NICARAGUA
“The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes” is a country you must visit during your Latin American travels! Sadly though, most people leave Nicaragua off their itinerary leaving me to tell you how truly underrated it is. When it comes to budget travel and getting your most adventure per dollar (APD), this country easily finds itself in my top five. Be sure to spend a week or two in this country to experience why I call it a backpacker’s haven!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO), but most institutions accept U.S. Dollars.
$1 USD = C$35 (or 35 NIO)
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = C$1,600-C$2,100/Night ($45-$60 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = C$550-C$1,050/Day ($15-$30 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Hostel Expenses = C$210-C$560/Night ($6-$16 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = C$140-C$490/Day ($4-$14 USD/Day)
Communication:
Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua. Although some people will know English, I recommend having some Spanish comprehension skills to navigate the markets and other non-touristy areas.
Transportation:
Direct Shuttle Bus: For those who do not prefer public transportation, this is a great option! You can book private vans or share them with passengers (most have a max capacity of 12). Book through Gekko Trails Explorer.
Bus: Traveling by bus through Nicaragua is not only easy but it is also extremely inexpensive. Depending on the route, you will either take a public bus or chicken bus. Like Costa Rica, there is no unified national bus network but buses come in and out of the main tourist destinations multiple times daily.
Airplane: Air travel is rare in Nicaragua mainly because there are not many airports. Additionally, if you are traveling on the western side of the country, the only airport of note is Managua’s international airport.
Taxi/Uber: Traveling by taxi in Nicaragua is common. You won’t have any problem hailing down a cab in any of the travel destinations I list out below. Uber is unavailable in Nicaragua.
Miscellaneous:
Bus times and schedules are lax in Central America but especially in Nicaragua. Don’t be surprised if a bus leaves 45 minutes after it was scheduled to leave or arrives an hour late.
Markets are your friend here! In León, I ate a large plate of gallo pinto (Nicaraguan rice and beans) for C$10 ($0.30 USD). Later that day, I bought 21 bananas for C$20 ($0.60 USD) - that is 3 cents per banana!
There is a $12 USD fee to enter Nicaragua and a $3 USD fee to exit the country.
Below are recommended vaccinations and prescriptions to obtain before travel to Central America. None of them are required, but a travel doctor I spoke with advised getting these shots and prescriptions to be safe:
Hepatitis A (shot)
Hepatitis B (shot)
Malaria (prescription for Mefloquine pills)
Traveler’s Diarrhea (Imodium pills to use just in case)
Typhoid (shot)
