What is the best time to visit Nicaragua?

Best Time to Visit Nicaragua

The best time to travel to Nicaragua is during the dry season (November to April) and the green season (May to October).

Dry Season in Nicaragua

The dry season in Nicaragua typically runs from November to April. During this time, the weather is generally sunny and dry with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. This is the most popular time to visit Nicaragua as the weather is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and exploring the beaches. Additionally, many festivals take place during the dry season, such as the Nicaraguan Independence Day celebrations in September and the Festival of San Sebastián in January.

Green Season in Nicaragua

The green season in Nicaragua runs from May to October. This is the rainy season, but the rain tends to be light and intermittent. Temperatures during this season range from the mid-70s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. The rain tends to bring out lush vegetation and vibrant colors, making it a great time for photographers. Additionally, the green season is a great time to visit Nicaragua for budget travelers, as prices tend to be lower than during the dry season.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Nicaragua

Nicaragua in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in Nicaragua and temperatures are generally warm and pleasant. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F). The days are usually sunny and the nights are cool.

Events

• New Year’s Day (January 1st): Celebrated with fireworks, music, and dancing in the streets.
• San Sebastián Day (January 20th): A religious festival celebrated in honor of San Sebastián, the patron saint of Nicaragua.
• National Poetry Day (January 21st): A day to celebrate poetry and literature in Nicaragua.
• Las Fiestas de San Sebastián (January 22nd-26th): A five-day festival in honor of San Sebastián. Includes parades, music, dancing, and traditional food.
• National Day of the Environment (January 28th): A day to celebrate the environment and to raise awareness about environmental issues in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua in January

Weather

January is the beginning of the dry season in Nicaragua, with temperatures ranging from 24-30°C (76-86°F). The days are generally sunny and dry, and the humidity is low.

Events

• New Year’s Day (January 1): Celebrated throughout the country, with fireworks, parades, and special meals.
• National Day of the Mestizo (January 5): Celebrated to recognize the Nicaraguan Mestizo culture, with parades, traditional dances, and folk music.
• Las Fiestas de San Sebastián (January 20-25): A week-long festival in the city of Granada, with parades, music, and traditional dances.
• Day of the Martyrs (January 21): A national holiday honoring the martyrs of the Sandinista Revolution.
• San Sebastián Day (January 24): Celebrated in honor of the patron saint of Granada, with traditional dances, music, and parades.

Nicaragua in March

Weather

March in Nicaragua is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the low 90s Fahrenheit. The rainy season begins in May, so March is typically a dry month.

Events

• The International Festival of Granada is held in March, and celebrates the culture and history of Nicaragua. The festival includes parades, traditional music, and a variety of cultural activities.
• The Nicaragua International Marathon is held in March, and is one of the largest marathons in Central America. The race is open to both professional and amateur runners.
• The San Jacinto Festival is held in March and celebrates the culture of the San Jacinto region of Nicaragua. The festival includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• The International Festival of Poetry is held in March and celebrates the literary culture of Nicaragua. The festival includes readings, workshops, and performances.
• The International Festival of Music is held in March and celebrates the musical culture of Nicaragua. The festival includes performances by local and international artists.

Nicaragua in April

Weather

April is the beginning of the dry season in Nicaragua, and temperatures range from the low 70s to the mid 80s Fahrenheit. The sun is usually shining, and the humidity is low.

Events

• The annual National Festival of Poetry takes place in Managua on April 19th. This event brings together poets from all over the country to share their work.
• April is the month of Holy Week, one of the most important religious events in Nicaragua. During this week, many people take part in processions and special services.
• The International Jazz Festival takes place in Granada in April. This event brings together jazz musicians from around the world to perform in the city’s beautiful colonial streets.
• April is a great time for adventure in Nicaragua. The country’s many volcanoes are perfect for hiking and exploring.
• April is also a great time to visit the Corn Islands. These islands off the coast of Nicaragua offer beautiful beaches, great seafood, and plenty of activities.

Nicaragua in May

Weather

May is the beginning of the dry season in Nicaragua, and temperatures begin to rise. The average temperature is around 24°C (75°F), with highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 4mm (0.2in).

Events

• The International Festival of the Atlantic is held in the city of Bluefields, Nicaragua in May. It is a celebration of the culture and history of the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, and includes music, dance, art, food, and more.
• The May Day celebrations are held on May 1st in Managua, Nicaragua. This is a national holiday, and includes parades, cultural events, and political rallies.
• The National Festival of Poetry is held in Managua, Nicaragua in May. This is a celebration of Nicaraguan poetry, with readings, lectures, and performances.
• The Festival of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is held in the city of Granada, Nicaragua in May. This is a religious festival celebrating the Virgin Mary, and includes processions, music, and dancing.
• The International Festival of the Arts is held in Managua, Nicaragua in May. This is a celebration of art and culture, with performances, exhibitions, and workshops.

Nicaragua in June

Weather

June is the beginning of the dry season in Nicaragua. Temperatures tend to be hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 70s. Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 2.3 inches.

Events

• The San Juan Festival is held on June 24th in honor of St. John the Baptist. The festival includes traditional music and dance, as well as a parade and fireworks.
• The International Fishing Tournament is held in San Juan del Sur on the first weekend of June. The tournament attracts fishermen from all over the world.
• The Nicaraguan Independence Day is celebrated on June 15th. The day includes parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• The International Poetry Festival is held in Managua in June. The festival features readings, workshops, and performances from poets from around the world.
• The Nicaraguan Revolution Day is celebrated on June 19th. The day is marked with parades, speeches, and other festivities.

Nicaragua in July

Weather

July in Nicaragua is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F). It is the beginning of the rainy season, so there are frequent showers and thunderstorms.

Events

• The Festival de la Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16th in Granada. This religious festival honors the patron saint of Nicaragua with processions, music, and fireworks.
• The Festival de San Jacinto is held on July 25th in the town of San Jacinto. This festival honors the patron saint of the town with parades, music, and traditional food.
• The Festival de San Juan is celebrated on July 24th in Ocotal. This festival honors the patron saint of the town with parades, music, and traditional food.
• The Festival de Santiago is held on July 25th in the town of Santiago de Puma. This festival honors the patron saint of the town with parades, music, and traditional food.
• The Festival de San Isidro is celebrated on July 26th in the town of San Isidro. This festival honors the patron saint of the town with parades, music, and traditional food.

Nicaragua in August

Weather

August is the start of the wet season in Nicaragua, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. It is also the hottest month of the year, with high humidity levels. Rainfall is common, with the northern and central parts of the country receiving the most precipitation.

Events

• The Festival of San Jacinto takes place in the city of Esteli, with traditional music, dancing, and parades.
• The Festival of San Lorenzo in the city of Masaya celebrates the patron saint of the city with traditional music, dancing, and fireworks.
• The Festival of San Juan in the city of Leon is a celebration of the patron saint of the city, with traditional music, dancing, and parades.
• The Festival of San Sebastian in the city of Granada is a celebration of the patron saint of the city, with traditional music, dancing, and parades.
• The Festival of San Isidro in the city of Managua celebrates the patron saint of the city, with traditional music, dancing, and parades.

Nicaragua in September

Weather

September in Nicaragua is the beginning of the dry season, when temperatures are hot and humid. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F), with highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 20°C (68°F). Rainfall is minimal during this time of year, with the average precipitation being only 2.5 cm (1 in).

Events

• The Nicaraguan Independence Day celebrations take place on September 15th, commemorating the country’s independence from Spain in 1821. The celebrations include parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• The Nicaraguan National Festival of Poetry takes place in September. The festival is held in the city of Granada and features poetry readings, workshops, and other events.
• The Nicaraguan National Folklore Festival is held in September in the city of Masaya. The festival showcases traditional Nicaraguan music, dance, and art.
• The Nicaraguan National Festival of Music is held in September in the city of Leon. The festival features performances by local and international artists.
• The Nicaraguan National Festival of Chocolate is held in September in the city of Esteli. The festival celebrates the country’s unique chocolate-making traditions and features tastings, demonstrations, and other events.

Nicaragua in October

Weather

In October, Nicaragua experiences warm temperatures, with highs of around 28°C and lows of around 20°C. Rainfall is common, with an average of around 200mm of rain for the month.

Events

• The Nicaraguan Revolution Day is celebrated on October 19th. This is a day to commemorate the victory of the Sandinista National Liberation Front in 1979.
• The Festival Internacional de la Cultura is held in Managua from October 16th-20th. It is a celebration of Nicaraguan culture, including music, food, and art.
• The Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on October 31st. It is a day to honor and remember deceased family and friends.
• The Festival de la Mejorana is held in Diriamba from October 6th-10th. It is a celebration of Nicaraguan folk music and dance.
• The Festival de la Virgen de la Asuncion is held in Granada from October 15th-19th. It is a religious festival that honors the Virgin Mary.

Nicaragua in November

Weather

November is the start of the dry season in Nicaragua, which lasts until April. Temperatures remain relatively warm, with average highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 30mm (1.2in).

Events

• November 1st is All Saints Day, a national holiday in Nicaragua. People visit the graves of their loved ones and bring flowers to honor the memory of the deceased.
• November 4th is the celebration of the Day of the Flag, a national holiday in Nicaragua. This day commemorates the adoption of the national flag in 1908.
• November 17th is the celebration of the Day of the Revolution, a national holiday in Nicaragua. This day commemorates the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
• November 19th is International Men’s Day, a global holiday that celebrates the contributions of men to society.
• November 20th is the celebration of the Day of the Miskito People, a national holiday in Nicaragua. This day honors the culture and history of the Miskito people, an indigenous group in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua in December

Weather

December is the beginning of the dry season in Nicaragua. Temperatures are mild and range from a low of about 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) to a high of about 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). December is also the start of the hurricane season, so it is important to be aware of the weather conditions.

Events

• The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8. This is a national holiday in Nicaragua and is celebrated with parades, music, and food.
• The Festival of San Miguel is celebrated on December 21. This festival celebrates the patron saint of the city of San Miguel and includes processions, music, and fireworks.
• The Festival of San Sebastian is celebrated on December 26. This festival celebrates the patron saint of the city of Granada and includes processions, music, and fireworks.
• The Festival of La Purisima is celebrated on December 7. This festival celebrates the patron saint of the city of Leon and includes processions, music, and fireworks.
• The Festival of San Judas is celebrated on December 28. This festival celebrates the patron saint of the city of Managua and includes processions, music, and fireworks.