Guatemala or Nicaragua for 2 weeks in April?

[Sandrine1982]

Hi. We're considering a 2 week trip to either Guatemala or Nicaragua in April.
My preference would be Nicaragua as it seems to have better beaches and rainforest, but I'm worried it will be too hot at that time?
Places in Guatemala seem a bit cooler.

We would appreciate the following:

• At least one week in a nice beach town
• A few days in a jungle / rainforest stay with plenty of wildlife
• We're fine with temperatures up to 33-35C but anything above may be too difficult for our 6-year old (but also don't want anything below 27C :)
• Volcanos, rivers, history, good food and reasonable safety
• Transport between places within a 2-3 hour radius

If you have been to both, which one did you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance...

<Did not mean to put that segment in bold...>

Guatemala is by far the most interesting country in Central America. You have Mayan ruins (Tikal) colonial towns (Antigua etc) volcantic lakes (Atitlan) and indigenous villages (Chichicastenango) etc. Best time to visit is usually November to April but with changing weather patterns who knows. Most agreeable places climate wise are at higher altitiudes. I would be tempted to combine with Belize if I wanted a few days on the beach.

Be careful which routes you take. There is a lot of gang related crime particularly in the border areas. I think I would be inclined to take an organised tour if travelling with a small child. There is an organisation called Proatur which provides upto date advice.

Nicaragua is less interesting in my view. Colonial towns Granada and Leon quite beautiful but not as beautiful as Antigua. The beaches are better than Guatemala but not as interesting as Belize.

thank you @Bluefields96 . We wouldn't have a lot of time, so probably won't go to border areas.
In Guatemala I'm interested in Antigua, Lago di Atitlán, and hopefully a beach ... maybe El Paredón. Have you been there? Is it nice? I can't tell from Google. I would love to go to the Carribean coast but it's just a bit too far 😔

Bumping for more recommendations 🙏🏼

Both amazing. Guatemala is a little dodgier so we went a bit more expensive! But by far the best holiday we've ever had.

Honestly with a smaller child I'd say Nicaragua. Save Guatemala for an older child who will appreciate Tikal (and maybe El Mirador will be more accessible by then).

Thanks :)