Things to Do in Nicaragua in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Nicaragua
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means nearly guaranteed sunshine - January typically sees less than 5 mm (0.2 inches) of rain for the entire month, so you can actually plan outdoor activities without backup plans. The Pacific coast especially gets maybe one rainy day if you're unlucky.
- Trade winds keep temperatures comfortable despite the tropical location - mornings start around 20°C (68°F) which is perfect for hiking volcanoes, and even when it hits 30°C (86°F) in the afternoon, the breeze makes it manageable. Locals call this 'Papagayo wind season' and it's genuinely the most pleasant weather you'll get all year.
- Semana Santa (Easter week) is still months away, so you're visiting during what locals consider the sweet spot - beaches aren't overcrowded, accommodation prices haven't hit their March-April peak, and you can still book decent places just a week or two out. January is technically high season but it's the calm part of high season.
- Turtle nesting season overlaps on the Pacific coast - Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles are actively nesting through January, particularly around Playa La Flor and the southern Pacific beaches. You'll need to book turtle watching tours through cooperatives, but January gives you legitimate chances to see arribadas (mass nestings) without the April tourist crowds.
Considerations
- Dust becomes a real issue by January - the dry season is well underway and unpaved roads (which is most roads outside major routes) kick up serious dust clouds. If you're doing the Ruta de Café or heading to remote beaches, expect to arrive covered in a fine layer of dirt. Bring a bandana or buff for truck rides.
- Strong trade winds can actually shut down some activities - the Papagayo winds that make the weather pleasant can gust to 40-50 km/h (25-31 mph), especially on the Pacific coast and around the Great Lake. Kayaking on Laguna de Apoyo gets choppy, and some boat services to Ometepe occasionally get cancelled in the afternoons. Mornings are your friend for water activities.
- Everything dries out completely by January - rivers are at their lowest, waterfalls slow to trickles, and the landscape turns brown and dusty in many areas. If you're coming for lush tropical scenery, you'll be disappointed. The cloud forests stay green, but lowland areas look pretty parched. It's the reality of visiting in the driest month.
Best Activities in January
Volcano boarding and hiking on Cerro Negro
January is absolutely the month for volcano activities - the dry conditions mean stable trails, clear summit views, and no mud to deal with. Cerro Negro's black sand slopes are perfect for boarding when dry, and you'll actually see the surrounding volcano chain from the top instead of clouds. The 728 m (2,388 ft) hike up takes about 45 minutes in the morning coolness. The strong winds can actually help on the hike up since you're not dealing with oppressive heat. Go early though - by 11am the black volcanic sand gets scorching hot.
Pacific coast surf sessions and beach time
January brings consistent offshore winds that clean up the Pacific swells beautifully. San Juan del Sur, Playa Maderas, and Popoyo all work well this month with waves typically in the 1-2 m (3-6 ft) range - manageable for intermediates but still fun for experienced surfers. The water temperature sits around 27°C (81°F) so you don't need a wetsuit. Crowds are present but nothing like March or April. The dry season also means beach days are actually pleasant - you can leave your stuff on the sand without worrying about sudden downpours.
Colonial city exploration in Granada and León
The dry weather makes wandering these colonial cities actually enjoyable instead of sweaty and miserable. January mornings are cool enough that walking 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) through neighborhoods doesn't require constant water stops. Granada's Calle La Calzada and León's cathedral district are best explored between 7-10am before the heat builds. The clear skies also mean climbing church towers gives you spectacular views - La Merced in Granada and León Cathedral both offer 360-degree views of surrounding volcanoes. Late afternoons after 4pm get that golden light that makes the colorful colonial buildings look incredible for photos.
Kayaking and swimming in crater lagoons
Laguna de Apoyo is at its clearest in January - visibility can reach 10-12 m (33-39 ft) underwater because there's no rain runoff clouding things up. The water stays a constant 25°C (77°F) year-round. January mornings before 11am are ideal since the afternoon winds can make kayaking work instead of relaxation. Apoyo is the most accessible crater lake, just 20 minutes from Granada or Masaya, but Laguna de Xiloá near Managua sees fewer tourists if you want more solitude. The volcanic minerals in the water supposedly have therapeutic properties - locals swear by it, tourists just enjoy the incredibly clear swimming.
Coffee farm tours in the northern highlands
January sits right in the middle of coffee harvest season (November through February), so you'll see actual coffee picking and processing instead of just walking through dormant plants. The Matagalpa and Jinotega regions are where the good stuff happens - farms between 1,000-1,400 m (3,280-4,593 ft) elevation produce the beans that actually get exported. The cooler highland temperatures in January make the 2-3 hour farm tours comfortable, and you're tasting coffee that was literally picked that week. Many farms are family-run and give you the real story of coffee economics, not just the romantic version.
Biking around Ometepe Island
January's dry trails make biking Ometepe actually feasible - during rainy season, many paths turn to mud pits. The 30-40 km (19-25 mile) loop around Volcán Maderas takes 4-6 hours with stops and passes through small villages, past petroglyphs, and along lake shores. The trade winds can be brutal on exposed sections, but they also keep you from overheating. The island's two volcanoes create their own weather patterns, so even in peak dry season you might get brief showers on the Maderas side. Mornings are definitely better for biking - afternoons get windy and hot. The relatively flat sections between Moyogalpa and Altagracia are manageable for casual cyclists.
January Events & Festivals
Fiestas Patronales in various towns
January sees patron saint festivals scattered across different municipalities - these are genuine local celebrations, not tourist events. You'll find processions, traditional music, bull riding events, and street food vendors. Each town celebrates its own patron saint on different dates throughout the month. The festivals run for several days, usually Thursday through Sunday, with the main religious procession on the actual saint's day. It's worth timing your route to catch one if you're interested in seeing how Nicaraguans actually celebrate.