Nicaragua Attractions

Things to Do in Nicaragua: Volcanoes, Colonial Cities and Wild Coasts

Chosen by Jeremy Snelling, Senior Travel Specialist for Latin America · Updated October 2026

Nicaragua packs a lot into a small country. In a two-week trip you can walk the colonial streets of Granada, slide down an active volcano near León, swim in spring-fed pools on Ometepe Island and watch turtles nest on the Pacific coast, without the crowds you’ll find in neighbouring Costa Rica.

These are the experiences our Latin America specialist Jeremy Snelling recommends most, based on his own travels across the country. Every one can be arranged privately, with your own guide and transport, as part of a tailor-made Nicaragua holiday.

1. Granada and the Lake Nicaragua Shore

Granada, founded in 1524, is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, and its painted houses and church towers are best seen early in the morning.

• Private walking tour of Granada: a local historian takes you through the old centre, into colonial courtyards and up a cathedral bell tower for views over the rooftops.
• Kayaking Las Isletas: paddle between some of the roughly 365 small islands formed by Mombacho volcano, with a naturalist pointing out herons, kingfishers and island life.
• Mombacho cloud forest: a 4×4 takes you most of the way up the volcano, so you can walk the crater trails through orchids and mist without a steep climb. Look out for the Mombacho salamander, found nowhere else.
• Laguna de Apoyo: swim in a warm, clear crater lake between Granada and Masaya, a relaxing afternoon after a busy morning.

Where to stay: Hotel Plaza Colón on Granada’s main square, or Pacaya Lodge & Spa on the rim of Laguna de Apoyo.

2. León and the Volcanic Lowlands

León is Nicaragua’s university city: livelier than Granada, with murals, museums and a strong revolutionary history.

• León Cathedral rooftop: the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can walk across its white-domed roof for views of the volcano chain.
• León Viejo: the ruins of the original city, abandoned in 1610 after earthquakes, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Volcano boarding on Cerro Negro: hike up Central America’s youngest volcano in about an hour, then slide down its black ash slope on a board. It’s Nicaragua’s most famous adventure, and suitable for most fit adults.

Where to stay: El Convento, a hotel in a restored colonial convent in the centre of León.

3. Ometepe Island

Ometepe rises out of Lake Nicaragua as two volcanoes joined by a narrow strip of land, and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It’s reached by a one-hour ferry.

• Ancient petroglyphs: see stone carvings left by the island’s early inhabitants in the farmland around Maderas volcano.
• Ojo de Agua: a natural spring-fed swimming pool shaded by forest, perfect for a slow afternoon.
• Maderas volcano hike: a full-day guided hike through cloud forest to a crater lagoon. It’s muddy and steep, so it’s for confident walkers; we can arrange shorter waterfall walks instead.

Where to stay: Hotel San Juan on Ometepe.

4. The Pacific Coast and San Juan del Sur

Nicaragua’s south-west coast has quiet beaches, good surf and some of the country’s best eco-lodges, including Morgan’s Rock.

• Turtle nesting at La Flor: olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest in large numbers, mainly between July and January. We arrange guided night visits with local rangers, and hatchling releases when the timing is right.
• Private surf lessons: learn at Playa Maderas, where the wind blows offshore from Lake Nicaragua for much of the year.
• Horse riding along the coast: sunset rides through farmland and onto the beach near San Juan del Sur.

5. The Corn Islands

A short flight from Managua takes you to the Caribbean side of Nicaragua and the Corn Islands, about 70 km offshore. Little Corn has no cars, just footpaths, reefs and small beach lodges.

• Snorkelling and diving: explore the reefs around Little Corn with a local guide, with turtles, rays and nurse sharks often seen.
• Creole culture: the islands’ English-speaking Creole community has its own food and music, quite different from mainland Nicaragua.

6. The Northern Coffee Highlands

In the cooler hills around Matagalpa, cloud forest and coffee farms replace volcanoes and beaches.

• Coffee farm visit: follow the beans from plant to cup at a working farm, with birdwatching on the forest trails.

Where to stay: Selva Negra Mountain Resort, a coffee estate with its own private cloud forest reserve.

Travelling Responsibly in Nicaragua

We work with local, licensed guides and family-run businesses wherever we can, so more of what you spend stays in the communities you visit. Experiences like the La Flor turtle visits support conservation directly, and we choose kayaks, horses and walking over motorboats where possible. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Plan Your Nicaragua Holiday

Most of these experiences fit into our 14-day Nicaragua Discovery itinerary, which we tailor around your interests and pace. For practical information on climate, visas and health, see our About Nicaragua page, or browse all our Nicaragua hotels.

Nicaragua also combines well with Costa Rica, and suits our adventure, wildlife and culture and heritage holidays. To start planning, request a video call with Jeremy.

Nicaragua Experiences at a Glance

The Corn Islands are best in the drier months: they get much more rain than the Pacific side, especially from June to December.

New FAQ section

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Do I need to be fit to climb volcanoes in Nicaragua?

It depends on the volcano. Mombacho is easy, because a 4×4 takes you most of the way up and the crater trails are gentle. Cerro Negro takes about an hour of steep walking on loose ash, so it suits most fit adults. Maderas on Ometepe is a full-day, muddy climb for confident hikers only. We match each hike to your fitness.

What is volcano boarding?

Volcano boarding means hiking up Cerro Negro, a young volcano near León, then sliding down its black ash slope on a wooden board. You wear a protective suit and goggles, and a guide shows you how to control your speed. Most people go down sitting, which is easier and safer.

When can I see turtles nesting in Nicaragua?

Olive ridley turtles nest on the Pacific coast mainly from July to January, with the biggest arrivals usually between August and November. We arrange guided night visits to La Flor Wildlife Refuge, south of San Juan del Sur, and hatchling releases when the timing is right.

How do I get to Ometepe Island?

Ometepe is reached by a one-hour ferry across Lake Nicaragua from San Jorge, near Rivas, about 90 minutes’ drive from Granada. We arrange your transfers and ferry tickets, and recommend at least two nights on the island.

How do I get to the Corn Islands?

There are daily flights from Managua to Big Corn Island, which take about 90 minutes. Little Corn is a 30-minute boat ride from there. The Corn Islands are best visited from February to May, when there is less rain.

Are the experiences private?

Yes. Every experience on this page can be arranged privately, with your own guide and transport, as part of a tailor-made holiday. Some activities, such as turtle watching at La Flor, follow the reserve’s group rules, but your guide stays with you throughout.

How many experiences can I fit into one trip?

In two weeks you can comfortably combine Granada, León, Ometepe and the Pacific coast, with two or three experiences in each. Adding the Corn Islands needs about three more nights. Jeremy can suggest the best mix for your interests and the time of year.