Nicaragua holidays 2024 & 2025

Nicaragua’s diverse attractions include dramatic volcanic landscapes, little-visited wildlife reserves, neo-classical cities, and tranquil beaches. Nicaragua’s lack of visitors gives it an authentic charm and whether you want to explore the cobbled streets of its vibrant cities or track wildlife in one of its jungle reserves, you’ll find it has an unspoiled allure.

You can also hike to the top of volcanoes for expansive views, explore wildlife reserves home to alligators, caiman, turtles, and iguanas, tour coffee plantations, or take a guided city tour to learn about Nicaragua’s long and complex history. And when you’ve done the sights, quiet beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts await with clear waters, the freshest of seafood, and a sleepy, laid-back air ideal for serious relaxation.

Nicaragua offers a good range of places to stay from beachfront hotels offering yoga and spas, to antique-filled heritage properties, and remote lodges where you can walk straight onto a forest trail.

In the cities, you’ll find historic hotels with plenty of local character including an elegantly restored mansion in Granada and a 17th-century convent in León. Elsewhere, hotels are usually simpler, but we’ve found some luxurious options including a wellness resort with suites and villas right on the waterfront, and a jungle ecolodge and spa overlooking the sea that also offers an insight into sustainable forestry and farming methods. For some more ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Nicaragua.

In Nicaragua, most visitors head for Granada, León, San Juan del Sur, and Masaya Volcano National Park. Refined Granada, with its cobbled streets and neo-classical architecture sits between a glittering lake and an imposing volcano, while León is Nicaragua’s intellectual and cultural capital and a cosmopolitan hub with a vibrant energy.

For volcanic landscapes around a giant crater, head to Masaya Volcano National Park where you can hear the lava broiling underground. More volcanic peaks await on Ometepe Island where a network of trails offer good walking and riding opportunities and the chance to see ancient petroglyphs.

You’ll find dense jade forest thick with howler monkeys and brightly coloured birds in the Rio San Juan wildlife reserve, while for relaxation, you could explore the coastline around the up-and-coming fishing-village of San Juan del Sur or escape it all on the little-visited Corn Islands on the Caribbean coast.

It takes around 14 hours to fly from the UK to Nicaragua, via USA.

The time zone in Nicaragua is UTC-6 hours. Daylight Savings Time isn’t observed.

The best way to get around Nicaragua is with a private driver who can negotiate the sometimes-difficult roads and leave you to enjoy the scenery.

Although Nicaragua is an absorbing standalone destination, it also combines well with a visit to Costa Rica or Panama City. We can arrange overland transport to Costa Rica and a short flight to Panama.

UK citizens don’t need a visa to visit Nicaragua for stays of up to 90 days, but you’ll need to buy a tourist card on arrival. If you’re entering Nicaragua by land, you’ll also be asked to pay a customs fee and a municipal fee.

If you’re flying to Nicaragua via the United States, you’ll need authorisation to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. You can apply on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Applications can take up to 72 hours to be processed and approved.

Speak to your doctor about vaccine advice for Nicaragua and ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.

Your passport should be valid for six months from your date of entry to Nicaragua.