Nicaragua is a heavily under travelled destination when compared to its more popular Central American neighbours. For example, despite being 2.5 times the size of Costa Rica, Nicaragua only attracts half of its southern neighbour’s annual tourism.
But the truth is, Nicaragua is just as beautiful as Costa Rica. And as the largest country in Central America, Nicaragua offers a diverse array of activities and attractions that can’t be experienced anywhere else.
But, with a country so big, it can often be challenging to plan where to begin your trip. And it is nearly impossible to fit everything into a single holiday.
To make your planning more manageable, I have compiled a list of the 9 most essential things to do in Nicaragua. While you may not be able to fit everything into your trip (number 2 is a bit out of the way), this list serves as an excellent foundation to begin planning your itinerary around.
1. Volcano Board Down Cerro Negro
Volcano boarding down the soft sand slopes of Cerro Negro is an absolute must-have experience when visiting Nicaragua. And this is primarily because you simply can’t experience this activity anywhere else in the world.
Translating to “Black Sand,” Cerro Negro is about an hour’s drive east of the northern city of Leon and is one of the most fun things to do in Nicaragua.
Upon arriving at the volcano base, visitors will be guided up the trails with their boards strapped to their backs. The hike will bring you along the windy slopes of the eastern cliffs and alongside a sulphur crater before summiting the volcanic peak.
While the hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding region, the true thrill begins at the summit.
Rocks will be flying everywhere as you and your toboggan jet along the black sands, hitting speeds of up to 93 km/h.
Adrenaline will be pumping as your toboggan finally comes to a slow crashing stop, with a thrill so fresh that it seems pointless to simply head back to your hostel dorm and end the day.
Luckily, if you book with the right tour operator, you will have the time to make the hike and do it all again.
Tip: Avoid booking with Bigfoot hostel. While definitely the largest tour operators in Leon, their tours also include much larger groups. As such, individuals will likely be unable to make the hike a second time around. Instead, try booking with one of the smaller operators located off the main square of Leon.
2. Find an Escape on the Corn Islands
Located in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the Corn Islands can in many ways be considered their own destination separate from the rest of Nicaragua.
There are two corn islands to choose from, Big Corn and Little Corn. On Big Corn Island, Visitors will be welcomed with an idyllic tropical holiday.
Big Corn is far more developed than its smaller island neighbour and includes luxury resorts and fine dining restaurants for a luxury island getaway. But of course, all of this comes with an increased price tag.
On the other hand, Little Corn Island is far more geared toward the backpacker experience. With only a handful of guesthouses and a few restaurants, Little Corn features a more isolated castaway experience for its visitors and is far more affordable for travellers on a budget.
Whether staying on Little Corn or Big Corn, tourists to the islands love the experience for their calm beach vibes, vibrant sea life, and isolation from the excitement of modernity.
With its combination of exotic sea life and relaxing beach vibes, the Corn Islands are some of the top tourist attractions in Nicaragua.
3. Rent a Motorcycle on Isla de Ometepe
Speaking of the castaway experience, the Isla de Ometepe is a fantastic place to disconnect. With very little cellular and internet connection in the centre of lake Nicaragua, visitors to Ometepe will quickly realize that their typical methods of entertainment are inaccessible.
Luckily the island itself offers a myriad of alternatives. And one of the best things to do in Nicaragua, in general, is to rent a motorcycle for a relaxing day touring the island’s lakeside roads.
While bikes are available throughout the island, renting near the docks is the easiest option. I suggest booking with Yazzin’s Motorcycle Rental, but there are several others to choose from.
For those without experience riding a motorcycle, smaller scooters are available that require only a basic driver’s licence. Although, it is important to note that scooters will have difficulty on the dirt roads of the island’s southern loop.
It is manageable, but drive safely.
4. Hike Through Volcan Maderas' Cloud Forrest
Also located in the centre of lake Nicaragua, on the Isla de Ometepe, are two very prominent volcanoes; Concepción and Maderas. Of the two, I recommend taking the Maderas hike.
Firstly, it’s the easier of the two. And even then, it is still a rather rigorous climb up the volcano.
Starting at the bottom, a hired local guide will lead you along the slow weaving paths of the volcano’s base. Along the way, small gaps within the forested foliage present beautifully framed views of Ometepe and Volcan Concepción towering over the opposing side of the island.
As you reach just over the halfway point, you will be engulfed by the volcano’s cloud covering. While this frequent contact with the airborne moisture helps maintain the volcano’s lush beauty, it makes the hike wet, muddy, and somewhat slippery.
After about a 6 to 8-hour hike, visitors to the volcano will begin to summit into the crater. And, unlike most volcano craters, this one features a mist-covered caldera lake.
As you exit the overbrush and enter the plateau, visitors will be presented with one of two displays. Either there will be cloud cover, during which the summit has visibility of only a few feet. Or, the clouds could be clear, and visitors will receive a Panorama of Ometepe and Lake Nicaragua.
However, don’t be too disappointed if there is cloud cover. This additionally misted experience presents a sense of majestic mystery to the lake that feels like it could be right out of a fantasy story. Seriously, I half expected to find Merlin standing by the water’s edge negotiating with the Lady of the Lake for the right to Excalibur.
5. Cliff Jump Off the Gorges of Somoto Canyon
Located along Nicaragua’s northern border with Honduras, Somoto Canyon is a beautifully lush region of the country that’s origins date back approximately 25 million years.
But despite its long existence, the gorge itself was only discovered during modernity in 2004. Since then, this small preserved area of natural history has become a popular destination among researchers and tourists alike.
The canyon offers several activities, from hiking and biking to boating and rock climbing. But, for me, the most quintessential activity of visiting Somoto Canyon is jumping from the gorge cliffs into the crystal clear waters below.
But of course, if heights aren’t your thing, your time is better spent experiencing one of the other activities the canyon offers.
Whatever your excursion to the gorge, tours are best booked from the northern city of Leon. While tours can be booked from as far south as San Juan del Sur, tours from these regions will take several hours to arrive at the destination.
6. Experience World-Class Surf in San Juan del Sur
Along with having the most well-known party scene in Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur is also a world-famous surf destination.
With several beaches lining the nearby coasts, there is a break for surfers of every level. Playa Madera is the perfect beach for consistent, manageable waves for those just learning the ropes. The nearby Alex’s Surf Shop offers lessons for those who require extra guidance to catch their first waves.
For those with more experience, Playa Hermosa offers a break with a far larger set of waves. But be wary. This break is definitely only for those that know what they are doing.
Even if surfing isn’t your thing, visiting these beach destinations still offer a great experience if only to partake in the surf culture. So sit back with a beer, start a beach bonfire, and enjoy the sunset as lines of surfers ride the final waves of the day.
7. Tour the Islets de Granada
To the Southeast of Granada are the 365 volcanic islands that make up the Islets de Granada. While a few islands are inhabited, and a handful even have a small selection of hotels and guesthouses, most of the islands in the chain are deserted and rich in natural beauty.
Amongst the top stops in the hour-long tour are islands that hold old revolutionary fortresses and protected monkey island. While unable to dock on the island, tour boats will pass close by as the capuchin residents excitedly engage with the nearby tourists.
Tours of the island can be booked through several operators near and around the Granada Docks. I recommend booking with Economic Tours Granada Nicaragua.
8. Witness the Lava Flow of Masaya Volcano
Nicaragua is a country of volcanoes. And one of the best things to do in Nicaragua is experience this volcanic culture by witnessing the active volcanic flow of Volcan Masaya.
As the first and largest of Nicaragua’s national protected parks, Volcano Masaya is a sight to behold. The mountain’s protected region is lush and vibrant, with plenty of flora and fauna.
However, the true spectacle of the park is located in the caldera of the volcano’s peak. Masaya is the most volcano in Nicaragua. In fact, it is currently in the process of erupting at the time of writing this article.
And while the volcano is vast, its activity makes it one of the top things to do in Nicaragua. The experience is truly unbelievable as you approach the volcanoes drop and slowly peer over the ledge into the depths of the caldera.
If you time your trip right, you will see the solid slopes of the cliff slowly melting into the liquid magma that is gradually flowing within the volcano’s heart.
Seeing such sizable solid rock forms succumbing to the influence of the sheer heat of the volcano is enough to invoke both fear and respect for the power of nature and will leave tourists with a new and inspired perspective of our primordially evolving world.
9. Tour the Nicaraguan Coffee Country
While not traditionally a part of the “Gringo Trail” that goes through Latin America, a stop within the Nicaraguan coffee country is one of the best things to do for experiencing the country’s culture.
As Nicaragua’s largest export, much of the country’s economy is dependent on this industry, and several coffee plantations can be found littering the countryside.
But, to truly experience Nicaragua’s coffee country, tourists will need to visit the misty mountainous region of Jinotega located towards the country’s northern border.
Responsible for 80% of Nicaragua’s coffee export, Jinotega offers several opportunities for visitors to tour the industry’s production process. While day tours can be booked from nearby cities, the most popular and advantageous method is staying within the region at one of the many eco-lodges located in Jinotega.
Beds in a shared dormitory start at $20/per person at La Bastilla Ecolodge.
Planning a trip to the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes? Check out my comprehensive Nicaragua Travel Guide for more inspiration and insights covering each step of your planning process.