Central Nicaragua Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by errezeta / Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by errezeta / Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Explore this picturesque region, which stretches from a soaring mountain range through sprawling coffee plantations to the Pacific coastline.

Central Nicaragua is a rewarding destination for travelers who want to explore the outdoors. Its glorious natural countryside consists of cloud forests, coffee farms, lush green hills, rivers and tobacco fields. Visit Central Nicaragua’s cowboy towns and isolated rural villages. Admire pretty waterfalls, hike mountain trails, relax in thermal baths and spot exotic wildlife.

Jinotega is the gateway to outdoor adventures in the region’s north. Hike amid cloud forests and visit waterfalls at the Peñas Bancas Massif. Watch for monkeys, wild cats and rare bird species. The extended mountain mass is part of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, Central America’s biggest natural reserve. Try zip lining in La Brellera and discover tribal villages while walking in Cerro Datanlí Natural Reserve and the Jinotegan Highlands.

Take a guided tour of a coffee farm, trek to summit viewpoints and encounter rundown gold mines around Matagalpa. Travel to Estelí, deep in the heart of the Sébaco Valley. This lively town is famous for tobacco plantations and cigar factories. Find pre-Columbian artifacts in Pueblo Nuevo and browse the workshops of marble artisans in San Juan de Limay.

Journey south to the Boaco department and relax in the soothing hot springs near Embalse las Canoas. Camoapa features ruins of an ancient city and the Salinas caves. Scrutinize centuries-old rock art at Piedra Pintada. Be sure to visit Chontales department to experience Nicaragua’s thriving cowboy and cattle-rearing culture. Watch delightful sunsets from towns such as Puerto Diaz on the north shore of Lake Nicaragua.

In the region’s southeastern corner is the Río San Juan department. Here, El Castillo is a gateway to the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve. Catch a boat to the Solentiname Islands, a small archipelago on Lake Nicaragua.

Reach Central Nicaragua by flying to Managua’s Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and get to your final destination via local buses or on organized tours. Take your time to fully appreciate this scenic region and then relax on the beaches of Nicaragua’s Pacific coastline.

Hotel Hex Esteli
Hotel Hex Esteli
3 out of 5
200 meters north of La Fortuna Hospital, Esteli
The price is AU$145 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
AU$145
includes taxes & fees
14 Mar - 15 Mar
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Esteli. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Museo de Historia y Arqueología and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (151 reviews)
"All the staff very professional and courteous"

Reviewed on 8 Feb. 2025

Hotel Hex Esteli
Vera Eco-Resort
Vera Eco-Resort
2.5 out of 5
Vera Eco-Resort, San Ramon, Matagalpa
The price is AU$100 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
AU$100
includes taxes & fees
14 Mar - 15 Mar
Stay at this resort in San Ramon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions El Castillo del Cacao Museum and Guanuca Cultural Center ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"Had an excellent week at the resort. If you need a quiet, relaxing break this is the place to go. There are several kilometers of hiking trails. You can also do horseback riding and be guided through the coffee making process. The rooms are comfortable and clean. Hot water is dependable. Most units ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jan. 2025

Vera Eco-Resort
Montebrisa Boutique B&B
Montebrisa Boutique B&B
3.5 out of 5
Del Parque Morazán, 3 Cuadras al Este, Matagalpa, Matagalpa
The price is AU$164 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
AU$164
includes taxes & fees
14 Mar - 15 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Matagalpa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Guanuca Cultural Center and National Coffee Museum ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (29 reviews)
Awesome Hotel.
"Hotel is beautiful, surrounded with lots of nature, personnel is friendly."

Reviewed on 21 Jan. 2025

Montebrisa Boutique B&B
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Mil flores de Palsila es una cabaña de montaña con temperaturas de 18-24 grados.
Mil flores de Palsila es una cabaña de montaña con temperaturas de 18-24 grados.
Matagalpa
Stay at this chalet in Matagalpa. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions El Castillo del Cacao Museum and Cathedral San Pedro are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Amazing property
"Amazing property and location, there were some minor inconveniences but nothing to stress about. Downstairs showerhead needs to be replaced and I had issues turning off the living room lights. It's a dimmer switch and sometimes it would not go to the off position. Again, nothing to stress about but ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2024

Mil flores de Palsila es una cabaña de montaña con temperaturas de 18-24 grados.
Cottage Style Cabin
Cottage Style Cabin
El arenal
Stay at this cabin in Matagalpa. Popular attraction El Castillo del Cacao Museum is located nearby.
2/10 (1 review)
Do not rent this property
"The ad says washer and dryer but when you get there they tell you it's not for guests but you can use it. I used it for one wash and it took all the water in the tank so for the rest of the day we had no water. They came to fix it and it took until 10pm the following day. The owner of the property ..."

Reviewed on 22 Aug. 2024

Cottage Style Cabin
La Cabaña Tío Nacho: A Nature Lover's Haven
La Cabaña Tío Nacho: A Nature Lover's Haven
San Rafael del Norte
Stay at this vacation home in San Rafael del Norte. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Cerro Tepeyac Sanctuary ...
La Cabaña Tío Nacho: A Nature Lover's Haven
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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