Nicaragua Travel Guide

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Country Facts

Location

Central America.

Language

Spanish. Along the Mosquito Coast (Costa de Mosquito), there are English-speaking communities in which African or mixed African and indigenous Indians predominate.

Area

120,254 sq km (46,430 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT - 6.

Electricity

110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Population

5,891,199 (2009).

Population Density

48 per sq km.

Capital City

Managua. Population: 1.5 million (2009).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Head of State

President Daniel Ortega since 2007.

Religion

75% Roman Catholic; 15% Protestant; 10% other.

Recent History

Former president Daniel Ortega beat conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre in the October 2006 presidential elections. Ortega previously led the country from 1979 to 1990, during which time around 50,000 people died in the civil war.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +505.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Check with your provider before traveling. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet

Internet access is available in all main towns.

Media

Nicaraguan media represents both pro- and anti-government views. There are several television networks and over 100 radio stations. Cable TV is available in most urban areas.

Post

Most larger towns have an Enitel telecommunications and postal office.Mon-Sat 0900-1730.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Apr Holy Thursday
22 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
19 Jul Liberation Day
14 Sep Battle of San Jacinto
15 Sep Independence Day
2 Nov All Souls’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Apr Holy Thursday
6 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
19 Jul Liberation Day
14 Sep Battle of San Jacinto
15 Sep Independence Day
2 Nov All Souls’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day
A considerable number of local holidays are also observed.

Contact Information

Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR)

Hotel Crowne Plaza, 1 cuadra al sur, 1 cuadra al oeste, Managua, Nicaragua
Tel: 254 5191.
Website: www.visit-nicaragua.com

Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in the UK

Vicarage House, Suite 31, 58-60 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4DB, UK
Tel: (020) 7938 2373.
Website: www.cancilleria.gob.ni/servicios/visas.shtml (visa information only)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230.

Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in the USA

1627 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 939 6570.
Website: www.cancilleria.gob.ni/servicios/visas.shtml (visa information only)