Nicaragua Travel Tips: The “Don’ts” of Visiting Nicaragua
Today we’re in Las Isletas, the islands just outside of Grenada, Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a fantastic travel destination, with so many things to do, from colonial cities to beautiful beaches and islands. There are many things you will want to do when you visit Nicaragua, but there’s also some things you shouldn’t do. So today, we’re sharing the “don’ts” of traveling in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #1 Don’t Get Upset with “Nica” Time
“Nica Time” is Nicaragua time. Five minutes usually means 15 minutes. Things move at a slower pace, so travelers need to have a bit of patience. This applies to buses, food service or pretty much anything in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #2 Don’t Miss Out on Local Buses
Don’t be scared to take a local bus, or the chicken bus. The local buses in Central America are often called chicken buses because there might actually be a few chickens on the bus, or some produce being transported. Taking a chicken bus is a quintessential cultural experience of Nicaragua. They’re also very cheap, so it’s a great option for budget travelers in Nicaragua. If you’re not sure how to find a chicken bus, just look for the retired yellow American school buses. They’ve all been re-purposed down here.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #3 Don’t Pack a Lot
It’s really hot in Nicaragua, you won’t need a lot of clothes, and you won’t need to dress up for anything. As you travel around Nicaragua, the less things you have to carry, the better. An added benefit of packing light means you’ll have more room to bring home souvenirs, like rum and cigars! You can even get by with flip-flops most of the time, although hiking boots are essential for anyone planning to do any hikes around the volcanoes.
Read: 5 Things To NEVER Pack in Your Checked Luggage
Nicaragua Travel Tip #4 Don’t Forget to Bring U.S. Dollars
Nicaragua is very much a cash based society. The local currency is the Córdoba, or they also accept U.S. dollars. Once you leave the larger cities, you won’t see a lot of places that accept credit cards, so it’s crucial to have cash when traveling through Nicaragua. It also helps to have a lot of small bills, as things aren’t very expensive and you’ll want to tip folks along the way, too.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #5 Don’t Freak Out About Being in Nicaragua
When people in the U.S. think about Nicaragua, they think about conflicts like Iran-Contra that happened 30 years ago. Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Latin America, in terms of homicides and violent crime. Sure, pickpockets can be found in every country, but when it comes to serious crime, Nicaragua feels very safe. Of course, usual precautions apply, such as paying attention to your surroundings and not traveling alone at night, but it’s something that travelers need to worry about.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #6 Don’t Drink the Tap Water in Nicaragua
There is bottled water everywhere, so don’t drink the tap water in Nicaragua, as it can cause some stomach issues for travelers.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #7 Don’t Forget to Bargain
Bargaining is part of the shopping culture in Nicaragua. When shopping at the markets, don’t forget to bargain a bit, as they expect it. Keep in mind, though, when you’re down to haggling over ten Córdobas, it’s about 30 cents, so don’t try to drive the bargain as low as they’ll go as the U.S. equivalent is really cheap.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #8 Don’t Just Stay in Managua
Managua was destroyed by an earthquake in the ’70’s, so there’s not a lot of history left. Travelers in Nicaragua should try to see other parts of the country, in cites like Leon and Granada. Then there are the islands, and the beaches, like San Juan del Sur. Get out and explore the country, it’s fantastic!
Read: 11 Travel Hacks That You Can Actually Use
Nicaragua Travel Tip #9 Don’t Underestimate the Sun in Nicaragua
The sun is very strong in Nicaragua, so don’t underestimate it. Wear sunblock and reapply often. Even with SPF70, we’re still getting a bit of sunburn. The heat is also very strong, so be prepared for heat and sun in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #10 Don’t Be Surprised if You Share a Taxi
Taxis operate differently in Nicaragua. Passengers pay for individual seats, so there could be other people sharing the taxi. It can cost extra to have a taxi all to yourself.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #11 Don’t Lose Your Immigration Card
Upon arrival in Nicaragua, you’ll receive an immigration card. Don’t lose it! You will need it when you leave the country.
Nicaragua Travel Tip #12 Don’t Be Surprised if You Fall in Love With Nicaragua
We weren’t expecting much, but we have been pleasantly surprised at how fantastic Nicaragua travel has been.
For more Central America travel tips, check out some of our travel videos: