1. Home
  2. Destinations
  3. Central America
  4. Nicaragua

Central America’s largest, but least densely populated, country overflows with natural beauty.

It can be hard to choose between chatting with monkeys, climbing volcanoes or picking a banana straight from the tree. The locals are incredibly welcoming and you’ll find new friends at every turn.

Lock in your 2020 holiday for €1

Book a 2020 trip by 29 February and you’ll only pay a €1 deposit to secure your spot.

Terms & Conditions

Top Nicaragua travel deals

Departing Days From EUR
21 Mar 2020
Best of Nicaragua 		9 1120
1008
View Trip

Our Nicaragua trips

Search all similar trips
Map of Central American Journey including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Central American Journey
17 Days From 1215

See Central America on a 17-day Lonely Planet Experience of Guatemala, Honduras, El...

View Trip
Map of Central American Adventure including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

Central American Adventure
33 Days From 2228

Tour jungle ruins and Caribbean coastline on a 33-day Lonely Planet Experience to...

View Trip
Map of Guatemala & Beyond including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Guatemala & Beyond

9 Days From 780

Discover the tropics and ancient wonder of Central America on a nine-day Lonely Planet...

View Trip
Map of Best of Central America including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

Best of Central America
45 Days From 3230

Tour Central America on an epic 45-day Lonely Planet Experience from Mexico to Panama,...

View Trip
Map of Amazing Central America including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Amazing Central America
29 Days From 2135

Spend 29 days visiting Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and...

View Trip
Ages 18 to 29
Map of Epic Mexico to Costa Rica including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico

Epic Mexico to Costa Rica
32 Days From 2219

Spend 32 days exploring the beaches, ruins, jungles and jungle ruins of Belize, Costa...

View Trip
Map of Ultimate Central America including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

Ultimate Central America
59 Days From 4325

This 59-day Central American Lonely Planet Experience heads from Mexico City to Panama...

View Trip
Ages 18 to 29
Map of Real Guatemala to Costa Rica including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua

Real Guatemala to Costa Rica
17 Days From 1166

Take a small-group tour through Central America. A place of incredible wildlife, active...

View Trip
Ages 18 to 29
Map of Epic Central America including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico

Epic Central America
46 Days From 3311

Take an epic adventure through Central America. A place of incredible wildlife, active...

View Trip
Map of Central America Explorer including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

Central America Explorer
47 Days From 3395

Head on this epic 47-day Central American Lonely Planet Experience through Mexico,...

View Trip
Map of Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama including Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama

Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama
15 Days From 2495

Ride across the many and varied landscapes of Central America on a cycling tour of...

View Trip
Map of Nicaragua & Costa Rica including Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Nicaragua & Costa Rica
10 Days From 581

Discover the best of Nicaragua and Costa Rica on an all-encompassing adventure,...

View Trip
Map of Cycle Nicaragua & Costa Rica including Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Cycle Nicaragua & Costa Rica
8 Days From 1260

Ride across the many and varied landscapes of Central America on a cycling tour of...

View Trip
Map of Best of Nicaragua including Nicaragua

Best of Nicaragua

9 Days From 995

An overlooked gem in Central America, Nicaragua offers some enticing contrasts. Find...

View Trip
Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Nicaragua tour reviews

Articles on Nicaragua

Sep 02, 2019

The top 9 destinations for travel in July 2020

Whether you’ve always wanted to get off the beaten track in Romania, watch the...

Aug 10, 2018

5 reasons why visiting Central America on a...

One of the greatest perks of group travel is having ready-made friends to explore...

Jul 24, 2018

30 photos that will inspire you to visit...

Starting in Antigua, Guatemala and finishing in San Jose, Costa Rica, the trip...

Mar 22, 2018

5 reasons why I fell for Leon, Nicaragua (and...

One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon is how it truly feels like a city of...

Jun 08, 2017

Interested in ecotourism? Here’s why you should...

Defined by lakes and volcanoes, abuzz with coffee harvests and influenced by the...

Apr 13, 2017

Why Granada is Central America’s must-visit city

Quite possibly the most laid-back and accessible city in Central America, Granada...

Sep 11, 2014

Move over Mexico: 7 awesome foods from Central...

Move over Mexico, your neighbours have some pretty sensational tastebud pleasers...

Nicaragua travel highlights

Building facades with colonial architecture

Granada

Explore Granada's charming colonial streets

Small lagoon surrounded by lush green forest on a mountain top

Volcano Maderas

Hike to a lagoon on the summit of Volcano Maderas

Wide view of two conical volcanic mountains protruding from green forest sitting on a giant lake

Ometepe Island

Take a boat to Lake Nicaragua’s Ometepe Island

Nicaragua holiday information

At a glance

Best time to visit Nicaragua

Geography and environment

Health and Safety

Handy Links

Top 5 Island Experiences in Nicaragua

Further Reading

Nicaragua travel FAQs

NICARAGUA:
Australia: Not required
Belgium: Not required
Canada: Not required
Germany: Not required
Ireland: Not required
Netherlands: Not required
New Zealand: Not required
South Africa: Not required
Switzerland: Not required
United Kingdom: Not required
USA: Not required

Please note that although a visa is not required, holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and most EU passports are now required to pay US$10 for a tourist card on arrival.

Tipping isn’t expected in Nicaragua but if you’ve received good service consider a 10% tip. Some high-end restaurants may include a service charge on your bill.

There are plenty of internet cafes available in the main towns.

Reception is good in most coastal and urban areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.

It's likely that you’ll encounter different types of toilets while travelling in Nicaragua. Western-style flushable toilets are commonly found in high-end resorts, hotels and restaurants, while squat toilets are common in rural areas and homes. Be prepared by carrying your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

Bottle of soft drink = 20 NIO
Beer in a bar or restaurant = 25 NIO
Simple lunch = 75 NIO
Three-course meal = 150 NIO
Short taxi ride = 50 NIO

Drinking tap water in Nicaragua isn’t recommended. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Credit cards are widely accepted.

There’s good access to ATMs in nearly all towns and cities.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey. 

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

  • 1 Jan New Year's Day
  • 13 Apr Holy Thursday
  • 14 Apr Good Friday
  • 1 May Labor Day
  • 19 Jul Liberation Day
  • 14 Sep Battle of San Jacinto
  • 15 Sep Independence Day
  • 8 Dec Immaculate Conception
  • 25 Dec Christmas Day

Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Nicaragua go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/nicaragua/public-holidays

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

A group sailing in Nicaragua

How we're giving back

In Nicaragua, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.