Beautiful Nicaragua is called the “country of colonial cities and lakes” or also the “country of volcanoes and lakes”. It offers coffee and tobacco cultivation, Spanish colonial history, active volcanoes as well as a practically untouched rainforest and Caribbean islands. There are so many things to see and do in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua is ideal for those who are looking for a special and authentic experience. It is culturally and naturally diverse with many tourist activities and attractions. Discover Nicaragua, the heart of Central America, on your Nicaragua family vacation or your honeymoon in Nicaragua. Another fantastic way to experience the highlights of Nicaragua with freedom and flexibility is a scenic self-drive tour.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best places to visit in Nicaragua.

Best Things To Do In Nicaragua

1. GRANADA

Nicaragua is richly blessed with original preserved remains of Spanish colonial history. You can find churches, palaces, manor houses, and monasteries in the colonial style of the country.

León and Granada, the two eternally rival colonial cities, offer a particularly imposing selection of historic buildings and districts that can be found around the country.

Granada is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and its well-kept compact old town is a tourist favorite. It is a great introduction to the country and an easy city to wander and explore on foot. Its beautiful churches, colorful buildings, and quaint streets make it a photographer’s dream. Palms rise amidst a sea of red tile roofs against the backdrop of lakeshores and volcanoes. There are baroque and Moorish aesthetic influences interspersed throughout the cityscape.

The surrounding natural beauty has also inspired artists, poets, and writers well before the Spanish founded it in 1524. Combine these charming features with the relaxed air of the Nicaraguan people – one of the happiest in the world – and you have quite possibly the most laid-back and accessible city in Central America, fully imbued with color and culture.

2. LAS ISLETAS DE GRANADA

While in Granada, make sure to also include a visit to Las Isletas or Islets of Granada. They are located within Lake Nicaragua and are more than 25,000 years old. The islands were initially formed from the ash and stones of the Mombacho volcano.

Lake Nicaragua, Central America’s largest lake, is home to an archipelago of 365 islands. Formed by the eruption of Mombacho Volcano, the Islets of Granada include uninhabited isles, traditional fishing villages, private residences, and luxurious resorts.

3. LAGUNA DE APOYO

Nicaragua is famous for its lakes and Laguna de Apoyo is a must-visit.

Laguna de Apoyo is a clean, blue, and thermally vented 18-square mile body of water contained inside the crater of the Apoyo Volcano (think big warm clean lake!). Laguna de Apoyo is one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful natural wonders and a great place to vacation. For anyone traveling through Nicaragua, it definitely is one of the best things to do in Nicaragua and should not be missed.

Here you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or admire the beautiful landscape around you on an eco-friendly boat tour! I recommend staying at one of the beautiful boutique hotels along the lake rather than visiting the lagoon on a day trip or tour.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN NICARAGUA

4. MASAYA VOLCANO

Masaya Volcano is one of Nicaragua’s top places to visit and an easy day trip from Granada.

The most amazing part about visiting this active volcano is how close you can get to the lip of the crater. You can simply drive up to the edge and park. Looking down into the crater, you can see a lake of molten lava.

Visit after dark to see the glow the bubbling lava creates inside the pit. If you visit during the day, there is a visitor center on-site, as well as picnic facilities.

5. LEON

The west-coast city of León boasts many fascinating attractions. The Cathedral of León, also known as La Catedral del Espíritu Santo, is a beautiful church that was constructed in the late 17th century. It is framed by a number of dazzling baroque and rococo structures. Nearby, the ruins of León Viejo are located; remnants of an ancient village built by Spanish colonists in 1523. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

León buzzes with energy, lively and full of young people. It is a university city and in fact, Nicaragua’s first university was founded here in 1912. The city is packed with interesting museums and murals. León served as the capital of Nicaragua during colonial times.

6. CERRO NEGRO VOLCANO

Another volcano experience, geared more towards adventure junkies, awaits you at Cerro Negro near Leon.

Here you can volcano-board down Nicaragua’s youngest volcano. It is one of the most popular things to do in Nicaragua and you will need to book a tour to partake. It is also a unique tourism scenario providing a stunning natural setting, the opportunity to hike an active cone and see its crater, and canopy lines available for visitors.

The steep slopes of this black volcano lack any vegetation. On and around the volcano lies a big layer of volcanic ash and rocks. An eruption in 1999 has left a wide border of black, volcanic material around the Cerro Negro and there are two smaller craters right next to the volcano which were recently formed.

 7. ESTELI

This charming town lies in a valley at an altitude of 2,500 feet in the northeast of Nicaragua. It is surrounded by mountains, in a beautiful natural area. Here, mass tourism is still far away and you can immerse yourself in the real Nicaraguan way of life.

Estelí is Nicaragua’s agriculture centre. In this region, a lot of (organic) vegetables and fruit are being produced, but also crops like tobacco. You can visit a tobacco plantation or one of the cigar factories where high-quality cigars are being produced.

Other activities include hiking, waterfalls, lakes, or canyoning. There’s a lot to see and do.

8. ISLA OMETEPE

Isla Ometepe is in Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America. The island has not one but two volcanos, both of which can be climbed.

Maderas is the volcano in the south of Ometepe, and it is less active than the Concepcion volcano in the north. The hike to the summit of Maderas takes you to a beautiful crater lake. There is also an impressive waterfall at the base.

The island is also popular for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking the Istian River. The natural Ojo de Agua pool is a great way to spend a few hours cooling off.  You can also just relax on the white sands of Santo Domingo beach.

Accommodation on the island is often on a finca or eco-hotel. Make sure to include Ometepe Island on your list of things to do in Nicaragua and spend at least 2, better 3, nights here!

9. EMERALD COAST

On the southwest coast of Nicaragua, San Juan Del Sur has always been the main tourist destination, but more and more people are now also adding the Emerald Coast and Popoyo to their to-do list while visiting Nicaragua. 

The once-sleepy Emerald Coast of Nicaragua has now awakened, with the rapid advance of tourism due to a newly paved highway, the opening of the Costa Esmeralda Airport, and a variety of golf courses and new upscale resorts.

The Emerald Coast is the 20-mile stretch of coastline between the towns of Tola and Astillero to the north which is the furthest city on the coast in the Rivas province. The area’s main tourism comes from surfers as this region houses the best waves in Nicaragua, including Playa Colorado and Popoyo.

10. SAN JUAN DEL SUR

Nicaragua is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America. San Juan del Sur, located on the Pacific Coast, has one of the best. The town is a great base for tourists looking to explore the area’s natural beauty and rich history.

What used to be a fishing village has developed into a bigger place that is well geared to tourism, with lots of accommodations and restaurants and vibrant nightlife.

San Juan del Sur is a favorite of surfers (try a surf lesson!) and backpackers and is also a great place to catch a wonderful Pacific sunset – definitely one of the top things to do in Nicaragua.

If you find San Juan del Sur too busy, then located along a bumpy dirt road just twenty minutes north of San Juan del Sur, Playa Maderas makes a fantastic alternative.

11. LITTLE CORN ISLAND (MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!)

If you are looking for calm waters and white sand beaches, head to the Corn Islands on the Caribbean Coast.  You will need to catch a flight from Managua to access these pristine and remote islands. From Big Corn Island you take a ferry to Little Corn Island but trust me, the effort is worth it!

Little Corn is tiny, only 500 people live on this small island where there are no cars and which is a real jewel for diving enthusiasts.

Life is slow in the Corn Islands: just relax, snorkel, dive, lay at the beach, eat some amazing seafood and feel in paradise. A week will quickly slip by as you relax and unwind and explore its underwater pleasures.

Check out our Caribbean Honeymoon in Nicaragua for more details on the islands and an amazing boutique hotel.

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 Conclusion:

Beautiful Nicaragua embraces travelers with offerings of volcanic landscapes, colonial architecture, and sensational beaches. There are just so many things to do in Nicaragua. Come and visit the heart of Central America for yourself!

Get in touch with us today to plan your family vacation, romantic getaway, or honeymoon, to Nicaragua. Let us work on a unique itinerary that combines many of the best things to do in Nicaragua with some of the beautiful lodges the country has to offer.

We’d love to organize a unique and once-in-a-lifetime vacation for you. Ask us for a free quote and you could be on your way very soon.

Have you been to Nicaragua? How was your experience? What were your favorite things to do?

Let us know in the comments.

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