Wait, what? Did we teleport back in time to late 2015/early 2016? Why am I writing about Nicaragua now, more than a year after returning from my Central America backpacking trip?
The thing is, I’ve written a good bit about Nicaragua on this blog, but I still get requests all. the. time. for a more comprehensive Nicaragua itinerary ranging from 1 week to 3 weeks.
Because apparently me rambling on for 2000+ words about the wonders of each location in excruciating descriptive detail isn’t good enough!
Kidding!! But seriously, I get it – it’s one thing to want to read through a wordy and descriptive round-up of each location, and another to want a concise, straightforward itinerary that’s easy to follow.
I enjoy the process of writing about my adventures in storytelling format, but I totally understand the need for quick and dirty information to reference while planning.
So, because I love my readers, I’m digging back through the archives to round up my best Nicaragua travel tips and tricks, to bring you my take on the ultimate Nicaragua itinerary. Be warned: Nicaragua is hands-down one of the BEST countries I’ve ever traveled to (read more about that here), so you just might be tempted to skip your flight and overstay your planned timeline!
Let’s do this thang, shall we?
Where to go, what to do, and what to see in 1, 2, or 3 weeks in Nicaragua
How to read this guide:
Step One: I’ve created 3 separate itinerary overviews: a 1 week itinerary, 2 week itinerary, and 3 week itinerary. Depending on how long you have to travel, look at the overview to see a day-by-day breakdown of where you should go, and to get a general feel of what you’ll see and experience.
Step Two: Below that I’ve included detailed information for each location listed in the itinerary overview. So if you’re visiting Nicaragua for 2 weeks, check the itinerary overview first, then fill in the details (sights, accommodation, tours, etc.) with the location-specific sections below.
1 Week in Nicaragua Itinerary
Highlights: The colorful colonial city of Granada, volcanoes, wild and natural Isla de Ometepe
- Day 1: Fly into Managua – Get in, then get out (bus or taxi to Granada)
- Day 2: Granada
- Day 3: Granada – Choose a day trip: Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo
- Day 4: Bus to San Jorge, ferry to Ometepe
- Day 5: Ometepe
- Day 6: Ometepe
- Day 7: Return to Managua to fly home
*Note: Granada is sort of a “must see” on any Nicaragua itinerary, but depending on your interests you could swap out Ometepe for Leon or San Juan Del Sur. I selected Ometepe because it’s my personal favorite, but feel free to adjust!*
2 Weeks in Nicaragua Itinerary
Highlights: The colorful colonial city of Granada, volcanoes, wild and natural Isla de Ometepe, the funky beach town of San Juan del Sur, historic Leon
- Day 1: Fly into Managua – get in, then get out (bus or taxi to Granada)
- Day 2: Granada
- Day 3: Granada – Choose a day trip: Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo
- Day 4: Granada -Choose a day trip: Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo
- Day 5: Bus to San Jorge, ferry to Ometepe
- Day 5: Ometepe
- Day 6: Ometepe
- Day 7: Ferry to the mainland, bus to San Juan Del Sur
- Day 8: San Juan Del Sur
- Day 9: San Juan Del Sur
- Day 10: Bus to Leon
- Day 11: Leon
- Day 12: Leon
- Day 13: Leon – Day trip to Las Peñitas
- Day 14: Return to Managua to fly home
3 Weeks in Nicaragua Itinerary
Highlights: The colorful colonial city of Granada, volcanoes, wild and natural Isla de Ometepe, the funky beach town of San Juan del Sur, historic Leon, rural Matagalpa, the tropical Corn Islands
- Day 1: Fly into Managua – get in, then get out (bus or taxi to Granada)
- Day 2: Granada
- Day 3: Granada – Choose a day trip: Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo
- Day 4: Granada – Choose a day trip: Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo
- Day 5: Bus to San Jorge, ferry to Ometepe
- Day 5: Ometepe
- Day 6: Ometepe
- Day 7: Ferry to mainland, bus to San Juan Del Sur
- Day 8: San Juan Del Sur
- Day 9: San Juan Del Sur
- Day 10: Bus to Leon
- Day 11: Leon
- Day 12: Leon
- Day 13: Bus to Matagalpa
- Day 14: Matagalpa
- Day 15: Matagalpa
- Day 16: Bus to Managua
- Day 17: Fly to Corn Islands
- Day 18: Corn Islands
- Day 19: Corn Islands
- Day 20: Corn Islands
- Day 21: Fly home
*Note: You’ll save a day if you can bus from Matagalpa to Managua and catch a flight to the Corn Islands that same day, but flights are limited and travel in Nicaragua is slow. In many cases, I recommend spending the night in Managua before catching a flight the following morning.*
What to do in Granada
Granada is one of Central America’s most beautiful colonial cities. It’s colorful and charming, with painted walls and cobblestone streets, and the palm trees and balmy air give the city a tropical and extremely Latin vibe. It’s vibrant and bustling, full of street vendors, motorbikes and pedestrians–exactly the type of city I’m drawn to.
- Where to stay:
- I stayed at Hostal el Momento and absolutely loved my experience there!
- For a more upscale option, Hotel Plaza Colon and Hotel Real La Merced both look absolutely stunning.
- What to see and do:
- People watch in Parque Central
- 6 historic churches – The Cathedral, La Merced (don’t miss going into the bell tower!), Guadalupe, Xalteva, San Francisco and María Auxiliadora
- Make your own chocolate at the ChocoMuseo
- Boat tour or kayak through the Isletas de Granada
- Day trips:
- Volcan Mombacho – Inactive volcano surrounded by cloud forest. Hike, zipline, taste locally grown coffee, listen out for howler monkeys, and try to spot wildlife.
- Volcan Masaya – Active volcano with a smoking, glowing red crater. The experience is less about hiking, more about seeing an active volcano up close.
- Laguna de Apoyo – A volcanic lake surrounded by mountains, with clear warm water that’s perfect for floating and relaxing.
Read more: First Impressions of Granada, Nicaragua
What to do on Isla de Ometepe
Close your eyes and envision the following scenery: two massive volcanoes, rising up out of the gently rolling waves of a warm freshwater lake. One of the volcanoes is active, rocky, and perfectly-pointed, while the other is inactive, lush, and encircled by a constant swirl of clouds at its peak.
The two contrasting volcanoes are joined by a thin strip of land, creating a sort of hourglass shaped island. And on this island is a whole little world filled with fertile rainforests, coffee and tobacco plantations, howler monkeys, colorful birds, crystal clear lagoons, waterfalls, and ancient petroglyphs.
- Where to stay:
- Santo Domingo (just over the the isthmus on the Maderas side) is a nice section of the island, and one of the few places to stay that has beach access.
- Merida (also on the Maderas side) represents everything I loved about Ometepe. I stayed at La Omaja Hotel and thought it was fabulous!
- What to see and do:
- Hike to San Ramon Waterfall
- Hike to the top of Volcán Concepción or Volcán Maderas (you’re already crazy if you choose one of these hikes…choose two, and you’re really out of your mind!)
- Rent a motorbike (or bicycle!) and explore the island
- Swim in the Ojo de Agua
- Chill out on Playa Santo Domingo
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Visit a coffee farm
- View ancient petroglyphs
Read more: Playing on Ometepe’s Adventurous Side at La Omaja Hotel
What to do in San Juan Del Sur
Time for some brutal honesty: I didn’t love San Juan Del Sur…like, at all. To sing its praises for the sake of this itinerary wouldn’t feel right to me, so instead I’m going to share an excerpt from a post over on Alex in Wanderland (note: she acknowledges that SJDS is a “love it or hate it” kind of place, and she falls well on the “love it” end of the spectrum).
Alex writes: “San Juan del Sur is the definition of a backpacker beach where surfing and partying are the main draws. Late-night taco stands, cute surf boutiques and lively bars abound.”
- Where to stay:
- I stayed at Surfing Donkey Hostel, which – despite my overall misgivings about San Juan Del Sur – I would in fact recommend for those looking for a solid party scene.
- Alex stayed at Casa Oro, which is one of the more popular options for backpackers.
- What to see and do:
- Hit the beach
- Take a surfing lesson
- Hike to the Christ of Mercy statue above town
- Spend an afternoon cruising on a catamaran
- Ride horses on the beach
- Go wild at Sunday Funday
What to do in Leon
It took a day or two for Leon to grow on me, but once I saw past the city’s rough edges and slightly gritty vibe, I fell hard and fast. One of the first things that caught my eye was the number of detailed political murals scattered across the walls of the city. León has an important revolutionary history, and it shows in the street art.
- Where to stay:
- I stayed at Latina Hostal, and while it certainly was a roof over my head, I thought it was just okay.
- On a return trip, I’d probably stay at Poco a Poco Hostel or Hostal Casa Ivana.
- What to see and do:
- Volcano board down Cerro Negro
- Check out the rooftop of the Cathedral de León
- Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Subtiava
- Soak in the revolutionary street art/murals
- Visit the Museum of Legends and Traditions
- Day trips:
- Las Peñitas
Read more: Learning to Love León
What to do in Matagalpa
Located north of Managua, in the direction of the Honduran border, is Matagalpa. Of the city’s 150,000 citizens, many are involved in farming or agriculture. Matagalpa is known for its coffee production, but it also exports cacao, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and cattle. So, if you’re looking for a real cowboy experience in Nicaragua, Matagalpa just might be your go-to place!
- Where to stay:
- Hostal La Buena Onda was perfectly comfortable, and had a nice relaxed-yet-social atmosphere.
- What to see and do:
- Tour the Selva Negra Organic Coffee Farm, and taste the local coffee
- Go on a tobacco or chocolate tour
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Stroll around town, taking in the mountain views
Read more: Back to Basics in Matagalpa
What to do on Little Corn Island
Time for some more honesty: I spent 3 weeks in Nicaragua, and did not visit the Corn Islands. Why not? I ended up hanging around in Granada for a solid week, and split the remaining two weeks between Ometepe, Leon, and Matagalpa, with minimal time in San Juan Del Sur.
I’m a bit of a slow/lazy traveler, and am one of those weird people who would rather spend more time in less places than see everything there is to see. That said, if I were planning a 3 week vacation in Nicaragua (rather than kicking off a multi-month backpacking trip, like I was) then I WOULD include a trip to the Corn Islands.
Little Corn Island is – from what I understand – a tropical paradise in every sense of the word. Amanda from A Dangerous Business wrote a fun post on Little Corn Island, so I’m going to direct anyone who’s interested in visiting over to her post.
As you may have guessed, this wasn’t the exact itinerary I followed when I spent 3 weeks in Nicaragua. But this IS the itinerary I would recommend following based on my experiences and what I now know about traveling there. Whatever length of time you’re able to spend in Nicaragua, I have no doubt that this vibrant Latin nation will charm you in the same way it did me.
And that’s a wrap!
Pin It!
Have you ever been to Nicaragua? If so, what would you add to this itinerary? If not, what questions do you still have about traveling in Nicaragua?
This is such a good idea! I love reading about places in detail when I’m trying to figure out where to go, but when planning for a big trip, sometimes itineraries are the most helpful! Plus, I loved getting to go back and read all about your time in Nicaragua and see all of your beautiful pictures again!
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders recently posted…Where To Eat On Kauai
Totally agree! I love a good itinerary, but they’re not always my favorite to write 😉 This one was pretty fun though! I liked looking back through my pictures too heheh
Gah, Nicaragua looks absolutely stunning!! I’d love visiting that corner of the world. I traveled through Cuba a couple of years ago, but haven’t made it back to central America yet. Itineraries are always so helpful.
#WanderfulWednesday
Esther | Your Dutch Guide recently posted…7 things to do in Middelburg, The Netherlands
It’s so beautiful and vibrant, I love it! Haven’t made it to Cuba yet, but that’s on the list for sure!
Nicaragua is climbing on my list. Looks great!
Definitely go if you get the chance – it’s amazing!
Even though I’m pretty sure I pinned each of your posts about Nicaragua, it’s still nice to have one complete guide, so I can understand why people ask for it. Hope to go one day because of you! 🙂 #WanderfulWednesday
Lolo recently posted…Why You NEED To Go To Skopje, Macedonia NOW
Nicaragua is so fun to write about! I wish I could go back and re-live all of those memories from all of those posts.
Nicaragua looks amazing! Such wonderful nature.
x
The nature was definitely one of my favorite parts about Nicaragua!
First off, I have that dress you wore in Leon, I like your style lol. Second off, Nicaragua looks like such a beautiful country! I’ve never been anywhere for 3 weeks, I think that would be the dream! I do love the “feel” of Central America, I loved Costa Rica and need to go back soon!
Christine | The Journey of Christine recently posted…Burano, Italy: The Perfect Venetian Day Trip
Hahah great minds think alike! You could definitely spend less than 3 weeks in Nicaragua and see the best of it, but at the same time my 3 weeks there flew by because I loved it so much. I’m itching to get back to Central America too!
I like to write in depth pieces on my blog about particular locations. Like you mentioned, a lot of people prefer itineraries and guide. I like to write those too (but do not only want to write that). Nicaragua is the only Central American country I have not visited. I can’t believe it. Everything in there looks so beautiful. Would love to do your two week itinerary. #wanderfulwednesday
Ruth | Tanama Tales recently posted…How to Travel with the Correct Attitude
Totally agree! I think it’s fun to write in-depth pieces and tell stories, but my itinerary posts always seem to be more helpful to people. So, I try to find a balance. I still have some countries to see in Central America as well, but I have a feeling Nicaragua will always be one of my favorites!
Thanks for sharing your great and honest recommendations! I am always looking to plan my next trip back to Nicaragua. I also wasn’t a huge fan of San Juan del Sur, but I did come to love nearby Playa Maderas! Something I would add to your boat/kayak recommendation in Granada would be to check out Isleta El Espino in the Isletas for either a day trip or overnight stay. It has been one of the most magical places I’ve been to date with the view of the Mombacho volcano across the lake!
Thanks for the tip, that place does sound magical! I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in Nicaragua…I’d love to be back there soon!
Amazing guide!! I can now see how gorgeous Nicaragua really is!
Thanks! It really is a beautiful country.
I have bookmarked this post! Could you please do these summaries of every destination you visit? 😉
Dominique recently posted…Berlin – Street Art Tour
Haha I’ll do my best!!
I’d love to return to Nicaragua, it was the country in Central America that most surprised me. As I was on a tour through the region, we really only did a condensed version of your 1 week itinerary but I constantly learning how much more the country has to offer. Will definitely consult this when I get the chance to return. #WanderfulWednesday
Nicaragua surprised me as well! I’d love to go back someday too.
Hey great tips!!! This is awesome. I’d like to ask you about how to get to the places you mention. I have a week to go and would like to savior it the most. We are a family of three (52, 53 and 17 yrs old) and like your blog so much. We are thinking on going on March 2018. Thank you.
Hi Julio! You can book private or shared shuttles between the destinations easily and for relatively little money. There are also public buses that travel direct between the places, which cost just a few dollars usually – although they’re not as nice and they do make stops. I used a mixture of both options. Your hotels should be able to help you with booking!
IS it safe to travel in Nicaragua?