Travel Destinations

What To Know About Traveling To Nicaragua

Nicaragua is bordered by Costa Rica, the Carribean, and Honduras. Managua is the capital city, and it’s the third-largest city in Central America. Nicaragua has a lot of natural beauty, but it’s also one of the poorest countries in the Americas.

Despite that, many people enjoy traveling to the area, and there’s a lot of culture, history and plenty of outdoor activities.

When you’re traveling there, you’ll have to think about logistics, such as what to do if your family needs to send money to Nicaragua if you run into an emergency situation. Beyond the logistics, however, what should you know as you plan your trip?

Where Should You Go?

If you’re going to Nicaragua, you’re likely going to fly into Managua, and there is a lot to do just near this city. One nearby option is Granada, which is a colonial city. Granada is known for its beautiful architecture and its nightlife. Granada is also on Lake Nicaragua as well, which is one of the biggest lakes in the world. Granada was established in 1524, and it’s the oldest European-founded city in the country. It’s also the second oldest European-founded city in Central America and the third oldest in the Americas.

Another place you might consider visiting is Bluefields. Bluefields has a culture and vibe that feels more Caribbean than Central American. The presence of the Creole culture is strong in Bluefields, and the area is located on the Atlantic Coast.

Laguna de Apoyo is a lake that was formed from an extinct volcano, and there are hotels close by that offer kayaks and standup paddleboards for rent. The water is warm because of geothermal activity, or if you’d like to stay closer to Granada, there’s the Isletas of Granada.

If you don’t fly into Managua and you’re instead crossing the border from Honduras, there are boat services and other options.

When Should You Visit?

When it comes to planning a time to visit Nicaragua, you want to keep in mind that it’s hot there and sometimes it may feel too hot to bear.

The best time to visit the country is November to March because this is the dry season. The rainy season starts in March in Nicaragua. If you go between September and November, you’re likely to encounter flooding and potential hurricanes.

Safety

People tend to have fears about traveling to Central American countries because there are a lot of stories of gang and drug activity and overall violence. This is possible in Central America, but one of the situations people most encounter in Nicaragua are petty crimes such as robbery.

The safety protocols for being in Nicaragua are no different from any other destination people travel to, including cities here in the U.S.

However, you might want to buy travel insurance before going to Nicaragua, just in case you are robbed, or something comes up.

Finally, when it comes to getting around in the country, you might take a chicken bus. Chicken buses are American school buses that were driven to Central America. They had their engines replaced, and they’re used for public transportation. They’re extremely inexpensive and often used by locals, so it gives you the chance to enjoy the local culture of the country.