Situated in the Tropic of Cancer, Nicaragua boasts warm sunny weather year-round. But, despite this perpetual viability as a travel destination, Nicaragua does feature a very distinct wet and dry season that offers two different sets of experiences. Generally, the best time to visit Nicaragua is during the northern tropics’ dry season, which occurs between November and April.
But, while these dry months feature the country’s most idyllic weather conditions, there are still many benefits of travelling during the off-season. Keep reading for a complete analysis of the best time to visit Nicaragua and discover which month best suits your visit to the most underrated backpacking spot in Central America.
Weather Patterns in Nicaragua
As a tropical destination, Nicaragua features two distinct seasons; the dry and wet seasons. For optimal weather conditions, the best time to visit Nicaragua is between November and April. These dry months offer plenty of sunshine and cooler temperatures, perfect for exploring the breadth of the country.
Nicaragua’s wet season starts in May and lasts until the end of October. Despite this, the country remains a spectacular destination to travel to throughout most of the season. In fact, the countryside reaches its maximum beauty during this time, with the increased rainfalls adding to the lush overgrowth of Nicaragua’s natural attractions.
With that said, travellers should avoid visiting Nicaragua in either September or October. During these two months of the year, the country experiences most of its rainfall, and visitors are subject to increased chances of being caught in a tropical storm. These poor weather conditions are especially true for the Corn Islands and destinations along the Caribbean coast.
Average Monthly Precipitation in Nicaragua
Leon | Granada | San Juan del Sur | Corn Islands | |
January | 0.8mm | 1.0mm | 0.9mm | 34.6mm |
February | 3.1mm | 2.7mm | 1.7mm | 15.6mm |
March | 4.9mm | 3.2mm | 2.7mm | 6.3mm |
April | 17.1mm | 13.7mm | 13.8mm | 19.6mm |
May | 106.8mm | 91.4mm | 99.4mm | 124.4mm |
June | 142.1mm | 120.9mm | 129.1mm | 234.0mm |
July | 76.5mm | 68.0mm | 77.8mm | 237.1mm |
August | 104.8mm | 92.9mm | 107.9mm | 205.8mm |
September | 182.4mm | 165.0mm | 180.6mm | 220.2mm |
October | 149.9mm | 149.4mm | 168.0mm | 256.2mm |
November | 38.0mm | 45.1mm | 53.7mm | 190.6mm |
December | 6.8mm | 7.9mm | 9.0mm | 86.0mm |
As a country that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific, Nicaragua is divided into two geographical regions that follow the same seasons but experience vastly different amounts of rainfall.
Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast features very limited monthly rainfalls during the dry season. January to March is the region’s driest months, with monthly rains amounting to less than an inch occurring sporadically throughout the day.
The wet season along the Pacific Coast is still much drier than in destinations on the other side of the country. September and October experience the most rainfall but experience decreased chances of being caught in a hurricane than on the country’s Caribbean side.
On the other hand, Nicaragua’s Caribbean destinations experience far more rainfalls than the Pacific. In fact, in these destinations, the country’s wet season lasts an additional two months and spans into November and December, with 15 inches of rain occurring over 22 days in both months. As a result, the best time to visit Nicaragua’s Caribbean destinations is February to April.
Average Monthly Temperatures in Nicaragua
Leon | Granada | San Juan del Sur | Corn Islands | |
January | 28°C | 26°C | 26°C | 27°C |
February | 28°C | 27°C | 26°C | 27°C |
March | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C |
April | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C |
May | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C |
June | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C |
July | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
August | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
September | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
October | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
November | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
December | 28°C | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C |
Nicaragua is a country with consistent temperatures with very little fluctuation throughout the year. However, like the average precipitation, temperatures vary between the country’s geographical zones. For example, in Nicaragua’s Pacific destinations, the country experiences year-round hot temperatures, with monthly highs ranging from 86 °F to 90 °F in San Juan del Sur.
Conversely, Nicaragua’s Caribbean destinations are still very warm compared to other destinations in the world. With that said, temperatures are slightly cooler, with monthly highs ranging from 82 °F to 88 °F in Bluefields.
Annual Tourism Volume in Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a heavily under travelled destination compared to other Central American countries. As a result, the country’s many attractions rarely experience the same kinds of crowding, even during their peak season.
In 2019, Nicaragua hosted approximately 1.4 million tourists. While the country’s tourism has been in a steep reduction since the COVID-19 Pandemic first broke, their 2019 volume was already in decline from their record 2017 year, in which they hosted approximately 1.96 international tourists.
Nicaragua is a country perfect for those that like to venture off the beaten path. For an even more culturally immersive experience, be sure to visit during the country’s off-season.
Advantages of Travelling Nicaragua in the Off-Season
Nicaragua is a highly affordable backpacking destination, made even more so when visited during the country’s off-season. With most tourists opting to visit during the country’s dry months, the off-season in Nicaragua spans from May until October. Visiting during this time may result in increased rainfall, but it also comes with less crowding and frequently lower rates for tours and accommodations.
While travelling to Nicaragua in September or October is not suggested, these months do see far fewer tourists and the lowest possible rates. Therefore, those willing to venture into these months will be rewarded with an inexpensive trip touring Nicaragua virtually free of other tourists.
Seasonal Festivals in Nicaragua
There is nothing more culturally immersive than visiting a country during one of its local festivals. Luckily, Nicaragua features many celebrations throughout the year. The best time to visit Nicaragua for this type of experience is during one of the country’s most popular gatherings, which are featured below.
February 1-8— Fiestas Patronales Virgin Candelaria— Diriomo.
March / April— Easter Celebrations— Countrywide
May 1-30— May Pole Dance Festival— Bluefields,
July 19— Anniversary of the Nicaraguan Revolution Liberation Day— Countrywide
Sept-Oct-Nov— Fiestas Patronales and Popular Carnival— San Jerónimo. Masaya
October— Beer Festival October Fest— Selva Negra, Matagalpa
November 2— Day of the Dead— Countrywide
Check out this list of festivals featured on Nicaragua’s official tourism website for a complete list of annual celebrations. And don’t forget to read my full Nicaragua Travel Guide for more tips and tricks to visiting Central America’s most underrated country.