The best time to visit Nicaragua’s Pacific coast is December to April, the dry season, when it rains on only a handful of days a month. For fewer people, lower prices and bigger surf, come in the green season (May to November), especially July and August, when a drier spell usually breaks up the rain.
Full disclosure: we’re a vacation rental and trip-planning team based in Tola, on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, so this guide is written from here. Weather figures are long-term averages for San Juan del Sur, about an hour south of us; real years vary. Everything below was checked in October 2026.
Jump to: Quick answer · The two seasons · Month by month · Surf · Turtles and whales · Holidays · FAQ
The quick answer
- Most reliable sunshine: January to April. March is the driest month.
- Best value and fewer people: May, June, November and early December.
- Best surf for experienced surfers: roughly April or May to October, when the big southern swells arrive.
- Best for learning to surf: December to March, when the waves are smaller and the wind blows offshore.
- Sea turtle nesting: July to January, peaking in September and October.
- Months to think twice about: September and October, the wettest of the year.
- Book early for: Christmas and New Year, Easter week (21 to 28 March 2027) and July, when local schools are on holiday.
Nicaragua’s two seasons
Nicaragua doesn’t have summer and winter in the usual sense. It’s warm all year, and the seasons are about rain.
Dry season (December to April)
Locals call this verano, summer. Days are sunny, the countryside turns gold and brown, and the wind blows steadily off Lake Nicaragua towards the ocean. That wind keeps the coast feeling fresher than the thermometer suggests. It’s the most popular time to visit, so homes and flights cost more and book up first.
Green season (May to November)
Locals call this invierno, winter, even though it’s just as warm. Rain usually comes as an afternoon or evening downpour after a sunny morning, rather than days of grey. Everything turns green, the dust disappears and there are fewer visitors. Nicaragua usually gets a drier spell in July and August, called the canícula, which makes those months a good compromise. September and October bring the most rain, and some dirt roads get muddy, so a high-clearance car helps.
Nicaragua weather month by month
| Month | High / low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | Sea (°C) | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30 / 21 | 20 | 7 | 26 | Dry, breezy, sunny. High season after New Year. |
| February | 31 / 21 | 5 | 5 | 26 | Dry and windy. Small, clean waves for beginners. |
| March | 32 / 22 | 5 | 5 | 26 | The driest month. Easter week is busy (21 to 28 March 2027). |
| April | 32 / 22 | 15 | 7 | 27 | Hot and dry. The hottest month inland, like Granada. |
| May | 32 / 23 | 163 | 17 | 28 | The rains start, usually mid-month. Green and quiet. |
| June | 30 / 22 | 272 | 23 | 28 | Regular afternoon storms. Bigger surf arrives. |
| July | 31 / 23 | 193 | 20 | 28 | Drier spell (canícula) usually starts. Local school holidays. |
| August | 31 / 22 | 203 | 21 | 28 | Canícula continues for part of the month. Turtle nesting begins. |
| September | 30 / 22 | 300 | 24 | 28 | Very wet. Peak turtle nesting. Lowest prices. |
| October | 30 / 22 | 366 | 21 | 28 | The wettest month. Peak turtle nesting continues. |
| November | 30 / 21 | 117 | 12 | 27 | Rain easing, everything still green. A good-value month. |
| December | 30 / 21 | 38 | 9 | 27 | Dry season returns. Busy from mid-December. |
Source: Weather2Travel long-term averages for San Juan del Sur, rounded. Weather Spark puts the wetter season in Rivas at roughly mid-May to early November.
The best time to visit Nicaragua with kids
For most families, January to April is easiest. Beaches are dry, roads are dusty but simple, and you can plan beach days with confidence. Two things to know:
- The wind. From about November to March the offshore wind can be strong, especially around San Juan del Sur. It’s great for surfers, but sand can blow on open beaches. Sheltered spots like the bay at Playa Gigante, Beginners Bay in Popoyo and Playa Los Perros at Rancho Santana are calmer. See our Popoyo and Tola guide for families.
- The sun. The UV index regularly reaches 10 to 12. Plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon, and pack rash vests and hats.
July is also a good family month if your school holidays fall then. The canícula usually means more sunny days than June or September, everything is green and turtle season is starting.
The best time to surf in Nicaragua
Surf here works all year, which is one of the reasons people love this coast. What changes is the size of the waves.
- December to March: smaller swells and steady offshore wind. This is the best time for beginners and kids. Popoyo’s sheltered Beginners Bay is ideal.
- April or May to October: bigger southern swells. Popoyo’s reefs and the breaks around Playa Colorado are at their best for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Our sister business Nicaragua Surf Camp runs surf packages in Popoyo, and we can add lessons for kids and beginners to any stay. Our Popoyo surf guide lists the breaks by level.
Sea turtles and whales
- Sea turtles: olive ridley turtles come ashore in mass nestings, called arribadas, at La Flor near San Juan del Sur and at Chacocente north of Tola, from about July to January. The peak is September and October. On 1 October 2026 the environment ministry counted almost 33,000 nesting turtles at La Flor in one arribada (La Prensa). See our San Juan del Sur guide for how to visit.
- Humpback whales: two populations pass the Pacific coast. Whales from the southern hemisphere visit from about July to October, and northern whales from about December to April. Boat trips from San Juan del Sur run in both seasons.
Holidays and festivals to plan around
| When | What | What it means for your trip |
|---|---|---|
| 7 and 8 December | La Purísima and La Gritería | Fireworks and street celebrations across the country, biggest in León and Granada. |
| 12 December | Virgen de Guadalupe, Tola’s patron saint | Local fiesta in Tola town. |
| Mid-December to early January | Christmas and New Year | The busiest weeks of the year. Book months ahead. |
| 21 to 28 March 2027 | Semana Santa (Easter week) | Nicaraguan families head to the beach. Beaches like Playa Gigante get crowded. |
| July | Local school holidays | Busier beaches, especially at weekends. |
| August | Fiestas de la Asunción, Granada | Parades and horse processions in Granada. |
| 14 and 15 September | Independence Day | Parades and a long weekend for locals. |
Holiday dates from Nicaragua’s Labour Code (as reformed in 2026) and our own guides. Banks and offices close on public holidays.
Best time to visit Nicaragua: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Nicaragua?
March is the driest month and February to April are the most reliable for sunshine. For a mix of good weather, green landscapes and lower prices, July is a good choice thanks to the drier canícula spell.
What is the rainy season in Nicaragua?
On the Pacific side, the rainy or green season runs from about mid-May to early November. September and October are the wettest months. Rain usually falls in the afternoon or evening rather than all day.
Is it worth visiting Nicaragua in the rainy season?
Yes, for many people. Mornings are often sunny, prices are lower, the countryside is green and the surf is bigger. Avoid September and October if a dry beach holiday is the priority.
When is hurricane season in Nicaragua?
Official hurricane season runs from about June to November. Most hurricanes affect the Caribbean side of Nicaragua. Storms rarely reach the Pacific coast, but heavy rain can still cause flooding, so check forecasts if you travel in September or October and buy travel insurance.
How warm is the ocean in Nicaragua?
Warm all year: about 26°C from January to March and around 28°C from May to October.
When can you see sea turtles in Nicaragua?
Olive ridley turtles nest on the Pacific coast from about July to January, with the biggest arrivals in September and October.
Plan your trip
Whatever month you choose, our local team in Tola can put together the house, airport transfers, tours and surf lessons in one trip. Browse vacation rentals by area, read our Nicaragua vs Costa Rica comparison, or tell us your dates and who’s coming. You can also WhatsApp us at +505 8916 6916.
