Nicaragua

By air:

• Aeromexico (direct flight from Mexico City)
• American Airlines (direct flight from Miami)
• Avianca (Flights from Miami, connections from LA, New York, Canada, Mexico and Central America)
• Copa (direct flight from Panama)
• Spirit Airlines (direct flight from Ft. Lauderdale)
• United Airlines (direct flight from Houston)

By land:

• Regional bus companies have regular transfers between Managua and the Central American capitals.

• Valid passport for at least six (06) months
• You must purchase a tourist card for US$10 at the airport (exact change recommended), valid for up to a total of 90 days in any of the member countries of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua).

Nationals of these countries, according to the type of passport they carry, require visa to come to Nicaragua:

Afghanistan / Albania / Angola / Argelia / Armenia / Asmara Eritrea / Bangladesh / Bosnia & Herzegovina / China / Congo / North Korea / Cuba / Ethiopia / Ghana / Haiti / India / Indonesia / Iraq / Iran / Jordan / Laos / Lebanon / Liberia / Libya /  Mali / Mongolia / Mozambique / Nepal / Nigeria / Palestine / Pakistan / Sierra Leona / Syria / Somalia / Sri Lanka / Sudan / Timor / Vietnam / Yemen

When entering Nicaragua, people from the countries mentioned above, must submit:

• Valid passport for at least six (06) months
• Return ticket to their country of origin or residence
• Visa

*Exceptions to these requirements: citizens from these countries who are holders of diplomatic, official and service passports issued by their respective Governments.

Nicaraguan authorities have emitted a resolution on January 17 2017 that establishes a series of measures to prevent the introduction of Yellow Fever into the country, protecting the health of its citizens and visitors.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the countries at risk for Yellow Fever are:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú and Venezuela. The measure also includes every African country, except for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia.

1. All travelers over 1 year of age, who live in a country at risk of transmission of yellow fever published by the WHO, and who wish to enter Nicaragua, must present the International Certificate of Vaccine against yellow fever with date of application at least ten (10) days before arrival in the country.
2. Every traveler who has visited a country at risk of transmission by yellow fever published by the WHO and that left that country more than 10 days before and has no symptoms, is not required to present the International Certificate of Vaccine against yellow fever to enter our country.
3. An International Certificate of Vaccine against yellow fever will not be requested from any traveler that was on transit (air connection) to a country at risk of transmission of yellow fever published by the WHO.
4. Previous presentation of medical evidence that supports people with egg allergy as a component of the vaccine, people with impaired immunity; and people over 60 years old, will not be asked for the International Certificate of Vaccine against yellow fever.
5. As a precaution foreign pregnant women and lactating women will not be asked for the International Certificate of Vaccine against yellow fever, upon presentation of a medical certificate.
6. Every traveler visiting a country at risk of transmission by yellow fever published by the WHO, wishing to enter Nicaragua, must be vaccinated in their country of origin, 10 days before starting the trip.

• Pick clothes that are light and breathable in the heat. If you are visiting the northern area, a light sweater may be useful.
• If you are traveling during rainy season or to Rio San Juan, you should consider bringing long trousers, hiking boots and a light raincoat.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Sunscreen, sun glasses and a hat.
• Binoculars.
• Flashlight.
• Camera equipment and plenty of film/memory cards (batteries and chargers).
• Basic medical kit:
  • Antiseptic.
  • Antibiotics.
  • Pain Reliever.
  • Nausea, diarrhea and sinus congestion medications.
  • Band-Aids.
  • Guaze.
  • Insect repellent.

• Rainy Season: May to October
• Summer: November to April

The weather changes according to the three zones of the country:

• Pacific: It is a very dry area with little rain. Temperatures range between 27ºC-32ºC (81ºF-90ºF); during the summer between 30ºC-35ºC (86ºF-95ºF)
• Central: It is a mountainous area with cold and wet weather.
• Caribbean: It is the most humid and tropical area of the country with high temperatures and constant rain.

• Exercise common sense and ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.
• Carry a photocopy of the identification page of your passport and a photocopy of the page that was stamped by local immigration authorities at the point of entry, and keep the original in a secure place.
• Avoid carrying expensive jewelry and electronics. These items will only attract undue attention.
• If you have to carry expensive items, get travel insurance.
• Avoid driving on rural roads at night since many of the roads have potholes, and are poorly lit, narrow, and/or lack shoulders, and further damage occurs during the rainy season.
• Where possible, withdraw cash from inside a bank.

• The Nicaraguan currency is the Córdoba (C$), sometimes called Peso.
• Córdobas come in coins of $0.10 C$0.25, C$0.50, C$1, C$5 and C$10; and bills of C$10, C$20, C$50, C$100, C$200, C$500 and C$1000.
• Most establishments accept payment in US dollars. We recommend using small denomination bills that are not torn up, stained or have writings on them.
• Do not exchange money at the airport, the rate it’s not good. If you want, our tour guide can take you to a bank or to a currency exchange office in Managua.
• Euros can be changed only by a few banks in Managua.
• Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and stores in both urban and tourist areas. In some areas additional rates apply for payments with credit cards.
• For safety reasons it’s always better to bring a debit card instead of a credit card.
• Make sure you let your bank know you will be using the card in Nicaragua.

Tipping and taxes

• Airport/hotel baggage handlers: US$1.00 per bag is acceptable.
• For restaurants and other services, 10-15% of value of service is customary but not obligatory.
• Sales tax is 15% and hotel tax is 2%