Nicaragua Holidays: Granada, León, Ometepe, Surf Beaches & Travel Tips

A By Anna · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Managua Augusto C. Sandino International (MGA)

Flight time

about 15-17h from London to Managua, usually with one stop in the USA or Central America

Best time to go

December-April (dry season); November and May for fewer crowds

Currency

Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO); US dollars widely accepted

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and one of its most beautiful, with a chain of volcanoes running down the Pacific side, two huge freshwater lakes and a wild, little-visited Caribbean coast. Travellers come for the pastel colonial streets of Granada and León, the twin volcanoes of Ometepe island, volcano boarding on Cerro Negro and laid-back Pacific surf towns, all at prices well below neighbouring Costa Rica.

Nicaragua is six hours behind the UK (seven in British Summer Time), uses US-style two-pin plugs at 120 volts and drives on the right. There are no direct flights from the UK, and the political situation means you should do some homework before booking. This Central America guide covers the highlights, the best time to go and what a trip costs.

Entry requirements

British passport holders can usually visit Nicaragua without a visa for tourism, but you will normally need to buy a tourist card on arrival (payable in US dollars) and your passport should be valid for at least six months. Nicaragua is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, which generally allows a combined stay of up to 90 days. Airlines usually submit your details to the authorities before you fly, and some travellers, including journalists and people linked to NGOs, have been refused entry or questioned. Avoid political demonstrations and taking photos of police or military sites, and be careful what you post online. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Where to go in Nicaragua

Granada

Founded in 1524, Granada is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, with colourful façades, a yellow cathedral and horse-drawn carriages. Take a boat around the Isletas on Lake Nicaragua, visit Masaya volcano to peer at its glowing lava lake, and swim in nearby Laguna de Apoyo, a clear crater lake.

León

León is grittier and livelier, a university city with a huge white cathedral whose rooftop you can walk on. It is the base for volcano boarding down the black slopes of Cerro Negro and for the beaches at Las Peñitas and Poneloya.

Ometepe

Rising out of Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, joined by a narrow isthmus. Hire a scooter, swim in the Ojo de Agua springs, hike to waterfalls and see ancient petroglyphs.

San Juan del Sur and the Pacific coast

San Juan del Sur is the main beach town, with a big Sunday Funday party scene, while beaches such as Playa Maderas, Playa Remanso and Popoyo nearby have consistent surf and a quieter feel.

Corn Islands

Off the Caribbean coast, Big Corn and Little Corn have white sand, clear water and good snorkelling. Little Corn has no cars at all. Flights from Managua take about 90 minutes.

Best time to visit Nicaragua

Getting there from the UK

There are no direct flights. Most UK travellers connect in Miami, Houston, Atlanta or Panama City, or via San Salvador with Avianca, for a total journey of about 15-17 hours. Some people fly into Liberia in Costa Rica and cross the land border, which is about an hour from San Juan del Sur, though crossing can be slow. An ESTA is needed if you change planes in the USA.

Getting around

Private and shared tourist shuttles connect Managua, Granada, León, San Juan del Sur and the Ometepe ferry port at San Jorge, and are the most comfortable option. Local buses, often retired US school buses, are very cheap but slow. Ferries cross to Ometepe in about an hour. Car hire is possible, but police checkpoints are common and road signs sparse. La Costeña operates domestic flights to the Corn Islands.

Money and costs

The córdoba is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted for hotels, tours and shuttles. Bring clean, undamaged dollar notes, as torn ones are often refused. Nicaragua is very good value: budget travellers can manage on about $30-50 per person per day, and a comfortable mid-range trip is more like $80-130. Card payments are common in tourist areas but carry cash elsewhere. A 10% service charge is often added to restaurant bills.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.