10 days travelling in Nicaragua: Your complete Nicaragua itinerary

All of best places to visit and adventures to add to your Nicaragua itinerary!

Why you should visit Nicaragua

It was my third trip to Central America before I finally made it to Nicaragua, which was a mistake! When you picture travelling through Central America – the jungles, the colourful towns, the volcanoes, the sea turtles, the surfing, the wildlife, the adventure – it is all right here in Nicaragua. Better yet, it comes at a fraction of the price of neighbouring Costa Rica.

There is enough tourism infrastructure to make Nicaragua an easy place to visit, but without so much it feels like it has lost its authenticity. Nicaragua is an ideal destination for those wanting to avoid the crowds, but still experience Central America to its absolute fullest.

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Here is your complete Nicaragua itinerary for 10 days or more of travel.

Getting to Nicaragua

Getting to Nicaragua is easier than ever. Whether you prefer flying in or travelling overland as part of a larger tour of Central America, there are plenty of options to suit your style.

Travelling to Nicaragua overland

If you’re already exploring Central America, travelling overland to Nicaragua is a great way to go.

The Peñas Blancas border crossing from Costa Rica is popular with tourists and pretty easy to navigate.

From Honduras, El Guasaule is the main entry point. Border crossings can take a little patience. They can be slow and a bit stressful, but they are generally pretty straightforward.

If you’re a bit unsure or nervous about crossing borders in Central America, take a shuttle. You will be with a group of people in the same boat, and the driver can offer assistance where you need. There are lots of different shuttle companies for different routes.

We booked a couple of shuttles with Gekko Explorer and they were generally pretty good.

Flights to Nicaragua

Flying into Nicaragua is a breeze, with Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua as the main hub. Major airlines like Avianca and Copa Airlines connect Nicaragua to cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Look for connecting flights through Central American hubs like San Salvador or Panama City to save a bit of cash. If you’re travelling around peak holiday times, try to book your flights as early as you can for the best deals.

Visas for Nicaragua

Nicaragua is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) agreement, which means you can move freely between Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala for up to 90 days with a single visa.

Many nationalities, including U.S., Canadian, Australian and EU passport holders, don’t need to worry about a visa beforehand—you can grab one on arrival.

Note about the CA-4 visa

A word of advice – If you are travelling through Central America and planning to spend time in the CA-4 countries, make sure you check you visa stamp on arrival. We had a bit of a nightmare.

We entered the CA-4 region through Guatemala. When we tried to enter Honduras, we were denied entry at the border. Turns out the immigration officer upon arrival in Guatemala had written 30 days instead of 90 days on our visa.

This was a mistake by the immigration officer, but we didn’t pick it up. It meant we now had 30 days to visit Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. We didn’t realise and spent almost a month in Guatemala, which meant by the time we tried to enter Honduras we had about 36 hours to leave the CA-4 region or we were overstaying our visa. We tried to explain what had happened, but the immigration officers said there was nothing they could do.

In the end we had to very quickly overland it back to Belize so we could re-enter the the CA-4 region and get the correct visa. It cost us almost a week and a decent amount of money and stress to get it sorted. So my advice is – check your stamp! Make sure it says 90 days.

Getting around in Nicaragua

Getting around in Nicaragua is fairly simple. You have two main options – taking shuttles between the main destinations or using public transport, affectionately known as chicken buses.

Chicken buses are usually decommissioned American school buses that have been given a new lease of life throughout Central America. They are painted in bright colours, the seats are small, and they are usually packed to the brim with passengers and anything else that needs to be transported. Even chickens, hence the name.

Chicken buses are not the most comfortable way to get around, but I’d firmly recommend trying to include at least one on your Nicaragua itinerary. It is one of the quintessential Central American experiences.

How long do you need in Nicaragua?

Okay, let’s be real—you could spend weeks (or even months) exploring all the amazing spots Nicaragua has to offer. But if you’ve only got 10 days, don’t sweat it! You can hit all the highlights and still have time to chill. This itinerary is perfect for first-timers who want a mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture.

10 days in Nicaragua itinerary

Ready to map out your trip? Here’s how to spend an unforgettable 10 days in Nicaragua.

Leon

Léon was one of my favourite places to visit in Nicaragua. It is a charming and unassuming city, with beautiful architecture, fascinating history and lots of nature to enjoy! I recommend spending at least 2 days in Léon.

Things to do in Leon

Volcano boarding

One of the most popular activities in Léon is volcano boarding. Yep, you heard that right! Head to Cerro Negro, hike up the side of the volcano, get kitted up in your fluro overalls, and zoom down around 700m. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other.

This activity is so popular and so unique that I’ve included it on my list of 11 ultimate experiences in Central America.

Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian

Something I bet you didn’t expect to see on a Nicaragua itinerary is walking around a world-class art gallery with extensive collections including Picasso, Chagall and Warhol.

The Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian has to be the best art gallery in Central America. It is definitely worth a few hours of your time.

Visit the Léon Cathedral rooftop

Climbing up to the iconic rooftop of Léon Cathedral is a must do on any Nicaragua itinerary. Not only do you get incredible views of the surrounding hills and city, there is so much to explore in the architecture of the cathedral itself. Go at sunset for the best photos!

For more ideas of things to do in Léon, read my guide to The Best Things to do in Leon, Nicaragua.

Where to stay in Leon

Here are some of the best places to stay in León, Nicaragua.

Budget – For the money-savvy traveller, you really can’t go past Poco a Poco Hostel. It’s one of the most popular hostels in town, really social, has a pool and can organise tours and activities. This is a great place to meet fellow travellers and the pool would be a god-send in summer.

Mid-range – Still on the cheaper side but a bit more luxe, we stayed at the Hostal La Tortuga Booluda. If I was to go back to León, I would stay here again. The rooms were lovely, staff were friendly and helpful and it was social but still quiet at night. There are even a few adorable little tortoises wandering around the hammock area to keep you entertained.

Luxury – If you’re looking for something special, check out the Hotel El Convento.

Granada

The next stop on this Nicaragua itinerary is the beautiful, colonial city of Granada. Complete with cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and grand architecture, Granada is worth exploring for a day or two.

Things to do in Granada

Explore the old town

One of the best things to do in Granada is to simply wander the colourful streets. There is so much to see including beautiful mosaics scattered throughout the old town.

Visit Masaya volcano

Visiting Masaya volcano was a highlight of my time in Granada. It would be worth a visit just scenery around the volcano. It is like something out of Jurassic Park.

However the real highlight is to stay after sunset. As the day light disappears, you can see the glow of the hot lava inside the volcano. It really is an amazing thing to behold.

Take a La Isletas tour

Just outside of town is Lake Nicaragua and 365 small islands that make up La Isletas de Granada. It is a really unique and beautiful part of the world and filled with an incredible diversity of bird life. It can be seen on a half day trip from Granada.

Where to stay in Granada

Granada has some of the best accommodation options on this entire Nicaragua itinerary. Here are some of our top picks.

Budget – I’m going to recommend two budget places to stay. The first is where we stayed El Arca de Noe. It is not fancy, but is very comfortable and has a lovely courtyard with hammocks to relax and watch the hummingbirds. The owner, Carlos, is amazing and even gives you a free city tour. The staff were really patient and although they spoke English well, explained everything to me in very slow Spanish because they could tell I was trying to learn. The location is great, breakfast is included, the price is amazing. The only reason I am recommending anywhere else is because it looks like there is no availability to book at the moment, so they may have closed.

Alternatively, friends of ours stayed at Hostel de Boca en Boca and loved it. And it has a pool!

Mid-range – Hotel il Padrino has comfortable rooms in a great location. The breakfast is excellent and there are shared kitchen facilities to cook your own food.

High-end – If you’re looking for somewhere a little nicer to stay, it is hard to fault Bubu Casa Guesthouse. Gorgeous rooms that open onto a lush green garden and pool, in a perfect location right in the centre of the old town!

For information about how to get to the next stop on this Nicaragua itinerary, read my guide to How to Get from Granada to Ometepe.

Ometepe

Next on our Nicaragua itinerary is Ometepe. Ometepe has a way of stealing the hearts of travellers. It is not uncommon for people to go for a day and stay for a week, or go for a week and never leave. I recommend spending at least two to three days exploring Ometepe.

An island in the centre of Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes giving it a pretty iconic skyline. The island itself is wild and full of opportunities for adventure.

Things to do in Ometepe

Hire a scooter and explore the island

My favourite thing to do on Ometepe was hiring a scooter and getting out to the lesser-explored parts of the island. There is a road that circles around most of the island which is in a decent condition. You can hire scooters from both main towns, Moyogalpa and Balgue. Exploring Ometepe on a scooter is one of the highlights of any Nicaragua itinerary.

Climb one of the two volcanoes

Ometepe is formed from two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. The good news for hikers is that both are accessible. Both Concepción and Maderas summits are moderately-challenging day hikes. It is advised to hire a guide, or go as part of an organised hiking tour.

For more ideas, check out my guide to the best things to do on Ometepe!

Where to stay in Ometepe

Budget – Rancho Tranquillo is a great budget option. It is a 10 minute walk to town and has direct access to the lake. They only offer dormitory style rooms but if you’re looking to have a relaxing time, make some friends and soak up the Ometepe sunsets, this is the place.

Mid-range – Hospedaje Soma Ometepe Hotel is great if you want a few more comforts during your stay. The hotel has a restaurant, pool and airconditioned rooms all surrounded by lush, green gardens. While still a rather basic accommodation, it is great value for the price and a good option for the area.

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is the place to be for beach vibes, surfing, and stunning sunsets. You could easily spend a lot longer in San Juan del Sur, and should if you intend on learning to surf. Otherwise, I recommend spending two or three days. Enough time to explore the area, and spend some time relaxing at nearby beaches.

Things to do in San Juan del Sur

Take surf lessons

One of the biggest reasons people visit San Juan del Sur is to embrace the surf culture. Whether you’re an experienced surfer or a total beginner, there are plenty of opportunities to get out into the waves and give it a go. Most of the surf beaches are actually located outside of town, as are the best surf schools.

You can organise surf lessons when you arrive in town. If you want to do a surf camp, reach out early as places are limited. Alternatively, book to stay somewhere like DreamSea Surf Resort where they have surf lessons available daily.

Watch sea turtles nest or hatch

If you’re visiting between July and December, don’t miss the chance to see sea turtles nesting. There are a few beaches around San Juan del Sur that are sea turtle nesting grounds. We were lucky enough to be there when a group of baby sea turtles were being released which was such a special thing to witness.

Before booking any sea turtle experience make sure you do your research to ensure the tour is ethical. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a seedy side to sea turtle tourism, particularly in Nicaragua. A good rule to follow is if a tour allows tourists to touch the baby sea turtles, they are more interested in making money than protecting the turtles.

Where to stay in San Juan del Sur

Here are our top picks for accommodation in San Juan del Sur.

Budget – Tapihouse is one of the best budget accommodation options in town. It’s basic but has air-conditioning, is clean and in a good location.

Mid-range – DreamSea Surf Resort is located out of town but perfect if your plan is to take surf lessons.

Tips for travelling in Nicaragua

Traveling in Nicaragua is a breeze if you keep these tips in mind.

• Carry Cash: Not everywhere takes cards, especially in smaller towns. It is also a good idea to try to hang on to smaller denominations. Some shops don’t have enough change to break large notes so will just say no.
• Bring Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent: This is one of the biggest downsides of travelling in Nicaragua. The sun and the mosquitoes should not be underestimated!
• Learn Basic Spanish: A few phrases can make all the difference. Even if your Spanish is terrible, you can see that the locals appreciate that you’ve made the effort.
• Stay Hydrated: Always have a reusable water bottle with you. I bring my Lifestraw bottle with me everywhere which means you can fill up from any tap and have safe drinking water.
• Pack Light: Lightweight clothes and comfy shoes are a must.
• Try the local cuisine: Nicaragua has an interesting food scene with some cool innovative restaurants popping up. A perfect example is the banana burger from Tostometro in the markets in Granada.

The best time to visit Nicaragua

The dry season (November to April) is ideal for sunny skies and easy travel. The rainy season (May to October) has its perks too, like lush landscapes and fewer crowds, but some remote spots might be trickier to reach.

This Nicaragua itinerary can be completed year-round. If you are looking to get further off the beaten path and spend more time in Nicaragua, I would recommend travelling in the dry season.

Is Nicaragua safe?

Nicaragua is considered one of the safest countries in Central America. Like a lot of the region, Nicaragua has had some uprest in the past that taints how people view it now. All I can say is that when I was there, I never felt unsafe or concerned. I was travelling with my partner on this trip, but I would have no hesitations going back as a solo female traveller.

Like anywhere, just use common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings, avoid walking alone at night, and stay in well-reviewed accommodation, like those I have recommended above. Locals are super friendly and happy to help, which makes exploring even more enjoyable.

With this Nicaragua itinerary, you’re all set for an unforgettable time. Pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to fall in love with this incredible country!

Plan your Nicaragua itinerary!

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Looking for more inspiration for travelling in Central America?

How to get from Granada to Ometepe

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The best things to do in Ometepe

Guide to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

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