How to Celebrate Easter in Nicaragua

Planning a spring trip one of these years? Easter in Nicaragua offers colorful passion carpets, aquatic processions, and century-old traditions alongside beaches and colonial cities.

Easter in Nicaragua blends centuries-old religious traditions with a few unique cultural twists you won’t find elsewhere in the region. While other Central American countries might get more international attention for their Easter traditions and processions, Nicaragua offers something entirely its own; think aquatic Stations of the Cross and even a festival where dogs get dressed in costumes!

This mix of solemn observance and joyful celebration makes Easter in Nicaragua one of the more worthwhile countries to check out at this time of year. Like elsewhere in Central America, you’ll find many Nicaraguans heading to the beach during this holiday period, but those who take time to explore the religious and cultural aspects of Nicaragua’s Easter will discover rich traditions dating back over 470 years.

Holy Week in Nicaragua

Semana Santa in Nicaragua actually begins with a pre-Holy Week celebration that you won’t find anywhere else in Central America. The weekend before Palm Sunday, hundreds gather at the Magdalena Church in Monimbó, Masaya for the Saint Lazarus celebration, where locals bring dogs dressed in elaborate costumes for blessing and a contest. This unique tradition stems from the biblical story of dogs licking Lazarus’ wounds to heal him. You’ll see dogs dressed as Barbie, dogs dressed as popular musicians, and dogs dressed as whatever the owners think looks snazzy! Everyone packs the square, cheering as the pups strut, creating a joyful, colorful atmosphere that contrasts with the more solemn events to come.

The official Holy Week opens with Palm Sunday’s Procesión de la Burrita (Donkey Procession), which reenacts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This lively event features either a statue or actor playing Jesus riding on a donkey through town, while parishioners wave palm fronds and follow along. It sets a tone for the week ahead, with churches bustling and vendors selling traditional foods outside. Good Friday is the most solemn day of Easter celebrations. Many communities begin with a candlelit vigil marked by slow, mournful processions. The Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) sees purple-robed participants carrying a large casket with a statue of Jesus through city streets. These processions move deliberately to the sound of funeral music, with mourners in black following behind. Throughout Nicaragua, locals and visitors line streets to witness these solemn displays of faith and tradition.

What truly sets Nicaragua apart are additional Easter events with distinctly local character. The oxcart pilgrimage to Popoyuapa draws decorated carts on a four-day, 60-kilometer journey culminating in an outdoor mass, while Granada hosts the striking aquatic Stations of the Cross, where boats carry a Jesus statue to 14 different islets (isletas) on Lake Nicaragua, each decorated as a flowered shrine. Meanwhile, the indigenous neighborhood of Sutiaba in León participates in the Central American tradition of creating colorful “passion carpets” (alfombras pasionarias) made of dyed sawdust depicting religious scenes.

Holy Saturday brings quieter reflection with candlelit church vigils lasting until midnight, before Easter Sunday erupts in celebration with the “Reunión” tradition – two separate processions carrying statues of Jesus and Mary that eventually meet, symbolizing their reunion after the resurrection. The joyful moment fills with music, prayer, and festivities marking the end of Holy Week.

Traditional Easter Foods in Nicaragua

Semana Santa brings its own menu to Nicaraguan tables, with dishes that reflect both religious tradition and local flavors. As in other Catholic countries, meat abstinence plays a key role in Holy Week eating habits, giving rise to distinctive seafood and vegetarian specialties that only appear during this season.

Sopa de queso (cheese soup) is the quintessential Nicaraguan Easter dish. This rich, creamy soup combines corn masa, milk, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and achiote for a vibrant orange color. Served piping hot with a side of white rice and fried plantains, it satisfies hungry families observing meatless Friday. Locals often pair it with rosquillas, dry corn-based crackers perfect for dipping into the soup. Seafood also takes center stage during Holy Week, with fried fish becoming a staple. Gaspar (gar fish) appears in many homes, usually prepared as a soup with jocote, bitter orange, tomatoes, and rice. Along the coasts, you’ll find fresh fish fried whole or as fillets, typically served with simple sides. For something more substantial, sopa de mariscos brings together shrimp, fish, and sometimes squid in a flavorful broth.

Sweet treats add brightness to the Easter table. Almíbar, a syrupy fruit dessert, combines slow-cooked mango, jocote, papaya, cinnamon and cloves into a sweet confection that counterbalances savory meals. Some versions include pineapple, coconut, or tamarind for additional flavor. Nicaraguans often enjoy this sweet with a glass of pinol, a traditional corn-based drink.

Easter Sunday brings an end to fasting restrictions, and many families celebrate with tamales filled with pork or chicken. Beach-goers might enjoy freshly caught seafood grilled right on the shore, while families gathering at home prepare more elaborate meals.

Traveling to Nicaragua for Easter

If you’re planning to visit Nicaragua for Semana Santa, the first rule is the same as elsewhere in Central America: book early. Holy Week is prime vacation time, with many Nicaraguans taking the entire week off. Hotels, especially in popular beach communities like San Juan del Sur, fill up months in advance as locals flock to the coast for what’s essentially their spring break.

When choosing where to experience Easter, each Nicaraguan destination offers something different. León provides a more traditional atmosphere with its passion carpets and processions, while Granada balances religious ceremonies with its beautiful colonial backdrop. Masaya’s unique pre-Holy Week dog festival adds a touch of whimsy to the otherwise solemn season, and beach towns pulsate with music and parties throughout the week.

Getting around is fine. Regular transportation continues to operate during most of Holy Week, though schedules may be limited on Good Friday itself. Tourist shuttles maintain service between major destinations, and rental cars offer flexibility for visiting multiple sites. Many locals travel during this period too, so booking transportation a day or two ahead is advisable but not typically challenging. While beaches buzz with activity and parties, many businesses in cities close from Thursday through Sunday. Banks, government offices, and many restaurants shut down completely, though tourist areas maintain services. This creates an interesting dynamic where beach towns overflow with celebration while cities become quiet, offering a more relaxed experience of architectural and cultural sites minus the usual crowds.

For watching processions, arrive early to claim viewing spots, particularly for the aquatic Stations of the Cross where boat space can be limited. Bring water, sun protection, and patience, as these events move at their own pace. Dress modestly if attending religious services or processions, with covered shoulders and knees showing respect for local customs.

Easter in Nicaragua balances religious devotion with vacation fun. The country’s unique traditions offer experiences that stand apart from the rest of the region and are well worth visiting for.