Visiting Little Corn Island with kids is fun! Little Corn Island is an island located off the coast of Nicaragua, and the island is a perfect destination for families who want a relaxing vacation. This small island belongs to Nicaragua and is the ideal place for those looking for white sandy beaches, clear blue waters and a laid-back atmosphere. In this blog, we share the best children’s activities on Little Corn Island and provide practical tips for families planning to explore this tropical paradise!
Best travel time Little Corn Island with kids
The climate on Little Corn Island is tropical, meaning it is warm year-round. The best travel time for families with kids is from January to May. During these months, the weather is generally dry, making the sea calm and perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
From June to November is the rainy season, so you have a high probability of tropical rainstorms. These are usually short though and then the rest of the day can still be sunny. Keep in mind that hurricane season runs from August to October, so this is a lesser time to visit Little Corn Island with kids.
Transportation to and on Little Corn Island
To get to Little Corn Island, fly from Managua by domestic flight to Big Corn Island, which takes about 1.5 hours. A visit to Little Corn Island is therefore an ideal conclusion to your tour of Nicaragua. Arriving at Big Corn Airport, board a small boat to Little Corn Island that leaves twice a day (at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.).
This trip takes about 30 minutes and can be a bit rough at times, so keep that in mind. Fortunately, the boat trip does not take very long and you are soon in paradise! On the island itself, you don’t need cars or other motorized vehicles. Everything is walkable and the island is small enough to explore on foot.
You can thus explore the entire island on foot. In doing so, you walk through a green environment via all kinds of paths across the island. When it rains, these trails can get very muddy. We always like this a lot with our daughter, as it gives a very relaxed atmosphere!
Children’s activities Little Corn Island
#1 Snorkeling on the island
One of the most fun activities to do on Little Corn Island with kids is snorkeling. The island has several snorkeling spots, of which Otto Beach is one of the best. Here, kids can safely enter the water to snorkel. You will see tropical fish here and if you are lucky, a ray or a turtle.
You can also go on an organized snorkeling tour of the island. Several tours are offered for snorkeling. For families with kids who also want to go diving, Little Corn Island is also a suitable island. You have lots of different dive sites around the island here where you can do this.
You can also possibly join a boat tour where you will watch the sunset on the island or try to spot dolphins. These tours are easy to book on the island, so you don’t need to book them online in advance.
#2 Kayaking
You can also go kayaking in the Corn Islands with kids. At many accommodations you can rent kayaks, often with transparent bottoms so you can see the fish and coral reef below. This can be a fun way to explore the sea around the island. Do check how wild the sea is, as otherwise it may be too heavy to kayak with the kids.
Make sure you do keep the kids well insulated, as you can burn quickly on the water. We have often seen people not rubbing on their legs, for example, and then seawater keeps coming over them, causing them to burn extra quickly.
#3 Visiting the beach
Most families with kids visit Little Corn Island to relax and recover from a beautiful and adventurous trip through Nicaragua with the family. Therefore, there are not that many more activities on this island, other than relaxing. You have several beaches to visit on Little Corn Island.
Otto Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the island, and from the center of the island you can walk to it in about 20 minutes. You can swim here and, as we mentioned earlier, snorkel. Another beach you can visit on Little Corn Island with kids is Cocal Beach and it is closer to downtown. You also have several eateries here, where you can go for a snack and a drink.
Family-friendly restaurant Little Corn Island
You can eat and drink just fine on Little Corn Island with kids. Keep in mind that there is no ATM on the island, so be sure to bring enough money from mainland Nicaragua. You do have plenty of family-friendly restaurants where you can go for a bite to eat. We list some of these family-friendly restaurants below.
Tranquilo Café: this family-friendly restaurant has a lovely relaxed atmosphere and has a children’s menu with simple dishes such as pizza and wraps. You have a view of the sea at this restaurant.
Café Desideri: For families in the mood for pizza and pasta, Café Desideri comes highly recommended. This Italian restaurant serves lunch and dinner with the family, and the terrace of this family-friendly restaurant overlooks the beach.
The Turned Turtle: Located at one of the larger hotels on the island, The Turned Turtle has a menu with many options. From fresh fruit to pancakes and sandwiches. Moreover, kids can enjoy playing on the beach here while parents enjoy a drink at this family-friendly restaurant.
Family-friendly hotel Little Corn Island
You can stay at Little Corn Island with kids just fine. You don’t have a lot of family-friendly accommodations on Little Corn Island that you can book, but there are still some options. Keep in mind that at several accommodations on the island they do not have hot water and in the morning there is often no electricity. The larger hotels operate with a generator and do not have this last problem. WIFI can also be faulty at times. If this is important to you as a family, please check with the accommodation in advance.
We list some of the best-reviewed family-friendly accommodations on Little Corn Island. Click on the blue link for more information.
Budget Hotel: Sea View
Mid-range hotel: Sunshine Hotel Little Corn Island
Luxury Hotel: Los Delfines Hotel & Dive Center
Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations on Little Corn Island.
