When to go · Nicaragua
Nicaragua in December
Good month. Dry and cool evenings; Purísima (7–8 Dec) and Christmas crowds.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- High
- Nicaragua
- Prices
- High
- Nicaragua
Verdict
Dry and cool evenings; Purísima (7–8 Dec) and Christmas crowds.
Weather in December
- Pacific lowlands · Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Surbest weather
Dry and breezy December–April; León is one of the hottest cities in the region in April (36 °C+). A drier spell (canícula) often breaks the rains in July–August.
- Northern highlands · Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotegacool
Cooler coffee country (15–25 °C); cloud forest reserves are wet most of the year.
- Caribbean coast · Corn Islands, Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Río San Juanrainy
Rain possible any month; hurricanes and tropical storms mostly Aug–Oct (Iota and Eta hit in 2020).
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Purísima and Gritería
7–8 Dec
Altars, fireworks and crowds in León and Granada.
Christmas
25 Dec
Family holiday; transport busy before.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Nicaragua
- High
- Prices · Nicaragua
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in December
Rated best or good this month
Pacific lowlands
Best weather of the year (Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur)
Dry; celebrations around 7–8 December.