Travel Guide to the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (+ Map)
TL;DR
Our complete travel guide to the Nicaragua Caribbean coast gives you travel tips for Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, the Pearl Cays, Orinoco, and the Corn Islands – all on a budget and mostly with public transport.
The Caribbean coast of Nicaragua features some of the best beaches in Nicaragua. You can simply relax at the beach, experience Garifuna culture, enjoy sports like fishing or scuba diving, and see beautiful nature. If you’re backpacking Nicaragua, the Caribbean coast should be on your itinerary – especially if you want to venture off the beaten path.
- Complete Travel Guide to the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
- Is the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Worth Visiting?
- How to Get to the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
- How to Travel Around the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
- 5 Best Places to Visit on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua
- Infrastructure at the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
- Safety at the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
- Food of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast
- Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Map
- Two weeks Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua Itinerary
Complete Travel Guide to the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
Is the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Worth Visiting?
The Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua is absolutely worth a visit.
It’s the one region in Nicaragua where you can witness Garifuna culture. Additionally, the people here speak English so it’s easy to communicate even if you don’t speak any Spanish.
It’s also where you can find the best beaches in Nicaragua. The Caribbean Islands in Nicaragua are at least as beautiful as their neighbours but far less overrun with tourists. This even holds true for the most touristy island of the region Little Corn Island.
If you venture off the beaten path even more to the Pearl Cays, you can find yourself your own private deserted island.
How to Get to the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
Fly from Managua
Of course, you can just fly from Managua to Bluefields or the Corn Islands with La Costeña Airlines and save yourself some stress and time but you’ll also miss out on a great adventure.
Taking Public Transport from Managua
Travelling by bus and boat takes some time but the experience is totally worth it. It also costs you around 1/10 of a flight ticket.
To get to the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua by public transport, you have to take a bus from Managua to Bluefields (around 8$). Buses leave at the Terminal Buses Costa Caribe. They run all through the day and should take around 8 hours. If you want to avoid travelling at night – which we recommend for safety reasons, the latest bus you can take is 9:15 am. From the bus station in Bluefields, you need to take a taxi into town.
There was no online booking at the time of our visit.
How to Travel Around the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
Oftentimes, the main form of transportation is a panga - a small open boat. It brings you from Bluefields to Pearl Lagoon and from Pearl Lagoon to Orinoco and the Pearl Cays. In places like Bluefields and Pearl Lagoon, you can also find reasonably priced taxis.
There was no online booking at the time of our visit.
5 Best Places to Visit on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua
1. Bluefields
Bluefields is the transportation hub of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.
2. Pearl Lagoon
Pearl Lagoon is the best jumping-off point to visit the Pearl Cays.
3. Pearl Cays
The Pearl Cays are a tropical paradise full of Robinson Crusoe islands.
4. Orinoco
Orinoco offers a great mix of world-class fishing and Garifuna culture.
5. Corn Islands
The Corn Islands, especially Little Corn Island, are the place with the best tourist infrastructure along the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Still, they feel very remote with a low-key Caribbean Island vibe.
Snorkelling and SCUBA diving are amazing here!
Infrastructure at the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
As of 2022, Bluefields is connected to Managua by paved roads and a reliable bus service.
Still, you have frequent power cuts on the mainland and a scheduled power cut from 6 am to 1 pm every day on Little Corn Island.
Once you leave Bluefields, your internet connection will decline. On Little Corn Island it’s bad, on the Pearl Cays nonexistent.
You can only find ATMs in Bluefields and on Big Corn Island. Most places only accept cash. USD is accepted when in pristine condition.
Safety at the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast
Full disclosure: Except for Little Corn Island, this is not the safest area in Nicaragua. Especially around Bluefields and Pearl Lagoon, there is a lot of cocaine and with drugs comes crime. It is advised to show the same behaviour as if you were in a city like Managua: Be cautious, attentive, don’t carry around your valuables, and avoid walking around in the dark. Still, we were robbed in broad daylight in Pearl Lagoon on our way to Awas. In case of a robbery, it’s safest just to collaborate and hand over your money.
Food of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast
Eastern Nicaraguan cuisine consists mostly of seafood and coconut. Popular dishes are
- Pan de coco (coconut bread)
- Gallo pinto con coco (Rice and beans with coconut)
- Rodon (fried fish, plantain, yucca, and a creamy sauce)
Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Map
Two weeks Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua Itinerary
Day 1 – Bus from Managua to Bluefields
Bluefields is the biggest town on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast and will most likely be your travel hub. If you ask for our honest opinion, Bluefields does not have a lot to offer for tourists and it did not really vibe with us. Our impression of this place was pretty chaotic and stressful.
Things to do in Bluefields
Leave to other places.
Day 2 – Boat from Bluefields to Pearl Lagoon
Pearl Lagoon is a great base from which to explore Pearl Cays and Orinoco. The town itself features some nice restaurants facing the lagoon and has a chill Caribbean vibe to it.
Things to do in Pearl Lagoon
Pearl Lagoon is mainly the jumping-off point to get to the Pearl Cays.
The main activity in Pearl Lagoon itself is walking to Awas Beach. The walk itself is super nice. You walk over a wooden boardwalk and can spot birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately, it is not safe.
We have written a full travel guide to the Pearl Cays and Pearl Lagoon.
Day 3 – Day trip to the Pearl Cays
The Pearl Cays are the undisputed gem of the Caribbean of Nicaragua.
Things to do on the Pearl Cays
Snorkelling: You can do some nice snorkelling here.
Fishing: We met some fishermen who told us that fishing is world-class around the Pearl Cays, especially for tarpon.
Relaxing: Of course, you can spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach.
Day 4 & 5 – Orinoco
Orinoco is a mix of nature and culture. The town is considered the capital of many Garifuna communities in the Caribbean region of Nicaragua.
Things to do in Orinoco
Nature: You can do some world-class fishing here. Additionally, you can spot wildlife cruising on the river.
Culture: Get in touch with the Garifuna culture.
Day 6 – Boat to Bluefields
The ferry from Bluefields to the Corn Islands leaves early in the morning. We think it’s better to be safe and spend another night in Bluefields rather than miss the ferry.
Day 7 – Boat to Corn Islands
Boats from Bluefields to Big Corn Island leave on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Day 8 - 15 – Enjoy Little Corn Island
Little Corn Island was our favourite Caribbean island of our whole Central America trip. You can stay in a beachfront bungalow for 10$ per day and you can enjoy a meal for under 5$.
Things to do in Little Corn Island
The main things you can do on Little Corn Island are relaxing on the beach as well as snorkelling and SCUBA diving.
We have written a complete travel guide to Little Corn Island if you want to learn more.
Travel Guides
Little Corn Island Travel Guide (+ Map)
Everything you need to know to travel to Little Corn Island Nicaragua.
Carina
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.
