Why Nicaragua? As easily as you can list all the reasons why people flock to Costa Rica you can say about this Central American gem. They share much the same geography while Nicaragua is bigger, cheaper, and safer. It boasts an enormous freshwater lake with twin volcanoes piercing its centre and the gorgeous city of Granada on its shore. The better question to ask yourself is, how soon can I get there?
Visa requirements may change, for the most up to date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the Nicaraguan embassy website in your country of departure.
Recommended vaccinations for Nicaragua include hepatitis a, tetanus, rabies, and typhoid. You’ll also need to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you’ve travelled from somewhere with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
As advice can often change, you can check out Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.
Generally, the best time to visit Nicaragua is during the dry season, which runs from November to late April/early May. The days are sunny and the temperatures are hot — expect temperatures on average of around 28°C (82.4°F) — reaching highs of 35°C (95°F) in cities like León.
Semana Santa (or Holy Week) in March or April is usually extremely busy, but it’s a fantastic time to come. You’ll be able to follow the pasos (depictions of Christ and the Virgin Mary) processions as they head through towns and cities.
Nicaragua has a tropical climate with temperatures tending to range from around 25 to 32°C (77 to 89.6°F) throughout the year. Cities like León are often even warmer, where it can reach highs of 35°C (95°F) or more during the months of March and April. As with most tropical countries, there’s a dry season (November to late April/early May) and a wet season here (May to November), and rainfall reaches its peak in September and October when it can reach highs of 203mm (8 inches) and flooding and landslides can occur during this period.
You should also be aware that hurricanes and tropical storms can and do occur here. Two hit during the 2022 season, so it pays to be aware and to take heed of local warnings.
Tipping is fairly common across Latin America, especially in restaurants and bars where 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular other service, then you’re more than welcome to tip!
There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.
Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-7 per person, per day can be used.
You’ll find Wi-Fi in most restaurants, hostels, hotels and in some public spaces too in Nicaragua. Expect it to be fairly good in most places, but in rural areas expect it to be more limited. As many places here are also run by generators, expect Wi-Fi to often go down during bad weather and downpours.
While ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, they may not be available in rural areas, and there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work here. Check with your bank before you travel. Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, and Visa cards tend to be the most widely accepted cards here.
You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money — bring USD in cash too, which can easily be exchanged.
As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.
Even though it’s officially legal to be LGBTQ+ in Nicaragua, it’s still a relatively conservative country, and same-sex marriage is still currently banned. It pays to be discreet and we’d recommend avoiding public displays of affection — particularly outside larger cities and towns.
As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.
While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.
The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish, or Castilian, which is spoken by most of the population. Seven other languages are also spoken here, including Creole on the Caribbean coast, as well as Garífuna and Miskito too.
In a word, no — tap water in Nicaragua isn’t safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country though and is relatively cheap.
Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.
Most visits to Nicaragua are safe, however, it should be noted that there are fairly high levels of crime here — particularly within cities like Managua and León. You should be wary of pickpockets in large towns and cities, as well as tourist scams in Granada.
Strong currents abound off sections of Nicaragua's Pacific coast, and people have drowned every year. You should also be aware that there are hurricanes here which occasionally make landfall and earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions can occur too. Take heed of local warnings. Be careful when riding a moped or scooter here too, as accidents have been reported.
G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.
