Best time to visit Nicaragua
In Masaya, every Sunday in Oct and Nov, dancers perform El Baile de Negras. Beautiful and skilfully. And masked. Which conceals the fact that they are all men.
There may be peak times to visit, but there is no best time to visit Nicaragua; it has something glorious all year round. The dry season is Nov-April and the wet season May-Oct so generally, it is busier in the former. In the rainy season the Caribbean is wetter than the Pacific, where afternoon showers last an hour or two. Easter week is very busy, but as local people head to the coast or lakes, the towns are empty. Check out Purísima Festival at the beginning of Dec, with fireworks throughout the month and into New Year.
Nicaragua Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
21
31
3
FEB
21
32
1
MAR
22
33
4
APR
23
33
17
MAY
23
32
153
JUN
23
31
291
JUL
23
31
152
AUG
23
31
162
SEP
22
30
268
OCT
22
30
293
NOV
21
30
70
DEC
21
30
19
Our Nicaragua Holidays
Costa Rica and Nicaragua self drive holiday
Self drive highlights of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
From
£3130
16 days
ex flights
Nicaragua holiday, Cobbled Streets to Coral Reefs
Colonial cities, Volcanoes, Homestays and Caribbean Islands
From
£1525
10 days
ex flights
Nicaragua adventure holiday
Discover remote destinations on this exciting adventure
From
£2755
18 days
ex flights
Family holiday in Nicaragua
A great adventure experience with your family in Nicaragua.
From
£1595
12 days
ex flights
Central America cycling holidays
Explore Central America's volcanoes, rainforests and beaches
From
£2165 to £2275
15 days
ex flights
Nicaragua activity holiday
An active trip through Nicaragua's beautiful highlights!
From
US $1765 to US $1895
8 days
ex flights
Central America small group tour
Epic Central American journey from Mexico to Costa Rica.
From
£1921 to £2440
33 days
ex flights
Nicaragua walking tour holiday
Comfortably-paced exploration of Nicaragua's hidden gems
From
£2725
14 days
ex flights
Anchorage to Tierra Del Fuego tour by overland truck
Epic overland trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego
From
£11950 to £11975
210 days
ex flights
Nicaragua tailor made adventure holiday
Discover Nicaragua on this action-packed trip
From
£2470
14 days
ex flights
Nicaragua bespoke holiday, fire, water and revolution
Discover the culture and landscape of beautiful Nicaragua
From
£2141
10 days
ex flights
Central America tour
Reggae rhythms, flavoursome food and spectacular landscapes
From
£2254 to £3089
24 days
ex flights
Cycling holiday in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Cycling adventure through Nicaragua and Costa Rica
From
£1090 to £1130
8 days
ex flights
Nicaragua & El Salvador tour
A Central American adventure, away from the tourist trail
From
£2599 to £2699
17 days
ex flights
Central America highlights holiday, culture & nature
Discover the cultural and natural highlights of Central America
From
£3757
19 days
ex flights
Central America highlights tour
Experience five Central American countries in just two weeks
From
£2385 to £3085
17 days
inc UK flights
Nicaragua highlights, small group tour
Explore the largest Central American country of Nicaragua
From
£2675
13 days
ex flights
Nicaragua holidays, tailor made tour
An insight into Nicaragua's fascinating and tumultuous history
From
£3650
13 days
inc UK flights
Nicaragua adventure holiday, river canoeing expedition
Stunning tailormade kayaking adventure on Rio San Juan
From
£2595
10 days
ex flights
Things to do in Nicaragua
Things to do in Nicaragua…
Things not to do in Nicaragua…
Our top Nicaragua Holiday
Nicaragua holiday, Cobbled Streets to Coral Reefs
Colonial cities, Volcanoes, Homestays and Caribbean Islands
From
£1525
10 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Nicaragua or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Nicaragua travel advice
Cultural tips
Cultural tips
Jessica Schugel from our Nicaragua holidays specialist, Buen Viaje Tours:
“Nicaragua is caliente – not just in temperature, but also in the culture and the people. There is something very special about it. It’s a hot climate so everyone is out on the street, enjoying the breeze. There is a lot of talk and gossip. It’s a bit like the Latin American telenovelas, or soap operas, but a living one. They also just put their sexuality out there. It’s natural, it’s not taboo, and they are very open generally. However, dress respectfully, because even though Nicaraguans are comfortable revealing their bodies, that tends to be on top. The women always wear longer dresses or jeans. They show off their tops, but legs are covered. So wearing skimpy skirts or shorts will make tourists stick out like sore thumbs.”
“Nicaragua is caliente – not just in temperature, but also in the culture and the people. There is something very special about it. It’s a hot climate so everyone is out on the street, enjoying the breeze. There is a lot of talk and gossip. It’s a bit like the Latin American telenovelas, or soap operas, but a living one. They also just put their sexuality out there. It’s natural, it’s not taboo, and they are very open generally. However, dress respectfully, because even though Nicaraguans are comfortable revealing their bodies, that tends to be on top. The women always wear longer dresses or jeans. They show off their tops, but legs are covered. So wearing skimpy skirts or shorts will make tourists stick out like sore thumbs.”
Shopping tip
Shopping tip
Scott Marquardt, tour leader with our supplier Tucan Travel:
“One of the best things you can buy is a beautiful handcrafted hammock made by deaf workers at the Café de Sonrisas in León, Nicaragua. By purchasing a hammock you’re supporting a fantastic non-profit organisation that helps the deaf, and they’ll ship to anywhere in the world.”
“One of the best things you can buy is a beautiful handcrafted hammock made by deaf workers at the Café de Sonrisas in León, Nicaragua. By purchasing a hammock you’re supporting a fantastic non-profit organisation that helps the deaf, and they’ll ship to anywhere in the world.”
Food tips
Food tips
Jessica Schugel from our supplier, Buen Viaje Tours:
“I think that there is a greater wealth of really interesting food in Nicaragua than in surrounding countries. But if you don’t know what is out there, you won’t find it. You have to go in search of it, but it is diverse. Which is why I run foodie tours. Also, because the Nicaraguans find something to celebrate every day of the year, it always revolves around food.”
“I think that there is a greater wealth of really interesting food in Nicaragua than in surrounding countries. But if you don’t know what is out there, you won’t find it. You have to go in search of it, but it is diverse. Which is why I run foodie tours. Also, because the Nicaraguans find something to celebrate every day of the year, it always revolves around food.”
Tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Nicaragua travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Nicaragua travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accommodation, saw lots of wildlife...
– Kam Datta on a river canoeing holiday
“There are legal money changers on street corners in Leon and Granada. These give a much better exchange rate than banks or the Cambio at the airport.” - Stephen Osgerby
“The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accomodation, saw lots of wildlife. Go for it! Be prepared for quite basic accommodation & amenities at times (although we did not mind it at all). Bring some wet-wipes as in some places washing facilities. Also consider bringing small roll of toilet paper.” – Kam Datta on a river canoeing holiday
“The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accomodation, saw lots of wildlife. Go for it! Be prepared for quite basic accommodation & amenities at times (although we did not mind it at all). Bring some wet-wipes as in some places washing facilities. Also consider bringing small roll of toilet paper.” – Kam Datta on a river canoeing holiday
More about Nicaragua
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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Photo credits: [Page banner: LMspencer] [weather chart: Carnaval.com Studios]
[Things to do: jyuen1314]
[Cultural tips: Jorge Mejía peralta]
[Shopping tip: Jessica Schugel ]
[Food tips: Jessica Schugel ]
[Tip1: Adam Baker]
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