Nicaragua

Nicaragua is geographically the largest country in Central America. Its name derives from a tribal chieftain, and from the Spanish word for “agua,” which means water. The country is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, one-fifth of Nicaragua’s land corresponds to national parks, nature reserves, and protected areas. These support flora and fauna, including the likes of toucans, jaguars, and sloths, as well as sea turtles that can be found gliding amongst the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast. Furthermore, the entire country is captivating culturally speaking thanks to its colonial cities, delightful food and folk traditions embodied by a colourful arts and crafts scene.

Highlights

Colonial architecture

nickelstar, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

AntoLa22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Islands

Brian Johnson & Dane Kant, Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Curtis Foreman, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

Volcanoes

Dr. Alexey Yakovlev, Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beaches

descubriendoelmundo, Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Wildlife

Diving and snorkelling

@N3T1O, Attribution-NoDerivs (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Lakes

Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Zuluniga, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

Nicaragua has two seasons: one that is wet and one that is dry. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from end-November through April. On the Pacific coast, rain often falls in the afternoons from May to November, although the mornings are generally dry. The central mountain region has a cooler climate with sporadic rainfall all year, while the Atlantic coast is wet, hot, and humid year-round, with September and October the height of the tropical storm season.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are possible between end-May until October, with travellers preferring to avoid this period.

Caribbean coast: from February to April and August. These months have less rain and calm seas, ideal for water activities

Week-long surfing competition: (late November) an annual week-long surfing competition sees some of Latin America’s best surfers converging on the beaches around San Juan del Sur; competing against each other and the waves.

Surfing: for the beginner surfer or someone looking to learn how to surf the best time of year is from November to April. When waves are at their smallest. If you are at the intermediate stage of surfing, summer has the best swell with it peaking in July and August as well as the promised moderate SW-W offshore winds coming across from the Caribbean and water temperatures ranging between 27-28°C.

Birdwatching: best during the dry season (Nov-April) when migratory birds are present.

Holy Week (March/April): Holy Week in Nicaragua sees colourful religious processions in the city of Granada, and smaller events around the rest of the country.

Sea Turtle Nesting: July to December on the Pacific coast, especially in places like La Flor Wildlife Reserve

El Güegüense: is an essential part of Nicaraguan culture, blending pre-Colombian and post-Colombian traditions, with a folkloric drama, which combines theatre, music, and dance. From January 17-27, the festivities include mass, processions, and horseback riding

Practical information

Currency

Nicaraguan Córdoba is the official currency. The exchange rate approximately is 1 Euro is between 35- 43 Nicaraguan Cordobas. 1 UD Dollar is between 33- 37 Nicaraguan Cordobas.

Language

Spanish, plus 7 recognized languages including English, Miskito, Rama, and Sumo, etc

Visa

Visitors to Nicaragua must obtain a visa from one of the Nicaraguan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that can obtain a visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months and hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for next destination. Nationals from over 90 countries can visit Nicaragua visa-free for up to 90 days (they must show proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination), including those from: European Union, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Travellers from the following countries and territories can enter Nicaragua by obtaining a visa on arrival at the airport: Angola, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nicaragua Immigration Form: citizens of all nationalities must apply for this form at least seven days before entering the country. It simplifies border procedures, making your entry into Nicaragua quick and hassle-free. Whether you are visiting for business, tourism, transit, or other reasons, you must present this document to immigration authorities. This document is valid for a Single Entry into the country. The duration of your stay will be stated on your visa (if you need one to enter the country).

What does a tourist pay when arriving in Nicaragua? every foreigner upon entering the country must pay an amount of US$ 10.00 dollars or its equivalent in national currency as a tourist card. Citizens of the CA-4 Convention countries (Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua) are exempt from this tariff.

ATM & credit card

Throughout the country there are ATMs that accept different types of cards; the most widely accepted are American Express, Visa, Diners and Mastercard. Be careful, it will be more difficult to find Amt´s in some remote areas or not tourist places.

It is advisable to take US dollars with you, as they are widely accepted in stores and restaurants. However, it is important to keep in mind that when exchanging them into Córdoba’s, you may get a less favourable exchange rate. The use of credit and debit cards is increasingly common in Nicaragua, but not all establishments accept them, especially in rural or less touristy areas. It is important to carry cash with you and ask before shopping if they accept cards.

Opening times

Shops and services in Nicaragua observe Sunday closing: on other days you will find most places open from 8am to 4pm, though many government-run services, such as tourist information, post offices and immigration, are open from 8am to 1pm. Businesses, museums and sites close for lunch, normally between noon and 2pm, before reopening again until 4 or 5pm. Supermarkets, smaller grocery shops and the small neighbourhood shops, generally stay open until 8pm. Bars and restaurants tend to close around 11pm or midnight, except for nightclubs, most of which are in Managua, which stay open until 2am or later.

Time: GMT -6 hours.

Main airports

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (is the main public international airport in Managua. The distance from the airport to the centre of Managua is 11 kilometres. By car, it takes 15 minutes to get to the centre)

Corn Island Airport (is a public international airport that serves Great Corn Island in the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. The distance from the airport to the centre of Corn Island is 2,6 kilometres. By car, it takes 6 minutes to get to the centre)

Ometepe Airport (is the only airport on Ometepe, the largest island in Lake Nicaragua. The runway begins at the shoreline, and west approaches and departures are over the water. The volcanic slopes of Concepción volcano begin 5 kilometres east of the runway)

Emerald Coast Airport (the airport is in the countryside 3 kilometres inland from the Pacific coast. The distance from the airport to the centre of Tola is 17 kilometres. By car, it takes 33 minutes to get to the centre)

Public transport

Public transport in Nicaragua offers several options for travellers to explore the country affordably, it is very cheap but quite uncomfortable. One of the most popular modes is the iconic chicken buses, which are former American school buses.

By bus

The standard local buses in Nicaragua are the usual old North American school buses, which stop frequently along the routes, allowing passengers to easily hop on and off at various destinations. While they may lack comfort levels, they are extremely affordable, making them a favourite among budget travellers. Another mode of public transport is shuttles. These are shared vans or minibuses that provide a more comfortable and convenient option compared to chicken buses. Shuttles have fixed schedules and fewer stops, allowing for a smoother and quicker journey. Although slightly more expensive than chicken buses, shuttles offer a more relaxed and comfortable travel experience. Most tour companies can arrange this, or try the shuttle companies. Most intercity buses begin running between 4am and 7am, and departing about every thirty minutes, or when the bus is full, with last buses leaving by 5 or 6pm. There is often a list of fares displayed at the front of the bus. You can usually keep your luggage with you, although especially on busy services it may end up on the roof or in a pile at the back of the bus. It should be safe, but it is worth keeping valuables on your person. Most buses have a conductor and a helper as well as a driver, in most instances, you will pay the conductor once the bus is moving.

Timetables for key routes can be viewed on this website

By car, taxis are most often seen in cities, but they also make long-distance journeys; a good deal, especially if in a group. Always agree on the fare before getting into the cab, and do not be afraid to haggle if the rate seems high, at Managua’s bus terminals, overcharging foreigners is the norm.

Renting a car is probably the best way to explore the country but it is important to note that driving conditions in Nicaragua can sometimes be challenging, especially in rural areas where roads may be unpaved or poorly maintained. Additionally, it is advisable to have a thorough understanding of local traffic laws and regulations before hitting the road. Overall, while rental cars may not be as prevalent in Nicaragua as in other countries, they can still be a comfortable and well-planned. If you are planning to drive, make sure you have your International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and carry it along with your original license. Make sure you take out full-cover insurance. And as with other Central American countries, do not drive at night, it is less a question of crime than the lack of lighting, which disguises potholes, sudden deviations in the road or even the road disappearing altogether, as well as cattle straying onto the highway.

By boat, many destinations are accessible only, or most easily by boat. For travellers the most useful routes are those between Bluefields and either Pearl Lagoon or El Rama (both of which are served by small boats called pangas), and the cargo boat which goes between Granada and San Carlos, stopping at Ometepe. San Carlos can also be accessed by boat from the border crossing at Los Chiles. River boats on the Rio San Juan tend to be slow and cheap. There are often express and regular services.

Things to avoid

Taking photos of police

Hike near volcanoes or visit remote areas without an experienced guide

Protests and political gatherings, authorities may arrest or imprison you

Sometimes, some women approaching tourists on the street asking to buy their “sick child” medicine, politely decline

Be careful when renting ATVs or motorbikes, read the documentation before signing on the dotted line, and make sure you meet any requirements to avoid being ripped off or having to pay a hidden fee

Watch out for dodgy tour operators, read reviews online to make sure the tour operator is reliable

Drinking tap water is not recommended

Food

Nicaraguan cuisine includes a mixture of Latin American, indigenous Native American, Creole, and Spanish cuisine. Corn, rice, beans and yucca are staples. Fruits such as mangos and plantains are plentiful in Nicaragua. The following are some popular Nicaraguan dishes: “Gallo pinto” (made from a simple mix of rice and red or black beans, typically seasoned with ingredients like onions, bell peppers, garlic, and various spices. Can be served as a side dish alongside various proteins such as eggs, cheese, plantain, and/or meat), “Chancho con yuca” (is a dish where tender, slow-cooked pork meets the earthy sweetness of yuca), “Indio Viejo” (shredded meat, typically beef or chicken, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, mint leaves, and masa), “Pinolillo” (it is made from ground roasted cacao beans, ground corn, and cinnamon. The ingredients are mixed with water and sometimes sweetened with sugar to create a unique beverage)

Electricity and plug types

For Nicaragua there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Nicaragua operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

Health and insurance

The Ministry of Health (MINSA) is the main healthcare provider and responsible for managing health on the national level. MINSA’s mission is to provide free and universal healthcare services to its citizens. Nicaragua also has a mandatory contribution system known as Instituto Nicaragüense de Seguridad Social (INSS), or the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute. Salaried workers are required to enrol in INSS. INSS provides its beneficiaries and their dependents with a predefined package of services through a network of Medical Service Provider Corporations (EMPs), as well as public and private healthcare providers. The private healthcare system in Nicaragua is run by non-governmental organizations and health insurance companies. For most locals, private healthcare is unaffordable. The locals depend heavily on the public healthcare system. However, for travellers, private healthcare tends to be inexpensive and accessible. Although Nicaragua’s economy is growing, there can still be certain specialized treatments that cannot be accommodated even in the country’s best hospitals. Hence, if you are a visitor, you need a health insurance plan in case you are faced with such a circumstance. Most medical staff in public hospitals and local clinics speak only Spanish. Private hospitals do have English-speaking staff, but that does not guarantee their level of competency.

Some vaccines are recommended or required for Nicaragua: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid, and for rabies for those coming into contacts with animals, especially bats.

Visitors from a yellow fever infected area in the Americas or Africa require proof of their vaccination before entry.

If you are visiting low-altitude areas malaria can be a risk. Consider getting an antimalarial medication from your local travel health specialist.

Zika virus is present in Nicaragua. Women who or pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid travel to the region. Dengue, another mosquito-borne disease, is also present in the country. Take extra precautions including bringing mosquito repellents and using bed netting.

Other

Tipping is not widespread. In many restaurants, a 10% service charge might already be included in the bill, especially in tourist areas. If a service charge is not included, leaving a 10-15% tip for good service is customary.

Drones are banned in Nicaragua