When to go · Nicaragua
Nicaragua, month by month
The best months for Nicaragua: Jan, Feb, Mar. Months to avoid: Sep, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry, green after the rains, windy on the lake; good surf and offshore winds in the south.Pacific lowlands: best weather · Northern highlands: best weather · Caribbean coast: fineCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatDry and warm; Granada's poetry festival some years (check).Pacific lowlands: best weather · Northern highlands: best weather · Caribbean coast: fineCrowds: Medium
- MarchGreatDry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.Pacific lowlands: best weather · Northern highlands: best weather · Caribbean coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedHottest month; hazy skies from field burning; Easter crowds if late.Pacific lowlands: hot · Northern highlands: best weather · Caribbean coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedFirst rains; still hot; quiet and cheap.Pacific lowlands: hot · Northern highlands: fine · Caribbean coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedAfternoon storms; mornings clear; big south swells for surfers.Pacific lowlands: rainy · Northern highlands: rainy · Caribbean coast: rainyCrowds: Low
- JulyMixedCanícula dry spell some years; 19 July political rallies in Managua.Pacific lowlands: fine · Northern highlands: rainy · Caribbean coast: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustMixedRain returns; Santo Domingo festival in Managua (1–10 Aug).Pacific lowlands: rainy · Northern highlands: rainy · Caribbean coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberAvoidWettest stretch; ferries rough; hurricane risk on the Caribbean side.Pacific lowlands: rainy · Northern highlands: rainy · Caribbean coast: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberAvoidHeavy rain and flooding; some lodges close.Pacific lowlands: rainy · Northern highlands: rainy · Caribbean coast: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low
- NovemberGoodRains ease; roads dry out by the end of the month.Pacific lowlands: fine · Northern highlands: fine · Caribbean coast: rainyCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGoodDry and cool evenings; Purísima (7–8 Dec) and Christmas crowds.Pacific lowlands: best weather · Northern highlands: cool · Caribbean coast: rainyCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific lowlandsGranada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| Northern highlandsMatagalpa, Estelí, Jinotega | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Cool |
| Caribbean coastCorn Islands, Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Río San Juan | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | Storm | Storm | Wet | Wet |