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!

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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? 

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