Nicaragua Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Travelers entering Nicaragua must have at least six months' validity remaining on their passport. Travelers from most western countries do not need to arrange a visa prior to entry. Tourist cards are granted on arrival for $5 and are good for stays up to 90 days for travel among any of the C-4 countries (Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala). All visitors must be in possession of onward or return tickets, documents for their destination outside of Nicaragua and at least USD 200.

Americans

Americans require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

UK Nationals

UK nationals require a passport valid for six months after departure, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

Canadians

Canadians require a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

Australians

Australians require a passport valid for six months ofter the date of arrival, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

South Africans

South Africans require a passport valid for 6 months after departure, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a passport valid for six months after departure, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for six months after departure, but a visa is not necessary for tourist stays of up to 90 days. A tourist card, costing $5, will need to be purchased on arrival.

Healthcare

Medical facilities in Nicaragua are only found in major towns, the best of which are in Managua. Rural communities lack modern hospitals and equipment. If a hospital is needed, travelers should indicate they desire a private hospital. Insect repellent should be used to avoid malaria and dengue fever, both of which are carried by mosquitoes. They should take choloroquine, for two weeks before travel through four weeks after, to prevent malaria. Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid vaccines are recommended for travelers and rabies vaccinations for travelers in contact with animals. The most common affliction is traveler's diarrhoea which is preventable by safe water and food consumption. Travelers should not drink tap water and use common sense when addressing uncooked foods. Visitors from a yellow fever infected area in the Americas or Africa are required to prove they have had vaccination before entry.

Safety

Although rural areas in Nicaragua are particularly void of police, there has been a recent increase in crime in these areas. Theft and violent crime are becoming more common in the usually safe country. Travelers should be careful of muggings in taxis and only use official taxis with a red license plate. Buses should not be used after dark. Resulting from poor road conditions, highway driving is especially dangerous during night and should be avoided. Despite these risks, Nicaragua is still one of the safest countries to travel in the region.