An incredible all around experience, Nicaragua embraces visitors with diverse offerings of pristine forests, wave-battered Pacific beaches, idyllic islands, sensational beaches, colonial architecture, and volcanic landscapes. Good friends of mine who own an Edmonton photo booth rental company recently visited Nicaragua and had nothing but great things to say about it. Whether it is paddling out to the Pacific or dipping your toes into the Caribbean, the beaches here always deliver the goods.
Nicaragua’s anything-goes attitude, intense energy, and diverse geography is perfect for thrilling outdoor adventures. Be prepared to check off lots of experiences from your list including swimming across sea channels, canoeing through alligator-infested wetlands, diving into underwater caves, and surfing down an active volcano. Here are the top attractions in Nicaragua.
Monumento Nacional Canon de Somoto
The longest river in Central America, the Wangki (or Coco) runs through the Caribbean, but the Monumento Nacional Canon de Somoto is its most spectacular impression. This canyon is definitely an unmissable experience. There are 3 routes to explore in the Monumento Nacional Canon de Somoto. The footing won’t always be comfortable, so sandals and reef shoes can help a lot, and you will have more fun if you are fit. Within the canyon, there is a deep stretch of about 200 meters where you will have to swim. The full 6 hours, the 13-kilometer circuit will take you to 2 bat caves above the rim before hiking down the river, swimming through rapids and leaping off 8-meter rocks into swimming holes. We recommend this version for nature fanatics as you will hike through pristine landscapes and see the meeting point of the Comali and Tapacali rivers.
Isla Juan Venado
This 20-kilometer long barrier island has many wildlife and swimming holes, including mosquitoes galore, hundreds of nesting turtles, crocodiles, and migrating bird species. On one side of the island, you will find wild and long beaches just facing the Pacific, on another, black and red mangroves reflected in the lagoons. For the best opportunities for wildlife-watching, it is best to go at sunset or dawn, or at low tide if you are particularly interested in birds.
Convento San Francisco
Convento San Francisco is one of Central America’s oldest churches and boasts a robin’s egg-blue façade and also houses one of the region’s best museums. The museum that focuses on the pre-Columbian people of Nicaragua is the highlight here. Other museum highlights include a scale model of the city, primitivist art, and a group of papier-mache of the indigenous people relaxing in hammocks and cooking. The church was constructed originally in 1585, burned to the ground subsequently by pirates and later rebuilt in 1868 by William Walker.
Little Corn Island
With no noise and no cars, just secluded coves and white-sand beaches, Little Corn Island is the best place to take a break from the bustling city. There is plenty of activities to keep you occupied while here, including diving through underground caves or hammerhead sharks or kitesurfing. Add some delicious food to the mix and it is not surprising that many people find it quite hard to leave.