Nicaragua in September

Wettest stretch; ferries rough; hurricane risk on the Caribbean side.

September is rated avoid. 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.
• NovemberGoodRains ease; roads dry out by the end of the month.

• Pacific lowlands · Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Surrainy

  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, Jinotegarainy

  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 Juanstorm or typhoon risk

  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 mrainy

  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, offshorestorm or typhoon risk

  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 lagoonsstorm or typhoon risk

  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+ interiorrainy

  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 northrainy

  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, Poneloyarainy

  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 Juanrainy

  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, Ometeperainy

  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.

• Granada31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 18 rain days
• Altagracia32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Balgue31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain days
• Big Corn Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 21 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 21 rain days
• Bilwi30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
• Bluefields30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Boaco29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
• Chinandega31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 17 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 17 rain days
• Corinto32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 14 rain days
• El Castillo31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 20 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 20 rain days
• Estelí28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain days
• Jinotega27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 18 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 18 rain days
• Juigalpa31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain days
• Las Peñitas31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
• León30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 377 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 377 rain days
• Little Corn Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 19 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 19 rain days
• Managua30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 22 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 22 rain days
• Masaya31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 11 rain days
• Matagalpa27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 13 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 13 rain days
• Moyogalpa32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Ocotal28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 15 rain days
• Pearl Lagoon30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Playa Gigante31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• Playa Maderas33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 10 rain days
• Playa Santo Domingo33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 12 rain days
• Poneloya33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 8 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 8 rain days
• Popoyo32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
• Rama33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
• Rivas33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• San Carlos30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 20 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 20 rain days
• San Juan del Norte33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
• San Juan del Sur30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 17 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 17 rain days
• San Miguelito30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Solentiname Islands32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 13 rain days
• Somoto33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 6 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.

• Battle of San Jacinto and Independence Day

  14–15 Sep

  School parades; offices closed.

• Independence celebrations

  14–15 Sep · Granada

  Parades and road closures.

Crowds · Nicaragua

Low

Prices · Nicaragua

Low

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

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Bluefields

  Best months: Feb–May, Sep–Nov

Better another month

• Caribbean coast

  Rain possible any month; hurricanes and tropical storms mostly Aug–Oct (Iota and Eta hit in 2020).