The Archipiélago de Solentiname, in the southern part of Lago de Nicaragua, is the site of a communal society established for artists by the poet Ernesto Cardenal. The islands are known for their distinctive school of colorful primitivist painting. They are a great place for hiking, fishing and taking it easy. Boats to the Solentiname islands depart from San Carlos, on the southeastern corner of the lake.

The Corn Islands (Islas de Maíz), about 70km off the coast east of Bluefields, are made up of two islands. The larger island is only about 6 sq km, and the other island, 18km away, is only about 1.5 sq km. Like other islands near the Caribbean Coast, the Corn Islands were once a haven for buccaneers. Nowadays, the islands (especially the larger one) are popular holiday spots, with clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches, excellent fishing, coral reefs for diving and an unhurried pace of life. Rumor has it that an Italian company is planning to invest US$30 million in Little Corn Island. Those interested in enjoying the island's remoteness will want to visit soon, before it starts getting built up.

Las Isletas is a group of 356 small islands just offshore from Granada in Lago de Nicaragua. The locals make a living out of fishing and growing tropical fruits such as mangoes and coconuts, and there is a remarkable variety of bird life. The island of San Pablo has a small fortress built by the Spaniards to protect against British pirates in the 18th century. Isla Zapatera is protected as a national park and is one of Nicaragua's most important archaeological areas. Giant stone statues erected by Indians in pre-Columbian times have been moved elsewhere, but you can visit other ancient tombs and structures. There are more tombs and some interesting rock carvings on Isla del Muerto (Island of the Dead).