Mangrove forests have traditionally protected the coastline of Ostional, a rural Nicaraguan fishing village, from degradation of fishery habitat and onshore effects of storm surge. Swaths of mangrove were converted to agricultural use before the ecological role of these mangroves was understood. We assessed the soils, hydrology, and vegetation of the intact mangrove and adjacent converted mangrove to inform a nonprofit conservation agency (Paso Pacifico) regarding the potential for ecosystem function restoration in this landscape.