The northern highlands is cooler than the rest of Nicaragua, with temperatures ranging from the high 20’s to low 30’s °C (in the 80’s in °F) during the rainy season and temperatures up to the mid 30’s °C (mid 90’s °F) in the dry season. In the mountains of the coffee growing regions of Matagalpa and Jinotega it is often significantly cooler. Visitors hoping to catch the harvest should arrange to be there in December and January. The stunning Somoto Canyon is quite dangerous to visit during the rainy season from May to October. The dry season is from November to April, although the weather is temperamental, with bouts of rain and bursts of sunshine occurring all year round.
Major festivals in the northern highlands include Matagalpa’s anniversary party on February 14th, Jalapa’s corn festival in September and Somoto’s carnival on November 11th and 12th.