Volcano Boarding, Treehouse Parties and Colonial Towns
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and the perfect option for backpackers on a budget! Easy transportation, cheap prices and lots of cool activities makes this Central-American country a must visit for any traveller! A favourite that is so easy to fall in love with, you might end up extending your stay!
This backpacking Nicaragua travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip!
Routes
Most backpackers arrive in Nicaragua from Honduras or Costa Rica. Arriving from Honduras stop in Leon for some volcano boarding before heading to Granada, a proper colonial town! From there head to Rivas and take the ferry to Ometepe, an island consisting of two volcanos in the middle of the largest lake in Central America! After exploring the island head back to the mainland and to San Juan del Sur to enjoy some beach time on the pacific coast. Hop on a short bus to Costa Rica to continue your journey!
If you enter from Costa Rica then just do this route in reverse. Some people enter Nicaragua from El Salvador instead of Nicaragua, but should follow the same route as those coming from Honduras.
How much time do I need?
For Nicaragua I would recommend two weeks. This gives you a good amount of time without rushing. If you’re short on time, at least 10 days is needed without cutting any of the places mentioned above. The good thing about Nicaragua is that even though it’s the largest country in the region, the distances are fairly short between the stops on the Gringo Trail.
Top Activities
Nicaragua is filled with cool activities, beautiful nature and unique experiences. From sliding down a volcano, to partying in a treehouse, to spending time on an island made out of volcanos, it will definitely leave you with a ton of memories! Here are some of the best activities for Nicaragua!
Volcano Boarding on Cerro Negro
One of the absolute highlights of Nicaragua, and quite a unique experience! Book a trip to Cerro Negro where you will hike for about an hour to the top of the volcano before sliding down on a specially made board! The hike can be a bit tiring because you have to carry your own board, but there’s usually plenty of stops along the way to enjoy the views!
For those seeking adrenaline you can reach pretty high velocity on your way down. Just make sure you keep your ass on the board!
Visiting Ometepe Island
Head to Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America! Ometepe consists of two volcanos that you can hike if you want to! Ometepe has a main town where the ferry arrives, but some hostels are on the other side of the island so make sure you pay attention when booking. Most people rent motor bikes on the island and it’s a great way to explore different parts!
Find some exotic animals or try some of the local chocolate for a fun day before catching the beautiful sunset over the lake!
Explore Colonial Towns
Explore the towns of Granada and León with its famous colourful architecture and cobblestone streets. Check out some local art and try some restaurants for an immersion into Nicaraguan cuisine. Head to the plaza to enjoy some time with the locals!
Relax on the beach in San Juan del Sur
Go to San Juan del Sur to enjoy some relaxing time on the beach, or surf the waves of the pacific ocean! If you’re there on a Sunday, don’t miss the Sunday Funday party! A pool crawl with several bars and pools for a fun day of drinking!
Party in the Treehouse
If you like to party or just want something different, do not miss the famous Treehouse party! Located in the jungle outside of Granada, this place offers a unique party with an amazing sunset! It costs $30 and includes shuttle to and from the party for those staying in Granada. You can also book a night there for a shorter way to your bed, but make sure you book in advance as they do sell out!
Budget
Overall budget for Nicaragua would be about $30 per day. This includes a bed in a dorm, eating local food and using local transportation. As someone who spent months travelling through all of Central America, Nicaragua was the cheapest country by far in my experience. So cheap that arriving in Costa Rica afterwards leaves you in shock!
Food
Like most of the region, the main ingredients are rice, beans and a choice of meat. For breakfast at the hostels it’s usually a choice between pancakes or the local gallo pinto.
Expect to pay less than $5 for a big plate of food, and if you go off the beaten path you will find delicious food as low as $2. Ask your hostel for recommendations!
Accommodation
Accommodation in Nicaragua is super cheap and costs around $10, potentially even cheaper! Also most of them include a free breakfast and a pool is very common as well! You’ll be thankful after spending a few minutes in the heat of Nicaragua!
For hotels expect to pay at least 3-4 times more for the most basic ones. In my opinion the hostels in Nicaragua are a much better option. If you need privacy, get a private room for cheap!
Transportation
Local buses (chicken buses) are pretty easy to find in Nicaragua and take you pretty much anywhere you’d want as a tourist. They are cheap, but often very crowded. If you want to save money and don’t mind getting really close to the locals it is the best option for budget backpackers. Expect to pay less than $5 to go between each city on the Gringo Trail.
If you have a bit more money, shuttles are available through any hostel or local travel agency. These are mini-vans with air-condition and take travellers straight to their next destination and will set you back $15-20. For Central America this is my recommended travel method, although sprinkling in some chicken buses for a more authentic experience is also great!
When to go
The best time to visit Nicaragua is during its dry season between November and May. During this time the temperature will be pleasant and rain won’t affect your activities. The weather can get really hot with a lot of humidity closer to the rain season which can be a challenge for people that are used to other climates.
If you travel during the rainy season you’ll still have plenty of great weather but expect to see rain daily. Rainy season will also give you the best surf if that’s what you’re looking for!
Safety
In general Nicaragua feels quite safe, especially along the Gringo Trail. If you’re staying in the capital of Managua, extra caution is advised. For most touristic places though you’ll be fine as long as you follow some general safety tips and always travel with insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Belize, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Nicaragua? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
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