicts out there 300+ days of offshore winds throughout the year promise you a good time.

Ask about our surf & jungle combo package.

There are cities to explore too, if you’d like something more varied than the beach scene: Leon, Esteli and Granada are all very walkable cities. If you head to Managua you’ll likely be taking taxis everywhere, its not a fun city to drive in and is very spread out. There’s no real center, nor reason for most tourists to visit.

Or head somewhere more relaxed and explore the history, geography and carribean culture in the lesser explored eastern side.

Lakes

Nicaragua has two large freshwater lakes, Lake Cocibolca and Lake Xolotlán, commonly called Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua, respectively.

Lake Cocibolca, often referred to as Mar Dulce, is the largest lake in Central America, is just slightly smaller than lake Titicaca in South America. It’s of tectonic origin and has an area of 8,264 km2: The Spanish believed for a long time that it was a sea due to its waves and expanse. It’s known for its vivid storms and lightning shows.

It’s almost at sea level and there are theories it used to be part of the pacific ocean, based on the variety of typically saltwater species populate it. There are sawfish, tarpones, swordfish and gaspar fish and even bull sharks in there. At one stage researchers believed that the bull shark were endemic to the lake, but tagging and tracking has shown that the sharks come in and out of the lake via Rio San Juan, sometimes entering for just a few days. This has lead to the idea that the lake is a nursery for them.

The lake is joined to the Atlantic via the San Juan river basin. It has many islets (300-400) and the volcanic islands of Ometepe and Zapatera, plus the islands of Soltiname, an archipelago at the southern end. You can take boat tours to most of the islands and isletas, they have diverse flora and fauna. See more facts about the lake here!

Volcanoes

San Cristóbal, around 10km from Chinandega as the crow flies, is the tallest volcano in Nicaragua (at around 1750 meters) with dramatic views and active fumaroles, its a rugged climb.

Concepción is the second tallest volcano in Nicaragua, at 1600 mts. It’s a symmetric stratovolcano on Ometepe Island; paired with Maderas in the same lake, Lago Cocibolca.

Maderas volcano is the more eroded twin of Concepcion, with a cloud-forest crater lake at the summit and archaeological sites to explore all around. Guide required. Trail starts right at Selvista.

Telica, just outside of Leon, is known for its frequent low-to-moderate activity and easily observable fumarolic activity. Chance to experience sunset up there if you camp overnight. Telica offers crater views with accessible day hikes from Leon.

Cerro Negro is the young, black-ash volcano near León — famous for volcano boarding. There’s a short but steep climb on dark volcanic sand, followed by an exhilarating board or sled ride back down. It’s perfect for: thrill-seekers and photographers capturing stark, lunar-like landscapes. As could be assumed, sliding down a volcano at 40km/h its not without its safety risks: if you choose to partake then use a reputable operator with protective gear and follow their instructions (most injuries come from trying to brake with your feet).

Massaya is the volcano between Granada and Managua, an easy ride from either city. The trails are open in the day time, and after dark you can ride up to the crater area in a vehicle (no access on foot) and look down into the glow of the flowing lava below.

Momotombo stands at 1,297 meters, on the shores of Lake Xolotlán. A classic conical volcano overlooking the city of León, it is historically active with major eruptions in recorded times.

Mombacho (1,344 m) is a heavily forested, extinct stratovolcano very close to Granada and Catarina, with a protected cloud-forest reserve and hanging trails. There are trails at the top that you can do with guides and one unguided walk.

Cosigüina was created by a massive 19th-century explosive eruption (1835) that formed a large crater and shaped recent regional history.

Zapatera is a shield volcano, which is formed from the loose spread of low viscosity lava, making a low dome shaped volcano. They most commonly occur in water, creating islands.

Apoyo, known commonly as Laguna de Apoyo, is accessible by vehicle. A scenic caldera that formed in a major collapse is now a clear crater lake and protected natural reserve. There are many places to stay the night around the crater lagoon edge, or spend a few hours here on the way from Ometepe to Granada, for example. Most spots have a minimum bar spend of around $10 pp to enjoy their facilities.

These are the most popular of the 19 volcanoes that Nicaragua boasts for its place on the ring of fire, which connects Chile to Japan, the Phillipines and New Zealand.

Lakes and volcanoes make a perfect pair, leading to biodiversity: wetlands, freshwater habitats, cloud forests and volcanic soils combine to support abundant birdlife, orchids, monkeys and other wildlife.

The combo means that there are plenty of activities: boat tours, kayaking, paddleboarding, island-hopping, crater viewpoints, day hikes to crater lagoons and active volcano craters, multi-day treks, cultural visits to lakeside communities and thrill sports like volcano boarding.

The perfect place to visit for photographers golden-hour lake reflections, symmetrical volcanic cones, crater glow and mossy cloud forests provide endless postcard moments.

The most popular time to visit is the dry season (November–April). It’s ideal for hikes and boat trips; Our favorite is the green, lush landscape in the rainy season (May–October): expect afternoon storms and muddy trails.

Read an overview of Nicaragua for travellers by @JillonJourney

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