When to go · Nicaragua
Nicaragua in March
Great month. Dry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Nicaragua
- Prices
- Medium
- Nicaragua
Verdict
Dry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.
Is another month better than March?
No other month rates higher than March for Nicaragua in this guide.
Weather in March
- 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, Jinotegabest weather
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 Juanbest weather
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 mhot
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, offshorebest weather
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 lagoonsfine
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+ interiorfine
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 northhot
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, Ometepehot
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.
- Granada33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 1 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 1 rain days
- Altagracia33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
- Balgue33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
- Big Corn Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 8 rain days
- Bilwi28 °C (82 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 6 rain days
- Bluefields29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- Boaco30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 1 rain days
- Chinandega36 °C (97 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 1 rain days
- Corinto34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 1 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 1 rain days
- El Castillo32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 7 rain days
- Estelí31 °C (88 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 2 rain days
- Jinotega29 °C (84 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 3 rain days
- Juigalpa32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 5 rain days
- Las Peñitas33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
- León33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Little Corn Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
- Managua34 °C (93 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
- Masaya33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
- Matagalpa25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 6 rain days
- Moyogalpa32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
- Ocotal30 °C (86 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 2 rain days
- Pearl Lagoon30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 5 rain days
- Playa Gigante33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 5 rain days
- Playa Maderas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 4 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 4 rain days
- Playa Santo Domingo33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 3 rain days
- Poneloya33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 5 rain days
- Popoyo33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 1 rain days
- Rama32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 9 rain days
- Rivas32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 6 rain days
- San Carlos31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 6 rain days
- San Juan del Norte32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 7 rain days
- San Juan del Sur33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
- San Miguelito32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 2 rain days
- Solentiname Islands33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 6 rain days
- Somoto33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 4 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 4 rain days
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.
Semana Santa big impact
Mar–Apr (Easter, check)
Beaches full; buses packed; many businesses shut Thursday–Friday.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Nicaragua
- Medium
- Prices · Nicaragua
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Nicaragua, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Great
Jan: Great
Crowds
Mar: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
Mar: Medium
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
Mar: 1
Jan: 1
March: Dry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.
January: Dry, green after the rains, windy on the lake; good surf and offshore winds in the south.
Nicaragua: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in March
Rated best or good this month
Pacific lowlands
Best weather of the year (Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur)
Northern highlands
Best weather of the year (Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotega)
Caribbean coast
Best weather of the year (Corn Islands, Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Río San Juan)
Best months: Dec–Apr
Best months: Mar–May (calm, dry, clearest water)
Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season)
Best months: Feb–May, Sep–Nov
Best months: Dec–Apr
Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)
Best months: Dec–Apr
Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, easier river travel)
Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler highland air)