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Best time to visit Nicaragua: month by month
Short answer
December to April is the dry season, with highs of 32–34°C and only 5–8 rainy days a month, and the busiest time for travel. November and December are particularly green just after the rains. May to October is the rainy season, with afternoon storms on 18–28 days a month, muddy hikes and good surf on the Pacific.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°C | 23°C | 5 | high |
| Feb | 32°C | 23°C | 6 | high |
| Mar | 33°C | 23°C | 6 | high |
| Apr | 34°C | 24°C | 8 | very high |
| May | 33°C | 24°C | 18 | low |
| Jun | 31°C | 24°C | 25 | low |
| Jul | 31°C | 25°C | 25 | medium |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | 24 | low |
| Sep | 31°C | 24°C | 25 | low |
| Oct | 31°C | 24°C | 28 | low |
| Nov | 31°C | 24°C | 21 | medium |
| Dec | 32°C | 24°C | 9 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
The hottest weeks, at 33–34°C with lows of 23–24°C; dry until May, when rain returns (about 18 days).
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Rainy season, with highs of 31°C and 24–25 rainy days, usually afternoon storms; green landscapes and big surf.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The wettest stretch, with 25–28 rainy days in September and October, easing in November (about 21).
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry and sunny, with highs of 32°C, lows of 23–24°C and only 5–9 rainy days; peak season.
Events worth planning around
- La Purísima and La Gritería, celebrations of the Virgin Mary, especially in León (7–8 December).
- Semana Santa (Easter week), when beaches fill with Nicaraguans (March or April).
- Fiestas Patrias, independence celebrations (14–15 September).
- Fiestas de Santo Domingo in Managua (early August).
When to avoid
September and October are the wettest months, with flooded rural roads and muddy volcano trails. Semana Santa and Christmas–New Year are crowded at beaches and on Ometepe.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Nicaragua?
December to April, the dry season, with sunshine and highs of 32–34°C. November and December are the greenest dry months.
When is the rainy season in Nicaragua?
May to October, wettest in September and October. Storms usually come in the afternoon, so mornings are often clear.
When is the best surf in Nicaragua?
The rainy season (roughly April to October) brings the biggest swells on the Pacific; dry-season offshore winds suit beginners.