Nicaragua in December

Dry and cool evenings; Purísima (7–8 Dec) and Christmas crowds.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JanuaryGreatDry, green after the rains, windy on the lake; good surf and offshore winds in the south.
• FebruaryGreatDry and warm; Granada's poetry festival some years (check).
• MarchGreatDry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.

• 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 (97 °F)+). A drier spell (canícula) often breaks the rains in July–August.Dry and breezy December–April; León is one of the hottest cities in the region in April (97 °F (36 °C)+). A drier spell (canícula) often breaks the rains in July–August.

• Northern highlands · Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotegacool

  Cooler coffee country (15–25 °C (59–77 °F)); cloud forest reserves are wet most of the year.Cooler coffee country (59–77 °F (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).

• Capital Region: Managua and the lowlands · Capital Region, 50–500 mbest weather

  Dry season roughly December–April; the rains run May–October with afternoon downpours. Managua sits low and holds heat — 32 °C (90 °F)+ most of the year.Dry season roughly December–April; the rains run May–October with afternoon downpours. Managua sits low and holds heat — 90 °F (32 °C)+ most of the year.

• Caribbean Nicaragua: Corn Islands · Caribbean Sea, offshorefine

  Warm year-round, sea about 27–29 °C (81–84 °F). Rain showers most months; trade winds December–April.Warm year-round, sea about 81–84 °F (27–29 °C). Rain showers most months; trade winds December–April.

• Caribbean Nicaragua: Mainland coast (Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Bilwi) · Atlantic lowlands and lagoonsrainy

  Bluefields averages around 225 rainy days a year; March–April is the driest window. Hurricanes roughly June–December.

• Northern Highlands: Highland towns (Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega) · 1,000 m+ interiorcool

  Cooler than the Pacific all year; rainy season roughly May–October, heaviest Sep–Oct. Mornings can be chilly — 15 °C (59 °F) or less.Cooler than the Pacific all year; rainy season roughly May–October, heaviest Sep–Oct. Mornings can be chilly — 59 °F (15 °C) or less.

• Northern Highlands: Somoto and the border lowlands · Pan-American corridor northfine

  Warmer and drier-feeling than the coffee towns; canyon water is low in the dry season.

• Northern Pacific Coast: León and the coastal plain · León, Chinandega, Las Peñitas, Poneloyabest weather

  Dry season December–April, hottest March–April; rains May–October, usually afternoon and evening. Coastal wind picks up in the afternoon.

• Rio San Juan Region: San Carlos and the river · Lake Cocibolca shore and the Rio San Juanbest weather

  Hot and humid year-round; the dry months (roughly December–April) are easier for boat travel and hiking. Rain peaks June–October.

• Southern Pacific Coast: Pacific lowlands and lake · Granada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur, Ometepebest weather

  Dry season roughly December–April; rains May–October with the heaviest downpours September–October. The lake and coast stay hot year-round — 30 °C (86 °F)+ most days.Dry season roughly December–April; rains May–October with the heaviest downpours September–October. The lake and coast stay hot year-round — 86 °F (30 °C)+ most days.

• Granada30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• Altagracia31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 9 rain days
• Balgue30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days
• Big Corn Island29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 15 rain days
• Bilwi27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
• Bluefields27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Boaco28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 3 rain days
• Chinandega33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 2 rain days
• Corinto33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• El Castillo30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 14 rain days
• Estelí28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 4 rain days
• Jinotega26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Juigalpa28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 5 rain days
• Las Peñitas30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• León31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Little Corn Island29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 14 rain days
• Managua31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Masaya30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Matagalpa22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 5 rain days
• Moyogalpa30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 5 rain days
• Ocotal28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 4 rain days
• Pearl Lagoon28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Playa Gigante30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
• Playa Maderas31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
• Playa Santo Domingo30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Poneloya30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
• Popoyo31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 2 rain days
• Rama30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Rivas30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 5 rain days
• San Carlos29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• San Juan del Norte31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 6 rain days
• San Juan del Sur31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 2 rain days
• San Miguelito30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
• Solentiname Islands30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days
• Somoto30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days

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.

• La Gritería

  7 Dec · Granada

  Street celebrations and sweets.

• Christmas and New Year

  Dec · Granada

  Crowds, fireworks and full hotels.

Crowds · Nicaragua

High

Prices · Nicaragua

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Nicaragua, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Pacific lowlands

  Best weather of the year (Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur)

• Granada

  Dry; celebrations around 7–8 December.

• Balgue

  Best months: Dec–Apr

• Bilwi

  Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season)

• Boaco

  Best months: Dec–Apr

• Chinandega

  Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

• Corinto

  Best months: Dec–Apr

• El Castillo

  Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, easier river travel)

• Estelí

  Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler highland air)

• Jinotega

  Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, clear); Dec–Feb is coffee harvest

• Juigalpa

  Best months: Nov–Apr, Aug (festival)

• Las Peñitas

  Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, good surf)