Little Corn beach, sunset, Corn Islands, Nicaragua

Nicaragua Holidays

This relatively untouched culture is overflowing with rare and wonderful wildlife, colonial architecture and an ample sprinkling of luxury hotels.

Once isolated from information, Nicaragua has reinvented itself and it is us who are out of touch with the country of today. Challenge your preconceptions and discover an understated laidback country that will charm and put a smile on your face. Now is the time to travel to Nicaragua before others discover the joys of a country rich in scenery, wildlife and culture.

Chestnut Mandibled Toucan, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Why we like Nicaragua

Nicaragua is rich in biodiversity with sparkling rivers, rainforest, dense mangrove and some beautiful islands, both in the Caribbean and also in the huge inland sea of Lake Nicaragua.

Culturally it is equally diverse from bucolic rural villages to the colonial cities of Granada and Leon, from the compelling and curious pre-Columbian pottery in display in El Ceibo Museum to the world-class art museum of Ortiz Gurdian. But above all, it is about the people.

Granada Cathedral, Granada, Nicaragua
Granada, Nicaragua

What to expect on your holiday to Nicaragua

Bounded by the Caribbean and the Pacific, Nicaragua is the largest Central American country. There are 27 volcanoes in Nicaragua eight of which are active – Masaya is one of a handful of volcanoes in the world where you can see an active lava lake. Nicaragua’s infrastructure has not really gathered pace yet and the typical Central American somewhat delayed response time means that most things happen – eventually. If you can accept that way of travelling, you will find a very beautiful country with not only a rich plant and wildlife but also the impressive faded, grandeur of Spanish colonialism.

Explore Nicaragua

  • Corn Islands
  • Granada
  • Leon
  • Reserva Natural Miraflor
  • Ometepe Island

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Morgans Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa Private Terrace, San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Stay in an Eco-Lodge

Tucked into the forest canopy, stay in an eco-lodge with views of the ocean below.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Turtles on the beach, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

La Flor Wildlife Refuge

Visit La Flor Wildlife Refuge and watch thousands of turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mantled Howler Monkey, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Hiking in Nicaragua

Hike through the forest where monkeys roar from the tree canopy.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ash boarding down Cerro Negro Volcano in Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Ash Boarding

Travel down the slopes of Cerro Negro volcano on an ash board.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hammocks, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Rocking Out in Granada

Visit the surrounding villages famous for hammocks and rocking chairs.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Carvings, Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Ancient Petroglyphs

Visit Petroglyphs, showcasing ancient rock carvings dating back to 1000B.C. on Ometepe Island.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cart Horse in Grenada
Nicaragua

Horse drawn carriages in Granada

Sip a coffee and watch the horse drawn carriages clatter over the cobbles.

Suggested Holiday Idea

White Faced Capuchin Monkey, Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Kayak on Lake Nicaragua

Kayak in lush wetlands on Lake Nicaragua, home to Cayman, monkey and a variety of aquatic birds.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Las Penitas Beach in Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Poneloya and Las Penitas Beach

Visit the beaches of Poneloya and Las Penitas with relentless pounding surf.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ometepe Island, Aerial view, Nicaragua
Nicaragua

Maderas Volcano

Go hiking in the cloud forest on the slopes of Maderas Volcano.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, Nicaragua

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Nicaragua holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

14 days

from £4,455 pp

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Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

La Perla £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

La Perla is one of Leon’s best hotels. It is very centrally located, just a couple of blocks from Leon’s cathedral, the central market and close to the National Theatre and the municipal palace. This mansion has been sympathetically restored by local artisans who have taken great pains to recreate the building’s full colonial neoclassical grandeur. There are just 15 rooms around a traditional central courtyard. The upper floor rooms have views across the city. The hotel has a small pool, bar and a respected restaurant that offers a good range of New World wines.

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Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa is a relaxed boutique hotel set on a palm-fringed beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Exceptional service and facilities compliment the low key and laid back feel of this charming hideaway. Each of the 16 beachfront cabanas sleeps up to four people and face straight out to the sparkling Caribbean Sea. An organic garden provides exotic fruit and vegetables for the table, while the wellness spa offers relaxing treatments.

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El Convento, Leon £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

Hotel El Convento is one of Leon’s most charming hotels. This was the site of the former San Francisco Convent. The lovingly restored colonial buildings and carefully maintained gardens all add to the ambience and character. All 32 rooms are simple but equipped with modern comforts. Restaurant El Victoriano has a great reputation and there is a good range of local restaurants and bars on your doorstep.

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La Gran Francia £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

Tucked away just off Granada’s main square, the hotel is decked out with colonial features from head to toe.

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Selva Negra £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • Wilderness

Located in the Matagalpa Highlands, Selva Negra Ecolodge and Coffee Estate is a long-standing rustic rainforest lodge. Bungalows and chalets dot the grounds and the restaurant is in the main house, opening onto views of the lake. There are 20km of maintained trails across the property, great for horse riding and birding. You may also elect to take a farm, coffee or nature tour with one of the local guides. This is a simple lodge but one of the most comfortable and environmentally aware in the Matagalpa area.

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Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Morgan’s Rock is set in 4,000 acres of jungle, overlooking its own private beach and the Pacific Ocean. Constructed of raw materials the 15 bungalows and three two-bedroom villas dot the hillside, decorated with salvaged items, softened with heritage crafts and textiles. Each accommodation has its own veranda and seating area and five of the bungalows, as well as the villas, have private plunge pools. Choose between a forest or ocean view – positioned at treetop level, it is not uncommon to have monkeys scamper across your balcony or sloth poised in the tree beside you.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull

This volcanic country offers an epic landscape of smoking cones, and one of John’s recommendations is to climb the young cindercone of Cerro Negro before tumbling down a vertiginous slope of light and (fairly) forgiving pumice scree.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Nicaragua

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