Nicaragua geography and climate

Climate

Nicaragua has a tropical climate with only two seasons in a year: dry and rainy. The dry season starts from November to May and the wet from June to October. The most convenient months to travel to Nicaragua are between November and February. It will feel cool but there won't be that much of rain.

March to April will be the driest period, where the weather is excruciatingly hot and the trees are turning yellow. The good thing about it is that roads are more easily accessed compared to when the wet season hits. When it rains hard, secondary roads can be inaccessible since many will be broken due to the heavy downpours. The humidity also seems to attract more bugs and insects in the wet season. However, turtle watchers are going to love to go to Nicaragua during the rainy season as it is time for the baby turtles to hatch and go to the sea.

More advanced surfers also like it because although substantial rain may happen during the wet season, so may the large swells. It will be the perfect time to go for the surfers, especially since this is the time when the country is not so crowded with visitors.
 

Geography

Nicaragua, covering a total area of 129,494 square kilometers, is the largest country in Central America. The land comprises many lakes and volcanoes, thus famously called the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes. The country borders Honduras to the north, Costa Rica to the South, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is divided into 3 major zones, each of which uniquely differs from one another on the aspects of climates and terrains. These zones are namely Pacific Lowlands, Central Highlands, and the Caribbean Lowlands.

 Pacific Lowlands

The Pacific Lowlands stretches about 75 kilometers inland from the Pacific coast. It includes the largest freshwater lake in Central America called Lake Cocibolca or Lake Nicaragua, which is about 160 kilometers long and 75 kilometers wide. Another smaller lake, Lake Managua, is connected to Lake Cocibolca by Rio Tipitapa (Tipitapa River).
Rio San Juan flows from Lake Cocibolca towards the Caribbean Sea. The route is encased by charming natural reserves which are inhabited by a huge diversity of flora and fauna. It was also once considered as an alternative passage to the Panama Canal.
Around Lake Nicaragua are extensive fertile lowland plains that are densely populated.
Due to the location where two major tectonic plates collide, the Western Nicaragua is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

 Central Highlands

Central Highlands lies northeast and east of the Pacific lowlands. It is a triangular area comprising of rocky mountain terrains that stand 900 to 1,800 meters high, covered by rainforests and home to various living creatures. As a consequence of the higher ground, the climate in Central Highlands is cooler than the other two lowland zones.

 Caribbean Lowlands

The Caribbean Lowlands occupies more than 45% of the national territory but it is sparely populated. It is divided into two autonomous regions: North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) and South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS). The climate here is hot and humid, fitting its tropical low terrain condition. Soil in this part of the country is generally infertile, though some fertile part can be found along the natural levees of the so many rivers.

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