Northern Pacific Coast (Nicaragua)

Northern Pacific Coast is the western most region in Nicaragua along the Pacific coast. A chain of impressive active volcanoes cuts through the region, while the cost line offers many pristine and beautiful beaches for swimming and surfing. The jewel of the region is the colonial and revolutionary city of León, with many churches and museums, and a vibrant student life.

• 12.434825-86.8788331 León - a colonial city and the intellectual center of Nicaragua
• 12.631053-87.1347392 Chinandega - a commercial and agricultural center
• 12.481686-87.1713063 Corinto - with Nicaragua's largest port
• 12.661944-87.1673814 El Viejo - an old historical city with indigenous roots
• 12.885944-86.5389725 El Sauce - a pilgrimage city

• 12.168622-86.7616671 Miramar, El Velero, Playa Hermosa & El Tránsito- a string of Pacific beaches close to Managua.
• 12.378269-87.0422332 Poneloya & Las Peñitas - two Pacific beach towns near León.
• 12.627064-87.3433423 Aserradores - northern beach with the famous Boom surfing wave.
• 12.737375-87.4448084 Jiquilillo - beach next to the Padre Ramon Nature Reserve.

• 12.49-86.675 Cordillera Los Maribios - a chain of impressive volcanoes, many active. On Cerro Negro you can do Volcano surfing.
• 12.866667-87.2166676 Estero Real Nature Reserve - a huge estuary and the home of wild growing corn.
• 12.970955-87.5765037 Volcan Cosigüina Nature Reserve - which in 1835 had the third largest volcanic eruption in recorded history.
• Isla San Juan Nature Reserve - a narrow estuary along the Pacific coast, perfect for kayaking.
• 12.601944-86.8458 San Jacinto hot springs.

• 12.400547-86.6177979 León Viejo - the ruins of old León, destroyed by a volcano eruption in 1610. Now a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Northern Pacific Coast of Nicaragua consists of the departments of Chinandega and León with an approximate population of 865,000 (2020). An impressive chain of active volcanoes, the Cordillera Los Maribios, cuts through the region. Along the Pacific coast, there are many beautiful beaches and estuaries.

The two major cities are León and Chinandega, Nicaragua's second and fourth largest cities respectively. León, a colonial city founded in 1524, is the country's intellectual center with the oldest and largest cathedral, the oldest university and many museums. Chinandega is a commercial and agricultural hub. Corinto has Nicaragua's biggest port.

The region is a major agricultural producer. Important crops include sugar cane, rice, soy, corn, beans, bananas, peanuts and sesame seeds. There are fishing villages, shrimp farms and salt producers along the coast.

Spanish

• Internationally by air through Managua Airport or by land from Honduras.
• From Managua by bus, car or taxi.
• From the Northern Highlands by bus or car.
• From Honduras via the border crossing at Guasaule.
• From El Salvador by boat from La Union to Potosí at the foot of Volcan Cosigüina.

There are frequent buses between León, Chinandega, Corinto, El Viejo and all other major towns in the region. From León there are frequent buses to Poneloya and Las Peñitas, and from Chinandega to Corinto, but other beaches are harder to reach.

• The colonial city of Leon, founded in 1524.
• Cathedral of León, the largest in Central America.
• Ortiz-Gurdián Art Museum in León.
• Sutiava, the indigenous neighborhood in León.
• Chorotega Nicarao Archeological Museum in Chinandega.

• Hike up Volcan Cosigüina or one of the other volcanoes in the Cordillera Los Maribios.
• Surf down on the black ashes of Volcán Cerro Negro.
• Surf the Boom at Aserradores or any of the smaller waves all along the Pacific coast.
• Swim the Pacific beaches in for example Poneloya, Las Peñitas, Aserradores or Jiquilillo.
• Kayak in the Juan Venado, Padre Ramos or Estero Real Nature Reserves.
• Enjoy the hot springs in San Jacinto.

Temperatures can rise well above 35°C (100°F) during the dry season (December - April), so make sure to stay hydrated. Although some say that tab-water in León is safe, stick to bottled water, delicious juices, cold beer or the local Flor de Caña rum.

Pacific coast currents can be very strong and dangerous even for trained swimmers in their best health. Don't go too far out, stay on official beaches, and follow any warning signs. Weaker swimmers may prefer to enjoy the estuaries with their calmer waters.

• Northern Highlands for cooler temperatures
• Southern Pacific Coast for more beaches and more surfing
• Granada to check out the historical rival of León
• Honduras, just to the north