Nicaragua is a diverse country full of volcanoes, beaches, culture, and so much more. The largest country in Central America, backpacking Nicaragua is a must on any Central America backpacking itinerary. It’s the perfect place to travel on a budget.
Although it may be the largest country on the isthmus, most of the best places to visit in Nicaragua are clustered along the pacific coast. This makes planning a trip in Nicaragua easy, as journey times between destinations are usually no more than a few hours by bus.
I fell in love with this country. With the scenery, the culture, the people, and the incredible experiences I had. At times it feels a little off the beaten path but in reality many travellers visit Nicaragua each year and the infrastructure exists to make travel fairy easy.
Backpacking Nicaragua – Travelling on a Budget & Top Tips
Nicaragua is a cheap country to visit. You don’t need to spend a fortune in Nicaragua, keep reading to find out how I spent less than £35 per day. Here you will find advice and tips regarding everything you need to know when backpacking Nicaragua.
There are many good hostels and guest houses all around Nicaragua. See my recommendations in each section below and when you’re ready to book head over to Hostelworld.com or booking.com to find the best deal.
In León, Granada and San Juan Del Sur (SJDS) there are many eating options. These places all have international cuisine options and more expensive restaurants. If you want to save money and still have quality food this is easily achievable, don’t worry.
Travelling around Nicaragua is easy using public transport (the famous chicken buses) or shuttle buses. To save money I travelled on chicken buses whenever possible, and I never encountered any problems.
For more backpacking tips be sure to check out Long Term Travel Tips – Travel like an expert
Money in Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a cash society, not many places will accept cash apart from some hotels, and more expensive restaurants. Often, businesses will also charge a fee of between 3% and 5% if they do accept cards.
To save money on ATM fees withdraw as much as possible, which is usually 10,000 Cordoba ($280). Make sure you keep this safe, and only take out what you need each day and leave the rest locked away at your hostel.
You will want to take advantage of the street food so always have cash with you. The currency is the Nicaraguan Cordoba, and the notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Cordoba’s. Always try to have some smaller denominations such as 5, 10s and 20s as it can be difficult to split a 100 at times.
In most towns and cities there are ATM’s where you can withdraw money, the cost is about $3USD. At the time of writing exchange rates are as follows and I will use local currency when talking about costs:
$1 USD = 35 Cordoba (COR)
£1 GBP = 43 COR
€1 EUR = 35 COR
$1 AUD = 25 COR
$1 CAD = 28 COR
$1 NZD = 22 COR
You can check the latest rates using the XE currency converter
Beaches in Nicaragua
Nicaragua is lucky enough to boast hundreds of kilometres of coastline on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts as well as inland beaches on some of its lakes.
Las Peñitas, only a 30-minute bus ride from León is an amazing beach with beautiful sunsets. If you need to escape the heat of León, spend an afternoon or a few days here at one of the beachside lodges. Don’t miss out on Mano a Mano Hostel (see below)!
San Juan Del Sur is probably the most famous beach town in Nicaragua and is very popular with expats from all around the world. Nearby Popoyo and Playa Maderas are great surf beaches worth visiting. More details including how to get to these beaches is detailed below.
The Corn Islands are a little piece of paradise off the Nicaraguan mainland in the Caribbean Sea. Consisting of Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island, they are popular for diving and snorkelling. The beaches here are more secluded and tranquil, perfect for a bit of relaxation.
Best Things To Do In Nicaragua
Backpacking Nicaragua can be whatever you want it to be: adventure, culture, relaxation, you choose. I prefer to do a mix of everything.
As already mentioned, there are multiple beaches to enjoy in Nicaragua but that’s not all. Nicaragua, sitting on the pacific ring of fire has 40 or so volcanoes, about 6 being active. Hike them, board down them, be amazed at bubbling lava and most of all, admire them.
Nicaragua is also known for its lakes, two of the most notable and accessible being Lago Managua and Lago Nicaragua. The latter is home to Ometepe Island, an island created by two volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas. Volcan Concepcion is still active and offers a very challenging and rewarding hike to the summit.
Nicaragua is also home to two of the best Spanish colonial towns in Central America, León, and Granada. No stay would be complete without visiting these two towns, exploring the cobbled streets and the busy markets.
Keep on reading below for the best things to do in Nicaragua in each destination on this backpacking itinerary.
How Long Should You Stay In Nicaragua
I think the perfect amount of time to travel and backpack in Nicaragua is three weeks. This will allow you to see all of the mainland highlights without rushing. If you want to visit Corn Islands consider adding another 5 days or so.
3-Week Nicaragua Backpacking Itinerary – Best places to Visit in Nicaragua
Three weeks is the ideal time to see everything in Nicaragua at a reaosnable pace.
As a lot of the destinations on the Nicaragua backpacking route are close to each other you don’t spend a lot of time on transport moving between places. In 3 weeks, you can easily see all the highlights on the mainland.
You are likely to start your Nicaragua Backpacking adventure in one of three places. You could fly into the country in the capital Mangua. Alternativley you may come overland from neighbouring Costa Rica or Honduras.
I entered Nicaragua from Honduras and my fist stop was León and this is where this 3 week itinearary begins. If you are entering from Costa Rica this itinerary is easily done in reverse.
If you arrive in Managua, I would suggest heading straight to León and follow the route below.
Colonial City of León (spend at least 3 nights)
León is a beautiful colonial city close to the Honduran border in the south-west of the country. León is such an authentic raw town you will not see any tourist shops selling the usual tit-tat here.
This is surprising as León is definitely on the backpacker route these days and often the first stop from those coming from Honduras or El Salvador. Don’t miss out on volcano boarding down Cerro Negro, one of the highlights and best things to do in Nicaragua.
Read more about the best things to do in León Nicaragua
Where to Stay in León
I stayed in Casa de Los Berrios and Via Via León and would highly recommend both. At ViaVia León rooms are clean and quiet despite the lively bar at the front of the hostel. There is also a tour company based here making it easy to book any tours you may be interested in.
Casa de Los Berrios offers private rooms at very good prices and they have a lovely courtyard and access to a kitchen.
If you book through my affiliate link to Booking.com I earn a small commission and there is no additional cost to you.
Backpacking Las Penitas (spend 2-3 nights here)
Las Penitas is a small village located on the coast only 30 minutes from León. You could visit Las Penitas as a day tour, and this is a popular option following the volcano boarding. However, I strongly recommend spending a couple of nights here.
León gets very hot, so to be by the sea and cool off is fantastic. You can enjoy some great sunsets here and use some time to chill and relax.
Where to Stay in Las Penitas
I stayed at Mano a Mano Hostel and this place is one of my favourite memories of my trip. Right on the beach, the location is perfect. They have space for yoga and workouts and serve great food and smoothies all day.
I met so many people here that ended up extending their stay as they enjoyed it so much.
Read more about my experience in Las Penitas here: Las Peñitas Nicaragua: Sunsets, stars, and chilling
Backpacking Granada (Spend 4-5 nights)
Next stop on the Nicaragua Backpacking Itinerary is Granada, the second Spanish colonial town in Nicaragua. Granada has a little more infrastructure than León and is the gateway to visit Masaya Volcano and Apoyo Lagoon (Laguna de Apoyo).
These two destinations are both good day trips from Granada, which is why you need a bit more time here. I would actually advise staying a night or two in Laguna de Apoyo at one of the eco lodges. I visited Paradiso Hostel for an afternoon and wish I had time to stay a night.
In downtown Granada visit the famous Iglesia la Merced Cathedral. Climb to the rooftop for views over Granada and photos of the whitewashed rooftop.
Another favourite thing to do in Granada is a tour of the Islets of Granada. This is a boat tour of 365 little islands just off the coast on Lake Nicaragua.
Read more about the best things to do in Granada Nicaragua
Where to Stay in Granada
I stayed at Oasis Hostel and an airbnb with some friends. Oasis Hostel is huge, and includes a small pool, a rooftop to chill, a pool table, 3 free drinks every evening and large clean dorms.
I really enjoyed my stay here but they did mess up the bill for me and my friend so double check your bill before you pay.
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Backpacking Ometepe Island (Isla de Ometepe) (spend 3-4 nights)
Isla de Ometepe is a unique place, born by the eruption of two volcanoes. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy here for a few days and its great fun to rent a scooter and explore the island.
If you’re feeling very enegetic, hike to the top of the active Volcan Concepcion. For something a little more relaxing visit the natural swimming pools of Ojo de Agua.
Read more about the best things to do on Isla De Ometepe
Where to Stay on Ometepe Island
I stayed at Hostel Cocos and Hostel Lazy Crab. I preferred Lazy Crab as they had more facilities and the place was a bit more lively. Hostel Cocos was ok, and I got upgraded to a private room for free but the place was very quiet and the staff didn’t speak English which made asking questions a little harder. If you want to stay in Myogalpa though don’t discount it.
If you book through my affiliate link to Hostelworld.com I earn a small commission and there is no additional cost to you. Please support Walkabout Wes so I can continue providing quality content. Any support is very much appreciated.
Backpacking San Juan Del Sur (SJDS) (Spend 2-3 nights)
The final stop on this Backpacking Nicaragua Itinerary is San Juan Del Sur (SJDS). This is the most developed destination in the country with many North American expats choosing to live here.
A few lovely beaches can be enjoyed and for those interested in partying don’t miss out on Sunday Funday, this is probably the most famous night out in the whole country!
San Juan Del Sur is also the place to come for surfing, with a few beaches to choose from depending on your level.
Read more about the best things to do in San Juan Del Sur
Where to Stay in San Juan Del Sur
There are a couple of considerations when deciding where to stay in San Juan Del Sur as there are many options.
You could stay in the centre of town so it’s easy to walk to the beach, cafe’s restaurants and bars.
There are also a few hostels outside of town. They offer probably more scenic settings but you need to rely on their shuttle services to go anywhere.
The last option is to stay closer to some of the popular surf beaches such as Playa Maderas. There isn’t much near to these places except the beach and you will need to take taxis or shuttles if you want to visit the town.
I decided to stay in the town centre as I like the freedom of walking around and not relying on shuttle buses. I stayed at Saltwater Hostel, this is a chilled out place with very helpful staff. They have an outdoor kitchen and dining area at the top of a small hill so there is some great views over the bay. The only downside is a lack of pool, but I would still recommend this place in San Juan Del Sur
Bonus Nicaragua Backpacking Stop
Backpacking Popoyo (1-2 nights)
Popoyo is a very small town located a couple hours north of SJDS. The beaches here are famous for surfing, although not for beginners. If you really want a place to chill and escape this is the place to do it. I didn’t make it here as I had my surfing desire satisfied in SJDS.
If you want to spend more time surfing, it is easy to add Popoyo to your itinerary.
Backpacking Corn Islands
The Corn islands, consisting of Little Corn and Big Corn are tropical islands off the coast of Nicaragua in the Caribbean. Most people travel here for diving and snorkelling.
The Corn Islands are not the easist or cheapest place to visit so I have not included in my itinerary. You can choose to fly here from Managua, or take a very long bus and ferry journey overland.
If you are making the effort to travel to the Corn Islands I would stay for at least 5 nights and plan to do some diving. If you just want to chill on a beach I would give this place a pass as it’s a long way to travel when there is great beaches on the mainland of Nicaragua.
Two Week Nicaragua Itinerary
If you only have two weeks in Nicaragua you could still do the itinerary above, but it will be a little more rushed. You could take a day or two from Granada and consider visiting Las Penitas as a day trip only.
Read through the guide for each destination and pick what you prefer to do.
One week Nicaragua Itinerary
If you only have one week in Nicaragua you will need to be more selective with your choices. If you are flying into Managua, I would suggest basing yourself in Granada and doing day tours from there to Masaya, Laguna de Apoyo and possibly even a couple of nights in San Juan Del Sur or Ometepe Island.
Best Time to Backpack Nicaragua
The best time to visit and backpack Nicaragua is during the dry season from November to April. You can visit at other times but be prepared for more rain and disruption on the roads. You will enjoy slightly cheaper accommodation prices though.
Transport in Nicaragua
The most budget-friendly way to travel around Nicaragua is to use the chicken buses and local micro-buses. It’s easy to travel between larger destinations such as León to Granada, or Granada to San Juan Del Sur. Tickets will usually cost no more than $5 or so, and I felt completely safe on these buses.
You have to pay in cash on the buses so make sure you always have some small notes with you. I always try to see what locals are paying to make sure I don’t get ripped off. If you speak a little Spanish you can ask other passengers on the bus.
On all the buses there is a driver and an assistant. Initially, you just get on the bus and take a seat (if there is one available). Sooner or later the assistant will come and collect the cash from you. Prices are never stated anywhere so you just have to go with the flow.
I never had the impression I overpaid on any journeys and I found them to be honest and trustworthy.
You can also try asking the assistants for directions if you need to catch another bus.
If you have a large backpack with you try to find somewhere on the bus that has a larger open space. Often there is such a space at the rear of the bus. Put your bag there but keep an eye on it just in case. Always keep your valuables in a smaller bag with you at all times.
Is Backpacking Nicaragua Safe
Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in the region. Many backpackers are moving around the country, and I never heard of anyone having any trouble.
The only place I was told to avoid was the capital Managua. This wasn’t a huge problem as there is not a great deal of attractions and things to do in Managua anyway. I only visited during transit to other places.
As you would anywhere in the world, be sensible and take precautions to avoid having any problems. Always keep your valuable personal possessions with you, especially on public transport. Don’t flash your phone or expensive watch around but also don’t be worried about taking pictures.
If you walk around after dark, you should be fine, but I always check with my hostel if there is any particular neighbourhoods to avoid as every city has it’s sketchy areas. With this knowledge you should have a safe trip.
Food and Drink you must try in Nicaragua
There are a few dishes you will see all over Nicaragua and you should try them at leaset once. You will find it difficult not to try Gallo Pinto as it’s everywhere. I didn’t find the greatest food in Nicaragua, but I’m not really a foodie, so usually happy to eat cheap food.
Gallo Pinto is a fried mix consisting of rice, onions and red beans, and usually served with plantains, eggs and tortillas. It’s common in a lot of Central American countries and a popular breakfast.
Tona and Victoria are the two national beers and always the cheapest option in shops and bars. They’re actually pretty good beers too, no need to Budweiser or Heineken here.
How Much I Spent Backpacking Nicaragua
I always split my costs into four categories: accommodation, food & drink, travel, and activities. I’m not a big foodie and happy to eat street food and eat at cheap restaurants. I’ve never had any digestion problems; I think I must have a strong stomach!
I always stay at hostels 90% of the time and treat myself to a private room once every 3 weeks or so just to chill out and have my on space.
Where possible I will always use public transport as opposed to shuttle buses as the price difference can be huge. Short taxi rides can be a good option when there are no buses but always make sure to haggle the price first. Research online or ask your hostel how much a ride should cost to have an idea.
I never want to leave a country regretting that I didn’t do anything so I always plan any big activities within my budget so I can afford them. Most activities in the region are cheap and can be done independently.
There are always tours offered but I would try to avoid as much as possible as they are more expensive and restrictive on your time. If you do need to do a tour, I highly recommend booking locally when you arrive rather than online.
How much do you need to budget for Nicaragua? - Nicaragua Backpacking Budget
I was in Nicaragua for 22 days and spent a total of £742 ($900 USD), averaging at £34 per day. At the time of travel, I had to have a PCR that cost $80
A breakdown of my costs in Nicaragua are as follows:
I was in Nicaragua for 22 days and spent a total of £742 ($900 USD), averaging at £34 per day. At the time of travel, I had to have a PCR that cost $80
A breakdown of my costs in Nicaragua are as follows:
Type of Expense | Cost (£) | Average cost per day |
Accommodation | £243 | £11 |
Eating & Drinking | £156 | £7 |
Activities | £100 | £5 |
Transport | £79 | £4 |
Alcohol | £76 | £3 |
Other | £87 | £4 |
TOTAL | £742 | £34 |
Notes About My Expenses:
Accommodation Costs in Nicaragua
I stayed in hostel dorms for 19 nights and rented an Airbnb villa for 3 nights with some friends. The Airbnb was the most expensive accommodation in Nicaragua. If I exclude this, the average price of a hostel dorm was £9.
Eating & Drinking costs in Nicaragua
I never did any of my own cooking and I found some great local places to eat that served good food at great prices. Groceries are genreally the same price as Europe and North America so I don’t think you’ll save much by doing your own cooking, unless you keep it very simple. Read my articles for each destination for my top tips.
You must try the typical Nicaraguan breakfast dish called Gallo Pinto. You will struggle to avoid it to be honest, but it’s a good start to the day. A plate will include, beans, rice, peppers and spices.
Activity costs in Nicaragua
I did many activities in Nicaragua and most of them are very cheap such as visiting waterfalls, enjoying a hotel pool for an afternoon or even surf-board rental. The most expensive activity was the Volcano boarding in León costing $30 USD. Highly recommended though!
Transport costs in Nicaragua
Travelling from town to town was very cheap on chicken buses, only a couple of dollars each time. I had two big transport costs, otherwise the cost would have been a lot less.
I booked a shuttle through an agency to take me from Lake Yojoa in Honduras to León in Granada. This cost $60 USD but I think it was worth it. Another larger cost was scooter rental on Ometepe Island costing $15 per day (split 50/50 with a friend).
Other costs in Nicaragua
The largest other cost I incurred was a Covid PCR test costing $80 required to enter the country at the time. I also paid $16 entrance fee to the country. The agency I travelled with dealt with this but I think they over charged me as the receipt from immigration was only $10.
That is a summary of all my costs in Nicaragua I hope this has been useful, please share and like with your friends.
Staying connected in Nicaragua – Buying a SIM card
During my travels in Nicaragua I expereinced some hostels that had good wifi, but most had only ok wifi. It wasn’t very quick and often pages took ages to load – think dial up internet if youre old enough to remember!
The solution to this problem is to buy a local Nicaraguan SIM card. There are two main operators – Claro and Tigo.
You can buy SIM cards from a lot of small convenience stores but I always prefer to buy from offical stores so I know I’m getting what I paid for. The smaller shops are ideal for topping up credit if you need to.
An actual SIM card will cost as little as 50 Cordobas. You then need to choose how much data you want and for how long. They usually have deals for 7, 15 or 30 days so choose which one is best for you.
Make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave home so a foerign SIM card will work.
Where To Next After Nicaragua
If you are lucky enough to be on a longer trip in Central America there is a few options depending on your direction of travel.
If you are travelling south as I was, Costa Rica will be next. Costa Rica was my favourite place for wildlife in Central America. It’s more expensive than Nicaragua but there are things you can do to keep costs down.
If you are heading North you could go to Honduras, El Salvador or Guatemala. Honduras and El Salvador are tow of the least visited countries in the region, but there are some great places to visit. Safety is not as bad as reputation may have you believe.
I didn’t make it to El Salvador but spoke to other travellers who had no problems. I travelled for a week in mainland Honduras, again with no problems.