(Last Updated On: September 5, 2020)

Not your usual type of guide to backpacking Nicaragua

This backpacking Nicaragua overview will give you a sense of what It’s like to travel through this adrenaline jacked central American country. We’re going to dive into some practical information, useful tips, and a few things to be wary of. This post also gives you a heads up on some basic information to know about backpacking Nicaragua, visa, transport, an interactive map, and accommodation options and my overall experience of backpacking Nicaragua.

Volcano boarding to the Sunday Funday…Nicaragua is your Central American mix of adventure, adrenaline and pub crawls!

Like with all Central American Countries, Nicaragua’s landscape and terrain will jump out at you as much as the adventure activities on offer. This hotbed of active volcanoes and jungles sandwiched between the Caribbean and Pacific seas will blow you away and just makes backpacking this country a pleasure.

As much as Nicaragua is for the adrenaline junkie, It’s a strange mix of having your adrenaline jacked as high as your heart can take to feeling the most relaxed you possibly could. Oh and let’s not forget to throw in some crazy parties for good measure; and no, It’s not just backpackers, Nicaraguans love a good party!

You may have heard of the ‘Sunday Funday’ pub crawl, or a backpacker talking about volcano boarding or even people taking in old Spanish colonial architecture. Well, Nicaragua is the country where all this happens. And to budget backpackers delight, it’s also the cheapest Central American country.

Basic things to know before backpacking Nicaragua

Official Language: Spanish

Is English Spoken: Not a lot

Currency: Nicaraguan Cordoba

Backpacking Nicaragua is: Cheap

To check live rates at XE.com

Visa requirements for backpacking Nicaragua

British Tourists don’t need a Visa, however, we do get issued with Tourist cards at airports with a rough idea of the length of stay.

Check Gov.uk/Nicaragua for more info

Keep hold of these cards as you will need them when leaving the country. If you lose the card you will get fined when leaving the country (It’s a big dent in your budget when you have to pay a fine)

To check your nationalities Visa requirements check here CIBTVisas

Practical tips for backpacking Nicaragua

– Volcano boarding is a must do, one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

– There is a big chance of coming off your board and flying like superman while Volcano boarding.

– Be prepared to come away with a few scratches and bruises but they are well worth it.

– Bigfoot hostel in Leon is the most popular and biggest party hostel – Also a lot of backpacker tours are organized through them.

– Nicaragua is a hikers dreams, so many hiking options, and routes through mountains and volcanoes.

– Street food will blow you away, so many great options for local dishes but also expect a lot of hot-dog and burger stands.

– Check out the markets in Leon, there’s nothing like it.

– Nicaragua is the most basic of the central American countries, don’t expect much luxury.

– You will find better options for accommodation while walking around rather than through the internet.

– Nicaragua is a great place to learn Spanish; the cheapest classes in Central America.

– It’s good to know some basic Spanish as locals don’t speak much English.

– When in Granada if you love pancakes and waffles you must try out Kathy’s waffle house.

– Ometepe Island is well worth the visit.

– Nicaraguans love to party as much as backpackers – Leon is a great night out and great to mix with locals.

– Be prepared for the heat – It gets unbearably hot, there were days I couldn’t leave my hostel it was that hot.

– Beers are cheap but spirits are expensive.

– When in San Juan del Sur check out the other beaches in the area.

– Nicaraguan’s are generally friendly and easy to talk to.

Be prepared to party like there’s no tomorrow at the famous ‘Sunday funday’ pub crawl

Some things to be wary of while backpacking Nicaragua

– Overzealous tour touts will try to sell the world to you but really it’s just an overpriced tour. Remember if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. However be polite to them but don’t accept at first, once you are friendly with them, haggle and get the price down.

– Nicaragua is a very poor country, the people are friendly in general but don’t flash your cash, that will make you a target for petty criminals.

– When doing any tours leave your valuables in a secure place.

– Although Nicaraguans are friendly when partying in Leon on a Friday or Saturday night be mindful of pick-pocketers.

– When in Managua don’t get into taxi’s from the streets, get your accommodation to order one for you.

– You can pay in US dollars in some restaurants and hostels but they will give you change in Nicaraguan Corboda and not at the correct exchange rate. To avoid the hassle even if they insist on US dollars just pay in Nicaraguan Corboda.

– If you go on the Sunday-Funday pub crawl, drugs will be offered to you, unless you know what you’re doing don’t be stupid Police will target you.

– Be sure to check your accommodation out before paying for it (had some horrible experience with accommodation backpacking Nicaragua.)

– Be wary of other backpackers saying they have lost all their money or been robbed; they haven’t they’re just looking for handouts (No time for backpackers like that). Seen it happen a lot in Granada.

There can be political unrest at times, although It’s aimed towards local Government, tourists and backpackers can end up in crossfires so be careful

If you feel like you need Travel insurance for Backpacking Nicaragua, get a quote from World Nomads one of the worlds best travel insurance companies for backpackers.

Budget information for backpacking Nicaragua

Nicaragua is the cheapest central American country to travel, however, that sometimes can become a problem. How? Because when things are cheaper you start to relax with your budget and before you know it you’ve spent far more than what you wanted to. I know because this happened to me while traveling Nicaragua.

Eating in western restaurants will be more expensive. Local cafes, street vendors or cooking yourself will be the cheapest options. Nicaragua has some great street food, especially BBQ meat subs on street grills. Also drinking beers and not spirits will keep your budget in check. (yeah I know easier said than done)

You will find a lot of hotdog and burger stands everywhere you go, although not the healthiest option, they are very cheap!

Tours/activities/excursions

Most of your expenditure will go on tours and activities and trust me, you’ll want to do everything! Many tour operators will try to upsell you, adding different activities on, trying to charge you more than they should. You should always shop around, don’t accept the first price they offer and be confident to haggle prices down. Let them know another operator has offered you a lower price and watch them drive their own price down. However, remember not to be rude when haggling; it’s a game. If you’re rude then they will be rude back and you won’t get anywhere.

Volcano boarding can be booked throughout Leon but Bigfoot hostel is where most people book from and you will find the most reasonable price there.

If you’re dead set on doing organised tours but feel haggling is too daunting for you with local operators. You can get an idea of prices or pre booked tours and excursions through reputable companies like Contiki and Intrepid travel – Or find specific trips through Get your guide. The banners below will take you directly to their sites.

With prices changing all the time, it would be unfair to try and give you specific prices or tell you how much you should budget for. However if you want to check out some live prices these two sites will give you a better idea: numbeo and expatisan.

Transport options for backpacking Nicaragua

Unlike other Central American countries, there is a welcome relief when traveling around Nicaragua because it will not be your main source of expenditure and you don’t have to deal with long bumpy journeys (unless you are arriving and leaving the country by land).

Most backpackers tend to travel across the southern part of the country, however the north does have some amazing beaches. If you choose to travel from the north towards the south, rides can get a little more bumpy.

Getting around locally

– Chicken Buses – Old American School buses converted into local public buses. (Don’t be surprised to see livestock on these)

– Collectivos – Mini-vans that wait until they are filled up and run certain routes.

– Moto taxi (Tuk-Tuks) – run locally in some towns and cities.

Getting around nationally

Private bus – Transnica and Ticabus

Private mini-van shuttles – Safe and comfortable if not full.

Accommodation options while backpacking Nicaragua

Like with all Central American Countries there are plenty of accommodation options. Although there are plenty of hostels available online, Nicaragua has a lot of cheaper options that are not advertised online. You can find cheap backpacker hostels by walking around, just pop in check the hostel out and if its to your liking book at the desk directly.

You will also find some unusual types of accommodation like staying in Treehouses. Find awesome cheap options through Booking.com

– Hostels – A wide range of options to choose from.

– Guesthouses or hospedajes – smaller than hostels run by families.

– Budget hotels – Great to have some privacy and some much-needed air-con.

– Air BnB – Available in Guatemala.

– Couchsurfing – Stay with locals.

– Camping – There are safe spots dotted around Nicaragua to camp.

Looking for a hostel while backpacking Nicaragua? Use the Hostelworld form below to find your best option

My overview of backpacking Nicaragua

Nicaragua was a great experience for me, it’s another Central American country that I loved. The first half of my trip had my adrenaline jacked up with adventure sports, a few drunken nights, climbing Volcanoes, walking around the rim of a semi-active volcano (no chance of it erupting but still smoldering).

All my life I’ve been fascinated by the violence of volcanoes. While I got to see one erupt in Guatemala, Volcano boarding side the side of one was such a fucking awesome experience and one I’ll not forget ever.

The second half of my time was completely the other end of the scale,slow-paced as you can get, relaxing with the heart rate turned to minimal, and coasting through the country taking It’s colonial side.

To be fair even though the first half of my trip backpacking Nicaragua was the adrenaline rush, I actually preferred the slow pace and charm of Granada to Leon (not just because of Kathy’s pancakes.)

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend as much time as I would have liked backpacking Nicaragua as I had to get to Colombia as a friend who coming out to meet me. I would love to go back and explore the Caribbean side of the country.

An interactive map of my route backpacking Nicaragua

If you’re looking to go backpacking Guatemala but not sure of the route to take, this map below shows my route, places I stopped, and will hopefully give you an idea of the best route for yourself.

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