Nicaragua travel guide

Luscious, lava and littoral sums up Nicaragua quite neatly. This is no longer a "poor man's Costa Rica", it's a warm and welcoming country with two coasts, paradise islands, 19 active volcanoes - and a fraction of the visitors of its southern neighbour. Take a look at our interactive map to discover Central America's vastest lake, crystalline calderas, howler monkeys and hummingbirds, and the exquisite Pueblos Blancos - filled with skilled artisans.

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Nicaragua travel guide

Nicaragua is on fire right now. For many years it was considered a poor man’s Costa Rica, but it is now firing on all cylinders in terms of tourism, as investment in infrastructure, from hotels to homestays, islands to national parks, make their own unique mark on the Central American map of adventure travel. A fiery country by nature, given its 19 active volcanoes from Masaya to Mombacho, guided hikes of these sizzling peaks by day and night are highlights of any Nicaraguan vacation. And although Nicaragua has a fiery history, these days it’s more about revelations than revolutions.

To sum up Nicaragua, think luscious, lava and littoral and you got it. And loving too – because Nicaraguans have warm, open hearts, homes and boy do they love to party.

Lake Nicaragua has over 300 islands. You can surf off the Pacific coast. It has paradise Pacific Islands called the Corn Islands. And the food? Nicaraguans bring out the banquets for any occasion. And the music, and the rum, Flor de Caña – the best way to toast and taste real Nicaraguan fieriness. Read on in our Nicaragua travel guide.

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Nicaragua is...

a relative tourism newbie. But it has made a big, colourful entrance.

Nicaragua is/isn't...

a cheap Costa Rica or a budget Belize. It oozes its own special eco cool.

Things to do in Nicaragua…

Discover Nicaragua’s culture, not only by touring the Spanish colonial beauty spots of León or Granada but also by going on a locally run vacation that takes you to the country’s heart on food or photography tours, or to meet the artisans living in the historically important Pueblos Blancos villages in the hills around Masaya. Nicaragua is a country that loves to live, and the adventure vacations on offer capture a real sense of that. Try yoga in the Matagalpa Mountains, wildlife expeditions to Lake Nicaragua’s Las Isletas, or river canoeing from there to the jungle lined San Juan River, all the way to the Caribbean. Where the deliciously Creolian, Corn Islands await. Make Nicaragua part of a Central American road trip – usually with a small group tour taking in not only Nicaragua but also Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and in some cases El Salvador, even newer to tourism than Nicaragua. You can also go overland by bike, from pretty pueblos to the Pacific, volcanoes to voluptuous islands.

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Things not to do in Nicaragua…

If you are over 40 you might still associate Nicaragua with revolution, guerilla warfare and contras, which were very much part of the Nicaraguan vocabulary for many years. They also ended many years ago – 1990 to be precise. The year the Berlin Wall started to be demolished, if that helps put it in perspective.

Think that Nicaragua is a grown up vacation. Nicaragua is perfect for niños. Not only is family life at the heart of Nicaraguan culture, beach life, food life and music, it is great value too.

Go hiking alone in the volcanic regions. Many are still active, and you need the assistance of expert guides.

Worry about spending too much time in the capital, Managua. Head straight to the traditional towns like Matagalpa or Masaya, or the latter’s national park for a fiery, fulfilling start to your trip.