Nicaragua tours & holidays
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, but in Nicaragua, you can do it all. Not only will you be treated to an unforgettable Central American adventure, but the locals are incredibly welcoming and you'll soon feel right at home among the palm trees with your newfound friends by your side.
Our Nicaragua trips
Create a Tailor-Made adventure built around you.
Build my tripNicaragua at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Managua (1.05 million)
POPULATION
6.6 million
CURRENCY
NIO
LANGUAGE
Spanish
TIME ZONE
(GMT-06:00) Central America
CALLING CODE
+505
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)
Learn more about Nicaragua
Best time to visit Nicaragua
Nicaragua has three distinct regions: the Pacific coastal area, the north-central mountains and the Caribbean lowlands, also known as the Mosquito Coast. Temperatures and rainfall vary depending on the region.
Typically, the dry season is from December to May. Between June and October, the countryside is lush and fresh but humid. Even in the north-central mountain area, March and April are the hottest months.
The Mosquito Coast experiences heavy rainfall even in the dry season.
Geography and environment
Central America’s largest country is blessed with one of the most pristine and varied landscapes in the region. Most famous are its perfect coastlines (both Caribbean and Pacific) and Lake Nicaragua with its 310 islands. There are jungles, volcanoes and beaches to explore and with Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua is in good company.
Top 5 island experiences in Nicaragua
1. Beach bliss
Lying back on a perfect sandy beach is, quite literally, the least you could do while in paradise. For slightly more strenuous activities, take a dive into the Caribbean, Pacific or Lake Nicaragua waters.
2. Get fruity
Head inland to taste the real treats of Ometepe’s volcanic soil. Wander through watermelon crops, inhale the smell of citrus and look over miles of coffee plantations.
3. Climb a volcano
If those steamy peaks have you hankering after toasted marshmallows, pack your sense of adventure and head uphill. Volcano Maderas reaches 1340 metres and a climb up here is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
4. Monkey around
Go on a safari, island-style and spot howler monkeys, colourful parrots and diverse plant life.
5. Go petroglyph-ing
The call of Lake Nicaragua’s islands has been attracting people for centuries. Discover cultural artefacts strewn across the islands and try to decipher the petroglyphs’ meaning.
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. However, ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone without paying further expenses.
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.
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.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
Learn more about travel insurance
Yes, all Intrepid trips support The Intrepid Foundation. In this country, we partner with World Bicycle Relief and Eden: People + Planet. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar matching all traveller donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation
Eden: People + Planet
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries, including Kenya and Nepal.