Practical information during your trip to Nicaragua

If you are satisfied with the service, you can add up to 20%, which is much appreciated. Taxes normally represent 15%, and sometimes the prices indicated on the menus do not include them. Don’t hesitate to check the bill. For a bill to be legal in Nicaragua, amounts must be displayed in local currency, i.e. Cordoba. However, menus sometimes display prices in dollars, and the bill in Cordoba. If this is the case, be sure to ask for the exchange rate to check that the prices correspond and are consistent. Scams are rare, but miscalculations and exchange errors are more common.

Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Central America, but also one of the poorest. To avoid unpleasant encounters, you’ll need to think carefully about the neighborhoods you visit. In Managua, you’ll want to avoid the poorer suburbs and more popular areas such as bus terminals, bus stations and markets. Most problems occur after dark, so avoid these places in the dark. As a precaution, put your camera away after every shot, keep a few bills in your pocket to avoid taking out your wallet for every payment, and don’t show off your valuables. On the Corn Islands or the Caribbean coast in general(Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas) you’ll need to be particularly vigilant. On the beach, belongings can quickly disappear, so just take what you need. If you’re going out at night, avoid valuables. As the region is frequented by drug traffickers, you’ll need to be extra vigilant when meeting new people. In general, avoid driving at night: the roads are unlit and road users can be, shall we say, unexpected: stray or free-roaming animals, drivers without headlights, cyclists, pedestrians, carts..

Nicaragua’s tropical, humid climate makes the country a health risk. The tiger mosquitoes present in Nicaragua transmit several diseases through the bloodstream, including dengue fever, the Zika virus and chikungunya. It is therefore advisable to protect yourself from mosquito bites by using powerful, appropriate repellents, covering clothing, mosquito nets and other diffusers. When in Nicaragua, you should be wary of water and uncooked food that may have come into contact with it. Avoid drinking tap water, and eating raw meat and fish outside high-end restaurants. As for the bugs you might encounter, be sure to shake out your shoes and sheets before slipping into them, as these are a favorite refuge for small black scorpions.

Here, you drive on the right, just like in France. Traffic lights are quite rare in the country, except in the capital, Managua. The rest of the time, « ALTO » signs indicate the obligation to stop and are the equivalent of our French STOP signs. There is no system of priority on the right, and whoever honks first to signal their arrival retains the right to pass without stopping at the crossroads. Some streets are one-way, however, and this will be indicated by a large white arrow. For parking, the prohibition of sidewalks is indicated by yellow paint on the curb. In parking lots, there’s often a person in charge of looking after the vehicles, who can sometimes help you to park. You can give him a few cordobas and he’ll keep an eye on things while you’re away. The speed limit on the main roads is 80km/h, and police are regularly posted along the sides to penalize those who don’t respect it. Seatbelts are compulsory at the front, and overtaking is often carried out from the right. As in all Central American countries, and even more so in developing ones, you are advised not to drive at night. In any case, when you leave your vehicle, don’t leave valuables inside, and certainly not in a visible position. Remember to stow the GPS and take your belongings with you. Simple preventive measures to avoid attracting curious onlookers.