Nicaragua Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit for First-Time Visitors

Nicaragua is one of the most underrated destinations in Central America and one of the most affordable. This guide covers the best places to visit in Nicaragua for first-time visitors: Granada’s colonial architecture, the volcanic island of Ometepe, and the surf beaches of San Juan del Sur, with firsthand tips on getting around, what to eat, and what to expect on the ground. It’s a more rugged trip than Belize or Costa Rica, and that’s exactly why we loved it.

Why Visit Nicaragua: What Makes It Worth the Trip

It’s affordable. You can eat well, stay in charming places, and take day trips without blowing your budget.
It’s naturally stunning. You’ll see volcanoes (even one with active lava flow), lakes, surf beaches, and islands all within a few hours.
It’s less touristy. Compared to Costa Rica, it feels more laid-back and local. Our itinerary is on the tourist trail through the country, but compared to other spots, it’s way less crowded and more chill.
It’s compact. You can visit multiple regions in a single trip without super long travel days. Our longest travel days were from Managua airport to San Juan del Sur, which was about 2.5 hours in a private shuttle, then the car, ferry, and 4×4 to our finca on Ometepe Island (the whole journey took about 3 hours). More on that below!

Nicaragua is easy to navigate with a mix of private shuttles and short ferry rides. English is less common than in some countries, but most tourism workers speak enough for basics, and a little Spanish goes a long way.

1. Granada, Nicaragua: Best Things to Do and Day Trips

Granada is the most visited city in Nicaragua for a reason, and it’s easy to get to from Managua airport. It’s walkable, photogenic, and full of small cafes and friendly people. It’s a great base for first-time visitors and remined us a bit of Havana, Cuba.

Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua

Climb the bell tower of Iglesia La Merced for the best sunset views
Visit the Central Park and walk along Calle La Calzada
Shop for crafts at the municipal mercado
Take a boat tour through the Isletas de Granada, a group of small islands on Lake Nicaragua
Visit nearby Masaya Volcano and see the active lava lake at night (this was a highlight of our trip, even if it’s a major tourist attraction)

Where to Eat in Granada, Nicaragua

Try a traditional nacatamal for breakfast
Get a fresh smoothie or street-side fruit plate
Enjoy grilled meats and gallo pinto at a local comedor
Stop by the central mercado for cheap eats and snacks

2. Ometepe Island, Nicaragua: Hiking, Nature, and How to Get There

Ometepe is a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, formed by two massive volcanoes. It’s beautiful, simple, and very quiet. So be prepared to slow down and relax. You should note that the roads are rough and Wi-Fi is spotty. But the views are unbeatable.

How to Get to Ometepe Island

Take a ferry from San Jorge, near Rivas. The crossing takes about an hour. From there, grab a local taxi or have your guesthouse arrange a transfer. We needed a 4×4 to get to our finca on the other side of the island. It was rugged but amazing.

Things to Do on Ometepe Island

Hike Volcán Concepción (this is very challenging, and we skipped it)
Swim in the natural spring pools at Ojo de Agua
Rent bikes to explore the island
Kayak through the mangroves (this was our highlight on the island)
Go horseback riding through mountains or on the shore
Relax at a lakeside ecolodge with hammocks and home-cooked meals

What to eat on Ometepe:

Fresh fish
Homemade gallo pinto with plantains
Cold Toña beer after a hot day of exploring

Ometepe isn’t built for luxury, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a perfect 2–3 day getaway to slow down and connect with nature. Bring a book, relax in a hammock, and view the volcanoes and lake.

Pro tip: Since there’s not a ton of activity on the island, make sure you have a plan for meals. Does your accommodation offer enough or are there places to walk to nearby? Find out before booking.

3. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: Surfing, Sunsets, and What to Expect

San Juan del Sur is Nicaragua’s most famous beach town. It’s popular with surfers, backpackers, and expats, and has a friendly, relaxed vibe. But you should note that it’s really rugged. The beach is not pretty, so don’t come here if you’re expecting to lay out and soak up the sun. It’s still a really fun town that we enjoyed, but if you’re looking for nicer beaches, check out the surrounding area (like Playa Hermosa).

Things to do in San Juan del Sur:

Watch the sunset from Jesus of the Mercy statue
Take a surf lesson or hop between beaches like Playa Maderas or Playa Hermosa
Join a sailing or fishing trip
Visit the Sunday Funday Pool Crawl (if that’s your scene)

What to eat in San Juan del Sur:

Fresh ceviche, fish tacos, and smoothies from beachside cafes with surf views
Nacatamales, tostones, and fritanga from street stalls
Fresh pastries and coffee in town

San Juan is a good place to relax or party for a few days, just make sure you find the right beach and accommodations for your vibe. You’ll find backpacker hotspots, yoga retreats, Spanish language schools, and surf schools. It’s also a hub for connections to Costa Rica or back north toward Managua.

What We Loved About Nicaragua

The scenery. Lake Nicaragua, volcanoes, and long beaches made for stunning views everywhere we went.
The pace. Outside the cities, things slow down. It’s a great place to relax and take things day by day.
The food. Gallo pinto (rice and beans) was served every morning with our eggs, fresh fruit, coffee, and juices. And it was all included in the price of our stay, which was extremely affordable.
The prices. We regularly ate out, stayed in well-located accommodations, and booked activities for a fraction of the cost in nearby countries.

Sample Nicaragua Itinerary: One Week in Granada, Ometepe, and San Juan del Sur

Eight nights gives you a comfortable pace through all three destinations. We flew into Managua on American Airlines from Miami and took a private shuttle straight to San Juan del Sur. It’s about two and a half hours and a long day of travel, but worth it to get to the farthest destination first and work our way back. We skipped Managua altogether.

Nights 1 to 3: San Juan del Sur

Get the longest travel day out of the way first. Arriving in San Juan del Sur after a long connection is easy since the town is small and low-key. Three nights gives you time to find your backpacker beach vibes and explore the surrounding area.

Nights 4 and 5: Ometepe Island

From San Juan del Sur, head north to the ferry at San Jorge near Rivas. The crossing takes about an hour. Two nights is enough to get a genuine taste of the island. Kayaking through the mangroves, swimming at Ojo de Agua, and watching the volcanoes from a hammock at your ecolodge are the highlights. Have your accommodation arrange a 4×4 pickup from the ferry. The roads are rough enough that you’ll want it.

Nights 6 to 8: Granada

Finishing in Granada puts you close to Managua airport for the return flight. Three nights gives you time to explore the city at a relaxed pace, take a day trip to Masaya Volcano, and do the boat tour through the Isletas. The drive back to Managua airport is under an hour, which makes it the ideal final stop.

Pro Tip: Arrange all transport in advance

We used a mix of shared and private shuttles throughout the trip. The long drive from Managua to San Juan del Sur takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Request a larger vehicle for more comfort. We ended up in a compact car and it was a squeeze!

Is Nicaragua Safe for American Tourists?

Nicaragua carries a Level 3 travel advisory from the US State Department, which means Reconsider Travel. That’s a meaningful distinction from the Level 2 advisories on Central American countries like Costa Rica. The concerns are twofold. Petty crime affects tourists in popular areas, as it does across most of Central America (and the world really).

The more significant concern is political, so do some research to see what the political climate is at the time of your travel, consider registering with the STEP program, and make sure you have robust travel insurance.

For standard tourism in Granada, Ometepe, and San Juan del Sur, many travelers continue to visit without any problems, and our trip was completely positive without any incidents.

Nicaragua Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Cash is still king. ATMs are available, but not everywhere. Some businesses take cards, but many don’t.
Internet can be spotty. Especially on Ometepe, plan to be offline.
It gets hot. Stay hydrated and wear sun protection.
Transportation isn’t always smooth. Roads can be rough, especially to rural areas. Shared and private shuttles make life easier. We arranged all of our transportation in advance.
Nicaragua can be more challenging to explore than Belize or Costa Rica. That’s why we stayed on the tourist trail – which was still very unique and super interesting.
Bugs are real. Bring good bug spray and reapply often.

Nicaragua has enough infrastructure for travelers, but still feels untouched in many places. It’s definitely more rugged in many places than nearby Costa Rica and Belize, but that’s part of what makes it unique. Whether you want to hike, swim, surf, or just sit with a book and a cold drink, it’s an easy place to unwind and slow down.

We’d absolutely go back, and next time, we’d add León and the Corn Islands to our list. Have you been to Nicaragua? Where did you explore? Let us know in the comments.