Nicaragua Travel Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Nicaragua

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Nicaragua is one of the countries in Central America that I think is best experienced rather than simply visited.

It doesn’t have the polished tourism infrastructure of Costa Rica or the depth of cultural attractions you’ll find in Guatemala. Instead, Nicaragua is about volcanoes, surf towns, mopeds, hostels, cheap food and some seriously good parties.

I spent 14 nights backpacking through Nicaragua, travelling from León to Granada, Ometepe and finally Popoyo. Along the way I boarded down a volcano, explored Ometepe by moped, surfed on the Pacific coast and experienced one of the best backpacker parties of my trip.

Nicaragua isn’t perfect. Travelling between destinations can be more complicated than in neighbouring Guatemala, the tourism infrastructure is still developing and some of the experiences that make Nicaragua exciting won’t appeal to everyone.

But that’s also the point.

There is something about staying in a hostel with a room that barely has walls, arriving at a beach that doubles as a border crossing and jumping on a public bus because there isn’t an easy tourist shuttle that makes Nicaragua feel like actual backpacking rather than travelling along a well-worn tourist conveyor belt.

And if you ask me what you absolutely shouldn’t miss?

Volcano boarding alone is enough reason to visit Nicaragua.

Quick Facts: Nicaragua

Capital Managua
Language Spanish
Currency Nicaraguan Córdoba
My trip 14 nights
My route León → Granada → Ometepe → Popoyo
Best for Backpacking, surfing, volcanoes, nightlife and adventure
Typical daily spend Around £30–£40 for me
Overall feel Cheap, adventurous and very backpacker-focused

Contents

Why Visit Nicaragua?

Nicaragua doesn’t necessarily have one huge headline attraction that makes people immediately think of the country.

Instead, it has a ridiculous combination of smaller experiences that work incredibly well together.

You can spend one day boarding down the side of a volcano, another exploring an island by moped, another surfing on the Pacific coast and another drinking with travellers at a party in the middle of the jungle.

And then there is the price.

I found Nicaragua noticeably cheaper than most of the other countries I travelled through in Central America. There were plenty of days where I could comfortably travel, eat, drink and do activities for around £30–£40.

But I think the biggest reason to visit Nicaragua is the backpacker atmosphere.

This is a country where travelling isn’t always completely straightforward. You might have to work out a public bus rather than booking a shuttle through WhatsApp. Your hostel might be a little more basic than you expected. A border crossing might involve walking off a boat into the sea and waiting in the sun while somebody searches through your backpack.

For some people, that will sound awful.

For me, that’s part of the fun.

My Nicaragua Backpacking Route

I spent 14 nights travelling through Nicaragua, visiting four destinations: León — 2 nights Granada — 3 nights Ometepe — 3 nights Popoyo — 6 nights It’s a natural route through some of the country’s most popular backpacker destinations, although there are plenty of other places you could add if you have more time. My biggest issue was that I ended up spending so long in Popoyo that I didn’t have much time left to explore elsewhere. And honestly, I’m not sure I’d change that. I’m a sucker for a good surf town, and Popoyo ended up being one of those places where I could have stayed indefinitely. Read my full Nicaragua itinerary for how I’d structure this route with different amounts of time.
infographic of my route through nicaragua

León

León was my first stop in Nicaragua and, for me, it worked best as a short stopover built around one exceptional experience. The city itself is worth exploring, but I found it relatively one-dimensional compared with some of the other destinations I visited. The reason I’d make sure León is on a Nicaragua itinerary is volcano boarding.

Volcano boarding

Volcano boarding was one of the best days I had anywhere in Central America. The day starts pretty normally. You take the bus out towards the volcano before beginning the hike up through the volcanic landscape. Once you’re at the top, you get your board and prepare to descend the ash-covered slope. And then you race. Or, if you’re anything like some of the group, you very slowly make your way down. Some of us apparently managed to hit around 60 km/h, while others looked like they were barely moving. The beauty is that you can largely choose how aggressively you want to take the descent, so the group ends up scattered down the volcano at completely different speeds. But the boarding is only half of what makes the day so good. Once everyone is back together, you climb onto the roof of the bus and watch the sun disappear into the distance. At this point, the day feels pretty wholesome. Then everything changes. The bus ride back turns into an hour of absolute backpacker carnage — drinking, dancing, ridiculous games and a bus full of people who have just spent the day throwing themselves down a volcano. And when you eventually get back to the hostel, the party carries on there. It’s one of those travel days where the activity itself is brilliant, but the people you do it with and everything that happens afterwards make the experience considerably better than you expected. Volcano boarding alone would be enough reason for me to include León in a Nicaragua itinerary. The rest of the city is more of a bonus: a good place to land in Nicaragua, explore for a little while, meet other travellers and then move on to the next destination. Read my León Travel Guide for more on the city and volcano boarding.
me at the top of Kerri negro, Nicaragua

Granada

Granada has a little more going on than León. The colourful colonial streets give you more reason to wander around, there are more hostels to choose from and the city has a stronger backpacker scene. But Granada also has a reputation for its parties. The two names you’ll hear repeatedly are the Treehouse Party and the boat party. I went to the Treehouse Party on a Friday night. The setting is genuinely cool. You’re partying in a treehouse overlooking the forest, with the sunset making an impressive backdrop for the evening. The actual party didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. The music was somewhere in an awkward middle ground — mellow techno that wasn’t quite accessible enough for people who don’t like techno, but not hard enough for serious techno fans. Drinks were also relatively expensive by Nicaraguan standards. I’d give it around 6/10. I didn’t attend the Wednesday boat party myself, so I can’t give you a first-hand verdict on that one. Read my Granada Travel Guide for more on the city and what to do here.

Ometepe

Ometepe was one of my favourite places in Nicaragua. If you’re backpacking Central America, this is somewhere I’d make a real effort to include. The island sits in Lake Nicaragua and is dominated by volcanoes, but the appeal is more than just the scenery. The classic Ometepe experience is to rent a moped and explore. You can spend the day riding around the island, stopping for waterfalls, swimming in lagoons, exploring the landscape or simply finding somewhere to sit and take it all in. There is also kayaking through the mangroves, kitesurfing and plenty of opportunities to get outside. And then there is the nightlife.

Wet Wednesday

Wet Wednesday was one of the best parties of my entire Central America trip. I’m still not quite sure how so many people ended up there considering how few hostels there are on the island, but from start to finish it was brilliant. Drinking games, music, the crowd and the setting all came together perfectly. 9/10. My biggest regret with Ometepe is actually that I didn’t stay long enough. The island has the classic backpacker combination of freedom, adventure and a slightly chaotic social scene that makes it very easy to lose a few extra days. The one thing I think Ometepe currently lacks is a large selection of really good hostels. But with tourism continuing to grow, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that change. Read my Ometepe Travel Guide for the full guide to exploring the island.
sunset over Lake Nicaragua

Popoyo

I spent six nights in Popoyo, making it the longest stop on my Nicaragua trip. And if you’ve read my other Central America guides, you’ll probably know why. I love a surf town. Popoyo reminded me of El Paredón in Guatemala: good hostels, good people, good food, cheap living and plenty of opportunities to spend your days in the water. There isn’t a huge list of tourist attractions that you need to tick off. That’s the appeal. You surf. You eat. You meet people. You watch the sunset. You do it again. The surf was good, the atmosphere was exactly what I look for in a backpacker destination and six nights disappeared surprisingly quickly. For me, Popoyo was the perfect place to slow down after moving between destinations. Read my Popoyo Travel Guide for a closer look at the town and what it’s like to stay there.

What Is Nicaragua Like for Backpacking?

If I had to describe Nicaragua in one phrase, I’d say:

It feels like proper backpacking.

Nicaragua doesn’t have the same level of tourism infrastructure as Guatemala.

In Guatemala, I could often send a WhatsApp message to a shuttle company and have my next journey organised within minutes.

Nicaragua wasn’t always like that.

Sometimes there are tourist shuttles. Other times you have to work out the public bus system yourself.

I used public buses several times and had no major problems, but travelling between destinations can require a little more effort.

And then there are the hostels.

Some are excellent. Others are decidedly more basic.

At one point I stayed somewhere where the room essentially had no walls.

But rather than ruining the experience, I actually enjoyed that side of Nicaragua.

The country’s lack of tourism development is simultaneously one of its biggest weaknesses and one of its biggest strengths.

It makes things less convenient.

But it also makes the experience feel less sterile.

Getting Around Nicaragua

Getting between Nicaragua’s main destinations is possible, but I wouldn’t expect everything to be as seamless as it is in some of the more developed backpacking destinations in Central America. There are tourist shuttles connecting popular destinations, but you’ll sometimes need to use public buses. I did this several times and had no issues. Ometepe is slightly different. Once you’re on the island, renting a moped is one of the best ways to explore independently. Quad bikes are another option and can be preferable for some travellers. Read my Getting Around Nicaragua guide for the practical details of travelling between the country’s main destinations.

Is Nicaragua Safe?

Before visiting Nicaragua, safety was something I had heard discussed more than in some of the countries I’d already travelled through. My own experience was very different from some of the stories I’d heard. I personally had no negative experiences and generally felt safe while travelling through Nicaragua. The border crossing was uncomfortable and chaotic, but I never felt genuinely unsafe there. My experience was also different from what female travellers I met told me. Several women described considerably more unwanted attention and catcalling than they’d experienced elsewhere in Central America. In León and Granada, I was also approached several times in broad daylight by people trying to sell drugs. None of these experiences meant that I personally felt unsafe, but they’re worth being aware of when deciding whether Nicaragua is the right destination for you. I’ve covered this in much more detail in my dedicated Is Nicaragua Safe? guide.

How Much Does Nicaragua Cost?

Nicaragua was noticeably cheap compared with most of the other countries I travelled through. There were plenty of days where I spent around £30–£40 without feeling like I was particularly restricting myself. Accommodation, food, transport, activities and nightlife can all be relatively affordable, although costs obviously vary depending on how you travel. For a full breakdown of what I actually spent: Read: How Much Does Nicaragua Cost?

Where to Stay in Nicaragua

Where you stay in Nicaragua depends heavily on the type of experience you’re looking for. León works well as a short stop around the city’s attractions and volcano boarding. Granada has more hostel choice and a strong social scene. Ometepe is all about island life, adventure and the backpacker atmosphere. Popoyo is the place to settle into the surf-town lifestyle. I’ve broken down the best places and areas to stay in my dedicated Where to Stay in Nicaragua guide.

How Long Do You Need in Nicaragua?

I’d recommend around two weeks if you’re travelling Nicaragua as part of a wider Central America backpacking trip.

My own 14-night trip gave me enough time to experience four very different destinations without feeling like I was constantly rushing.

However, I’d be tempted to spend longer on Ometepe and possibly less time elsewhere if I were doing the trip again.

There are also plenty of other destinations you can add to your route if you have more time.

The important thing is not to underestimate how easy it is to lose days in places like Ometepe and Popoyo.

I certainly did.

Is Nicaragua Worth Visiting?

For a Central America backpacking trip, I think Nicaragua is a must-include.

I’m less convinced I’d choose Nicaragua for a standalone two-week holiday over somewhere like Guatemala.

That’s because Nicaragua’s appeal comes from the combination of experiences rather than one huge collection of cultural or historical attractions.

You come for the volcanoes.

Then you discover the surf towns.

Then you end up renting a moped around Ometepe.

Then somebody tells you about a party happening that night.

Then suddenly you’ve spent six nights somewhere you expected to stay for three.

That’s Nicaragua.

It’s cheap, it’s social, it’s adventurous and it still feels like tourism hasn’t completely taken over.

And although the developing infrastructure can occasionally be frustrating, I think that’s also part of what makes the country special.

Nicaragua doesn’t always make backpacking easy. It just makes it fun.

Nicaragua Travel FAQs

Is Nicaragua good for backpacking?

Yes. Nicaragua is particularly well suited to backpackers who enjoy social hostels, nightlife, surfing, adventure activities and travelling independently.

How many days do you need in Nicaragua?

I’d recommend around two weeks for a first trip. My own trip lasted 14 nights and covered León, Granada, Ometepe and Popoyo.

Is Nicaragua cheap?

Yes. I found Nicaragua noticeably cheaper than most of the other Central American countries I visited, and often spent around £30–£40 per day.

What is Nicaragua famous for?

Nicaragua is particularly known for its volcanoes, Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe Island, surfing, colonial cities and backpacker nightlife. Volcano boarding around León is one of the country’s most distinctive experiences.

What are the best places to visit in Nicaragua?

For the route I travelled, I’d look at León, Granada, Ometepe and Popoyo. Each offers something quite different, which is part of what makes the route work so well.

Is Nicaragua good for a solo traveller?

The strong hostel and backpacker culture makes Nicaragua well suited to social independent travel. Ometepe and Popoyo in particular had strong backpacker atmospheres during my trip.

Is Nicaragua better as part of a Central America trip?

In my experience, yes. Nicaragua works particularly well as one section of a wider Central America backpacking route, where its beaches, volcanoes, nightlife and backpacker culture complement the experiences you’ll find in neighbouring countries.

Final Thoughts

Nicaragua was great fun.

It isn’t the most polished country I’ve travelled through, and it doesn’t have the same depth of culture and history as Guatemala.

But that’s not really what I went to Nicaragua for.

I went for volcanoes, beaches, surfing, parties, mopeds, cheap days and the feeling of travelling somewhere that was still a little rough around the edges.

And it delivered.

Volcano boarding was one of the best days of my entire Central America trip. Ometepe was one of my favourite stops. Popoyo was exactly the kind of surf town I love. And Wet Wednesday was one of the best parties I experienced.

If you’re travelling through Central America, I’d make room for Nicaragua.

Just don’t be surprised if the country makes you throw your original itinerary out of the window.

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