Nicaragua FAQ’s
Below please find, in no particular order, a list of some of the most often asked questions that we receive in regards to Nicaragua. If there is anything that we have not covered for you, please contact us and we will be happy to help:
Where is Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is situated Central America, between Costa Rica to the south and Honduras to the north. Like Costa Rica, it has an eastern coast bordering on the Caribbean Sea and a western coast on the Pacific Ocean. It is the biggest country in Central America, slightly larger than the state of New York, and remains Central America’s least densely populated country with a population of almost 6 million. Nicaragua is six hours behind GMT (same as Central Time), but does not observe Daylight Savings Time, so during these months, April to October, Nicaragua is the same as Mountain Time (seven hours behind GMT).
What is the weather like?
Nicaragua is placed firmly in the tropics, meaning that climate is based purely on altitude. Temperatures are hot year round in the lowlands (high 80’s/90’s during the day/ 70’s at night) and cooler in the highlands. Most of Nicaragua has two seasons based on rainfall: a wet season and a dry season. Dry season runs from early November to mid-May and is generally considered to be the best time to travel. However, even during the height of the wet season, all day rains are rare. More commonly, travelers will experience brief heavy downpours interspersed with sun. The Caribbean side of Nicaragua experiences rain showers year round, with slightly lower rainfall in February through April.
Who are the Nicaraguans?
Most Nicaraguans are of both European and indigenous ancestry (Mestizo), and the culture of the country reflects the mixed Ibero-European and indigenous heritage of its people. Only the indigenous of the eastern half of the country remain ethnically distinct and retain their tribal customs and languages. A large black minority, of Afro-Caribbean origin, is concentrated along the Caribbean coast. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but Evangelical Protestantism has experienced rapid growth over the past 10 years. There are strong Anglican and Moravian communities on the Caribbean coast, and small Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish communities in Managua. Most Nicaraguans live in the Pacific lowlands and the adjacent interior highlands. The population is 58% urban.
Is it safe?
We can’t deny it. Nicaragua has a bad rep (based on wrong assumptions and outdated stories, but a bad rep nonetheless). The political history and civil war, along with the many natural disasters that have struck it, have made it a newsworthy country for many years, for all the wrong reasons. But the war ended a long time ago, in 1990, and Nicaragua has been at peace ever since. If you look at the country profiles for all the countries south of the border of the United States of America, as documented by the United States Department of State, all the way to Argentina and Chile, you will probably conclude that Nicaragua is the safest country of all. The Economist Intelligence Unit 2010 (EIU), a global leader in business intelligence, positioned Nicaragua and Costa Rica as the two safest countries in Central America. The report uses a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the most risky. The 2010 indicators have Nicaragua scoring 29, while Panama scored 37, Belize 53 and Honduras and Guatemala 68. According to INCAE, the Harvard Business school affiliate, Nicaragua is the safest country in all of Central America. The Inter-American Institute on Human Rights, and a survey of police forces in the Americas, supports this claim and places Managua as the safest capital in the region, and Nicaragua as the safest country in Central America, and among the safest countries in the world. Recent studies also point to Nicaragua’s low reported crime rate – lower than in Germany, France or the US. As in every large city in the world, there are parts of Managua that should be avoided. Don’t attend political rallies. Don’t take unlicensed taxis or public transportation in Managua. Don’t flaunt your wealth. The most important aspect in the level of safety will be your own behavior. By acting responsibly and taking the same basic precautions that you would take traveling anywhere, your trip to Nicaragua will most likely be extremely safe, like the vast majority of other tourists who come here.
What about other dangers in Nicaragua?
The main thing to worry about, health-wise, in Nicaragua is the sun. It is extremely strong and can fry those of us from northern climes very quickly. Be sensible – stay in the shade between 11am and 2pm and wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. Tap water can contain more chlorine than you might be used to, and drinking it is not recommended. Bottled water is available throughout Nicaragua, even in the smallest towns. The price is low and the water quality is high. Most of the hotels that we work with provide free bottled water in the rooms. Never drive on rural roads at night. If you can help it, don’t drive at night at all (this goes for all countries in Central America due to the state of the roads). If you must, stay on major highways and carry a cell phone. Be aware that there are strong currents off sections of Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast and powerful waves are not uncommon. Hiking in volcanic or other remote areas can be dangerous and travelers should take appropriate precautions. Hikers should have appropriate dress, footwear, and enough food and water for any trek undertaken. Never hike without a trusted local guide familiar with the terrain and area. Any hiking tour with us will come with an experienced, trusted guide.
Do I need any vaccinations to visit Nicaragua?
There are no official vaccinations needed, unless you are coming from a yellow fever-infected area, in which case you will need a certificate of vaccination. If you are spending a long period of time deep in rural Nicaragua, malaria medication may be recommended. Other than that, it’s worth being up to date on the general hepatitis A and B vaccinations, as well as typhoid, that you would be recommended to have in order to travel to Central America.
Tell me about money.
The currency in Nicaragua is the cordoba (travelers and expats just say “cords”). The cordoba’s rate of exchange is linked to the US dollar and there are currently about 24 cords to the dollar. US dollars are generally accepted as legal tender in most locations, though you should make sure to have small denominations of less than $20 and be aware that you will always receive your change back in cords. ATM machines are easy to find in the main tourist areas and you can withdraw funds in either cords or dollars. Credit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants and hotels. Euros, Canadian dollars and other currencies are not commonly accepted in Nicaragua.
What about food and drink?
Food is very cheap. A plate of food from the street will cost 30-60 cordobas. A typical dinner will consist of a meat, rice, beans, salad and some fried plantains, costing under US$5. Buffet-style restaurants/stalls called “fritanga” are very common, quality varies quite a bit. A lot of the food is fried in oil (vegetable or lard). It is possible to eat vegetarian: the most common dish is gallo pinto (beans and rice), and most places serve cheese (fried or fresh), fried plantains and cabbage salad. There are a ‘few’ vegetable dishes such as guiso de papas, pipián o ayote– a buttery creamy stewp of potato, zucchini or squash; guacamole nica made with hard-boiled eggs, breaded pipian (zucchini), and various fried fritters of potatoes, cheese and other vegetables. If you like meat, grilled chicken and beef is delicious. Also try the nacatamales, a traditional Sunday food, that is essentially a large tamal made with pork or beef and other seasonings. Indio Viejo is a corn meal (masa) based dished made with either shredded chicken or beef and flavored with mint. The typical condiment is “chilero” a cured onion and chile mixture of varying spiciness depending on the cook. Nicaraguan food is not known for being spicy, though either chilero or hot sauce is almost always available. Away from typical Nicaraguan cuisine, you will find many international restaurants offering all options, especially in Granada where it seems like there’s a new choice every week. San Juan del Sur has a host of great seafood places. One thing you will not see outside of Managua is the ubiquitous fast food chains that you find elsewhere throughout the world. “Tip Top” is a kind of like a Nicaraguan KFC, and is the only fast-food type place you’ll see outside Managua. We would be happy to give you our favorite restaurant recommendations in any part of Nicaragua where you’ll be. Local beers include Victoria, Toña, Premium, and Brahva, with Victoria and Toña being the most common. Although there is not much competition in the region, Nicaraguan beer is definitely the best in Central America! Rum is the liquor of choice, and Flor de Caña is regarded by many as the best rum in the world. Nicaraguans drink a huge variety of natural fruit juices and beverages (jugos naturales which are usually pure juices, and refrescos naturales which are fresh fruit juices mixed with water and sugar). Popular are tamarind, cantelope, watermellon, hibiscus flower (flor de jamaica), limeade, orange, grapefruit, dragon fruit, star fruit (usually mixed with orange), mango, papaya, pineapple, and countless others. “Luiquados” or shakes of fruit and milk or water are also popular, most common are banana, mango or papaya with milk.
How do I get to Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is served by Augosto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA), about 7 miles east of the center of Managua. Nicaragua is serviced by the following international airlines: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Copa Airlines, Grupo Taca and Nature Air, arriving from points in the US and Central and South America. Our flight experts will be happy to provide the best routes and airfare from wherever you will be coming from. Another option, especially if you are spending time in the southern Pacific zone of Nicaragua, is to fly into and/or out of Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR). Our transfer guides will be on hand to help you across the border in this instance. All passengers arriving by air into Nicaragua are charged a “tourist fee” of $10 per person. The exit tax of $35 per person may or may not be included in the price of the flight (check with your airline). Land border taxes range from US$5-8 depending on crossing and time of day. Please be aware that these taxes are subject to change, and your Travel Consultant or Client Service Rep will be able to tell you more.
Do I need a passport? What are the visa requirements?
A passport is required for all visitors to Nicaragua. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months to ensure entry into Nicaragua. Visas are not currently required for citizens of North America or the European Union for stays less than 90 days. Travelers from other nationalities should check with their local Nicaraguan Embassy for visa information. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each traveler’s responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa and passport information.
How about tipping?
Most restaurants include a 10% service charge, or tip, in the bill, although it is not mandatory to pay this. If you prefer to leave some money on the table to ensure that your waiter or waitress receives this, that’s fine too. Drivers, guides, hotel staff etc will always be happy to receive a couple of dollars or a few cordobas, but only feel free to tip for good service – tipping is not expected here. Again, Nicaragua is a very poor country, so a small tip for great service can make all the difference in the world to some people.
What is the electrical current?
Nicaragua uses 110 volt electricity, same as the US and Canada. Standard American plugs are used so US/Canadian travelers will not need an adaptor.
About Me
Profile: My name is James Dyde and I have been living in Nicaragua and Costa Rica for over 10 years helping people plan custom vacations using my expert knowledge of the country. Let me help you today!