Nicaragua / When To Visit
When is the best time to visit Nicaragua?
The best time to visit Nicaragua is November through April
As with Central America and the Caribbean in general, Nicaragua’s high season broadly covers a six month period running from the start of November to the end of April.
Not only is the best time to visit Nicaragua on holiday but, because it coincides with the worst of the weather in North America & Europe, it serves as a great warm weather winter getaway.
This six month period is Nicaragua’s dry season with very little rain – especially January through April – the most sunshine and lowest humidity.
That isn’t to say that you won’t get any rain during Nicaragua’s high season, you might well, but if you do, it will likely only be a short shower.
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May marks the start of the summer rainy season but, even then, Nicaragua is not monsoonal and it doesn’t rain all day or even necessarily every day.
It is also worth noting that, during the rainy season, Nicaragua’s eastern, Caribbean coast (including the Corn Islands), gets more rain that its western, Pacific coast.
In terms of the temperature, the lowlands of Nicaragua are hot year-round with April generally being the hottest month of the year. Even then, Nicaragua is never excessively hot and there are countless options for a cooling dip, be that in the sea or one of Nicaragua’s idyllic lakes and lagoons.
Higher rainfall during the summer months – May through October – leads to higher humidity levels while the mountainous, northern regions of Estelí, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Madriz and Jinotega enjoy a fresher climate, especially in the evenings, overnight and early morning.
Deciding on when to visit Nicaragua will also depend on one’s reasons for visiting. Due to the generally drier weather during the high season, this is much the most popular time of year to ‘tour’ the region.
For clients looking to extend their stay with time at the beach, there is no wrong time to do this although, during the summer months, from May through October, it makes more sense to enjoy the beaches on the Pacific coast.
Another consideration that many visitors perhaps might wish to take into account when considering the best time to visit Nicaragua is the light.
As Nicaragua is in the northern hemisphere, and shares the same summer and winter as North America & Europe, it too experiences more hours of light during the summer months.
One final consideration to bear in mind when deciding when to visit Nicaragua is pricing. As with pretty much anywhere one travels, high season means higher prices at hotel, with rates between November & April being significantly higher than for travel in May, June, September & October. This is particularly the case when it comes to travel over Easter, Christmas & New Year.
Not only are prices higher over peak season, but hotels book up a long way in advance, especially the best and most popular. The majority of hotels that we feature are also relatively small so it doesn’t take much for them to book up.
When to visit Nicaragua
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January
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April
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May
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November
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December
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Month by month
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January
As one of the driest months of the year, January is an ideal time to explore Nicaragua, especially if your plans involve you spending lots of time outdoors, ie clambering up volcanoes or kayaking along rivers. Beach extensions are possible to both the Pacific Coast and the Corn Islands in the Caribbean.
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February
February in Nicaragua is much the same as January, albeit slightly warmer and a bit lighter. This is another great month to tour the country followed by time relaxing on one of its many beautiful beaches.
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March
This is perhaps the best month of the year in which to visit Nicaragua. Temperatures are similar to February but there is just that little bit more natural light at the end of the day. Plus, having gotten through January & February in chilly northern climes, you deserve a holiday.
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April
Generally speaking, April is the hottest month of the year in Nicaragua. It’s far from unbearable but you may find yourself looking for shade as you explore beautiful Leon & Granada. What better time to visit Ometepe Island and, after hiking through the jungle, being able to chill out besides Lake Nicaragua.
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May
May marks the official start of the summer and the beginning of the rains. Of course, in these times of climate unpredictability, one could easily visit Nicaragua in May and experience very little rain. On the plus side too, hotel rates start to fall as the country enters low season.
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June
You might have escaped the rain in May, but you are unlikely to be so lucky in June, one of the wettest months of the year in Nicaragua. This is a time to visit the country for its beautiful colonial towns and rich history rather than getting wet on a volcano. If you wish to spend time at the beach, the Pacific coast is much the better option.
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July
While the temperature and humidity are roughly the same as in June, July in Nicaragua generally sees a reduction in rainfall. It won’t be dry, it just won’t be quite as wet. As with June, if you want to spend time at the beach then it is probably best to skip the Corn Islands.
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August
What can we say, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between July & August in Nicaragua.
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September
Ok, we’ll say it, this is probably the worst month of the year in which to visit Nicaragua. If you’re in the neighbourhood and wish to visit, no problem, but we would advise against travelling all the way from Europe when you can enjoy better weather elsewhere. Tenterden?
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October
See September. But not quite as bad.
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November
November marks the start of Nicaragua’s high season as the rain relents, the sun comes out, lakes are full to the brim and the countryside is a riot of multiple shades of green. This is a great time in which to visit Nicaragua and, with the summer rains out of the way, the beautiful Corn Islands can be heard calling.
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December
December in Nicaragua is similar to November but, if anything, even better. The country is still glowing after the summer rains while actual rainfall tails off even further. Christmas & New Year is a great time to visit Nicaragua but you’ll need to book a long way in advance.
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