last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Nicaragua
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Location Map of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Nicaragua has 2 sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Leon Cathedral (2011)
Construction of the building began in the mid-18th century and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and, above all, cultural value.
Construction of the building began in the mid-18th century and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and, above all, cultural value.
Leon Viejo (2000)
A few kilometres from present-day León, this is where the first Spanish city of León was built in the 16th century. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
A few kilometres from present-day León, this is where the first Spanish city of León was built in the 16th century. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Bluefields
On the Caribbean coast, in the bay of the same name, this small town with its diverse population remains difficult to reach by land. That’s part of its charm.
On the Caribbean coast, in the bay of the same name, this small town with its diverse population remains difficult to reach by land. That’s part of its charm.
El Castillo
This small village on the San Juan River is home to a beautiful 17th-century Spanish fortress.
This small village on the San Juan River is home to a beautiful 17th-century Spanish fortress.
Estelí
A city in the north with an old centre and surroundings ideal for outdoor activities. Locally, Estelí is known for its tobacco and cigar production, as well as its language schools.
A city in the north with an old centre and surroundings ideal for outdoor activities. Locally, Estelí is known for its tobacco and cigar production, as well as its language schools.
Granada
The oldest colonial city in Nicaragua. Its stunning, colorful architecture has long drawn visitors.
The oldest colonial city in Nicaragua. Its stunning, colorful architecture has long drawn visitors.
The Mosquitia
This rainforest region stretches along the eastern coast of Honduras and especially Nicaragua, inhabited only by a few indigenous communities. The area has minimal infrastructure and offers great opportunities for off-the-beaten-path exploration.
This rainforest region stretches along the eastern coast of Honduras and especially Nicaragua, inhabited only by a few indigenous communities. The area has minimal infrastructure and offers great opportunities for off-the-beaten-path exploration.
León
One of the oldest cities in the country and traditionally its cultural center. León boasts stunning colonial architecture and is located just a few kilometers from the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of León Viejo.
One of the oldest cities in the country and traditionally its cultural center. León boasts stunning colonial architecture and is located just a few kilometers from the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of León Viejo.
Leon Viejo
A few kilometres from present-day León, this is where the first Spanish city of León was built in the 16th century. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
A few kilometres from present-day León, this is where the first Spanish city of León was built in the 16th century. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
Managua
Just a few monuments to see, like the cathedral or the National Palace, in the capital of Nicaragua.
Just a few monuments to see, like the cathedral or the National Palace, in the capital of Nicaragua.
Masaya
The second-largest city in Nicaragua is best known for its crafts and market. You can also explore several churches and colonial-era buildings, as well as nearby traditional villages (the "Pueblos Blancos") and the eponymous volcano facing the city.
The second-largest city in Nicaragua is best known for its crafts and market. You can also explore several churches and colonial-era buildings, as well as nearby traditional villages (the "Pueblos Blancos") and the eponymous volcano facing the city.
Matagalpa
This mountain town is a great base for enjoying nature activities (hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching) or exploring the surrounding coffee plantations and villages.
This mountain town is a great base for enjoying nature activities (hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching) or exploring the surrounding coffee plantations and villages.
Montelimar
A beach resort on the Pacific coast, southwest of Managua, featuring several all-inclusive hotels.
A beach resort on the Pacific coast, southwest of Managua, featuring several all-inclusive hotels.
Ocotal
Not far from the border with Honduras, the small town has a colonial old center and opportunities for treks in the surrounding area, such as in the Somoto Canyon.
Not far from the border with Honduras, the small town has a colonial old center and opportunities for treks in the surrounding area, such as in the Somoto Canyon.
Pearl Lagoon
This is a Miskito locality north of Bluefields on the Caribbean coast, from which you can explore other Indigenous communities.
This is a Miskito locality north of Bluefields on the Caribbean coast, from which you can explore other Indigenous communities.
Poneloya
A small seaside village about twenty kilometres from León. The spot (along with its neighbour Las Peñitas) attracts local and backpacker tourism for its beaches, turtles, and surrounding volcanoes. The Juan Venado Island nature reserve, with its turtles and crocodiles, is right next door.
A small seaside village about twenty kilometres from León. The spot (along with its neighbour Las Peñitas) attracts local and backpacker tourism for its beaches, turtles, and surrounding volcanoes. The Juan Venado Island nature reserve, with its turtles and crocodiles, is right next door.
White Villages
A collection of "typical" villages (San Juan de Oriente, Catarina, etc.) near Masaya, each grouped around its colonial church.
A collection of "typical" villages (San Juan de Oriente, Catarina, etc.) near Masaya, each grouped around its colonial church.
San Carlos
A small town located on both the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua. It serves as a transport hub for boat travel to Costa Rica (Los Chiles) as well as various destinations within the country (San Juan, Granada, Ometepe).
A small town located on both the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua. It serves as a transport hub for boat travel to Costa Rica (Los Chiles) as well as various destinations within the country (San Juan, Granada, Ometepe).
San Juan del Sur
A quiet town, though increasingly touristy, on the Pacific coast with beautiful beaches and excellent surfing opportunities, such as at Playa Gigante.
A quiet town, though increasingly touristy, on the Pacific coast with beautiful beaches and excellent surfing opportunities, such as at Playa Gigante.
Islands
Corn Islands
These are two pretty little Caribbean islands, also known as the Corn Islands, about 70 km off the coast. You can dive, hike, and enjoy their stunning beaches.
These are two pretty little Caribbean islands, also known as the Corn Islands, about 70 km off the coast. You can dive, hike, and enjoy their stunning beaches.
Ometepe
A beautiful and large volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua. It’s known for its petroglyphs, birdwatching, and hiking opportunities.
A beautiful and large volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua. It’s known for its petroglyphs, birdwatching, and hiking opportunities.
Solentiname
This peaceful little archipelago on Lake Nicaragua is prized for its nature and wildlife (birds, monkeys, crocodiles), and secondarily for its petroglyphs.
This peaceful little archipelago on Lake Nicaragua is prized for its nature and wildlife (birds, monkeys, crocodiles), and secondarily for its petroglyphs.
Natural Heritage
Somoto Canyon
You can hike, swim, and go climbing in this beautiful canyon located in the north of the country.
You can hike, swim, and go climbing in this beautiful canyon located in the north of the country.
Lake Managua
This is the other major lake in Nicaragua, on whose shores the capital Managua was built.
This is the other major lake in Nicaragua, on whose shores the capital Managua was built.
Lake Nicaragua
Large lake at the heart of the country. You can cross it by boat and visit its islands Ometepe and Solentiname.
Large lake at the heart of the country. You can cross it by boat and visit its islands Ometepe and Solentiname.
Apoyo Lagoon
Between Granada and Masaya, this volcanic lake has developed a small tourist sector with its black sand beaches and activities like diving, kayaking, or hiking along the shore.
Between Granada and Masaya, this volcanic lake has developed a small tourist sector with its black sand beaches and activities like diving, kayaking, or hiking along the shore.
Rio San Juan
This is the river connecting Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean Sea. You can take a boat trip along it for a scenic ride.
This is the river connecting Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean Sea. You can take a boat trip along it for a scenic ride.
Masaya Volcano
You can hike around this still-active volcano located near Managua in the national park of the same name.
You can hike around this still-active volcano located near Managua in the national park of the same name.
Mombacho Volcano
Next to Granada, this volcano located in the eponymous park offers a beautiful setting and landscapes for hiking.
Next to Granada, this volcano located in the eponymous park offers a beautiful setting and landscapes for hiking.
Must-see & highly recommended
Granada
★★★★ The oldest colonial city in Nicaragua. Its stunning, colorful architecture has long drawn visitors.
Corn Islands
★★★★ These are two pretty little Caribbean islands, also known as the Corn Islands, about 70 km off the coast. You can dive, hike, and enjoy…
Recommended
The Mosquitia
★★★ This rainforest region stretches along the eastern coast of Honduras and especially Nicaragua, inhabited only by a few indigenous…
Lake Nicaragua
★★★ Large lake at the heart of the country. You can cross it by boat and visit its islands Ometepe and Solentiname.
León
★★★ One of the oldest cities in the country and traditionally its cultural center. León boasts stunning colonial architecture and is located…
Ometepe
★★★ A beautiful and large volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua. It’s known for its petroglyphs, birdwatching, and hiking opportunities.
Solentiname
★★★ This peaceful little archipelago on Lake Nicaragua is prized for its nature and wildlife (birds, monkeys, crocodiles), and secondarily for…
Mombacho Volcano
★★★ Next to Granada, this volcano located in the eponymous park offers a beautiful setting and landscapes for hiking.
Worth a look / Other
Bluefields
★★ On the Caribbean coast, in the bay of the same name, this small town with its diverse population remains difficult to reach by land…
Somoto Canyon
★★ You can hike, swim, and go climbing in this beautiful canyon located in the north of the country.
Leon Cathedral
★★ Construction of the building began in the mid-18th century and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and, above all…
Leon Viejo
★★ A few kilometres from present-day León, this is where the first Spanish city of León was built in the 16th century. Today, it is a…
Ocotal
★★ Not far from the border with Honduras, the small town has a colonial old center and opportunities for treks in the surrounding area, such…
Poneloya
★★ A small seaside village about twenty kilometres from León. The spot (along with its neighbour Las Peñitas) attracts local and backpacker…
White Villages
★★ A collection of "typical" villages (San Juan de Oriente, Catarina, etc.) near Masaya, each grouped around its colonial church.
Rio San Juan
★★ This is the river connecting Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean Sea. You can take a boat trip along it for a scenic ride.
San Juan del Sur
★★ A quiet town, though increasingly touristy, on the Pacific coast with beautiful beaches and excellent surfing opportunities, such as at…
Masaya Volcano
★★ You can hike around this still-active volcano located near Managua in the national park of the same name.
El Castillo
★ This small village on the San Juan River is home to a beautiful 17th-century Spanish fortress.
Estelí
★ A city in the north with an old centre and surroundings ideal for outdoor activities. Locally, Estelí is known for its tobacco and cigar…
Lake Managua
★ This is the other major lake in Nicaragua, on whose shores the capital Managua was built.
Apoyo Lagoon
★ Between Granada and Masaya, this volcanic lake has developed a small tourist sector with its black sand beaches and activities like diving…
Managua
★ Just a few monuments to see, like the cathedral or the National Palace, in the capital of Nicaragua.
Masaya
★ The second-largest city in Nicaragua is best known for its crafts and market. You can also explore several churches and colonial-era…
Matagalpa
★ This mountain town is a great base for enjoying nature activities (hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching) or exploring the surrounding…
Montelimar (Nicaragua)
★ A beach resort on the Pacific coast, southwest of Managua, featuring several all-inclusive hotels.
Pearl Lagoon
★ This is a Miskito locality north of Bluefields on the Caribbean coast, from which you can explore other Indigenous communities.
San Carlos (Nicaragua)
★ A small town located on both the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua. It serves as a transport hub for boat travel to Costa Rica (Los Chiles)…
- León
- Leon Viejo
- Bluefields
- El Castillo
- Granada
- Managua
- Masaya
- Matagalpa
- Montelimar (Nicaragua)
- San Carlos (Nicaragua)
- San Juan del Sur
- Corn Islands
- Ometepe
- Solentiname
- Somoto Canyon
- Lake Managua
- Lake Nicaragua
- Rio San Juan
- Masaya Volcano
- Mombacho Volcano
- White Villages
- Pearl Lagoon
- Poneloya
- Ocotal
- Apoyo Lagoon
- Estelí
- The Mosquitia