Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Nicaragua, an amazing country in Central America. We loved visiting Nicaragua, but there are a few things that might surprise you when you on your Nicaragua vacation. That’s why we’re sharing the top things that will shock you in Nicaragua!
Taking the Chicken Bus
Taking a chicken bus is kind of a traveler’s rite of passage in Central America. It’s called the chicken bus because you’ll probably find some chickens (or other livestock) on board. They’re the main way to get around between cities in Nicaragua. A lot of them are old yellow school buses that have been repurposed as public transportation. You can upgrade your transportation to a private driver or express bus, but you really should try a chicken bus at least once during your Nicaragua vacation!
Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Besides the chicken buses, another way to get around in Nicaragua is the pickup truck taxi. If you grew up in the 80s, this is a fun throwback to riding around town in the back of a truck. It’s a great way to travel short distances between towns or around town. Don’t be surprised if you see three or four people on one motorcycle, too!
Taxi Sharing
Another shock may come if you are riding around in a taxi and they stop to let another passenger in. When you take a taxi in Nicaragua, you’re paying for one seat, not the whole car. If you want the whole taxi to yourself, you need to let the driver know, and be prepared to pay much more for the ride.
Prices in Nicaragua
It’s truly shocking how cheap it is to visit Nicaragua. You can get a decent hotel for $25 to $35 per night. If you eat at the market, you’ll spend about $2 for a whole meal. Even in the main tourist areas, the prices are shockingly low. We ate in the main square and paid less than $20 for seven people!
What to Know Before You Visit Nicaragua
Poverty in Nicaragua
Those cheap prices come at a cost. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, so you will encounter poverty during your visit. While bargaining is part of the culture when shopping here, keep in mind how much you are really bargaining over. Rather than hand out money, we will often buy food for someone, especially children that are out begging for money.
Rice and Beans
In Central America, you’ll be shocked at how many variations of rice and beans you will have. At every meal. You’ll have rice and beans with your eggs at breakfast, rice, and beans with chicken for lunch, and maybe beans and rice with beef for dinner. Rice and beans are two of the cheapest foods, so they’re very popular in a poor country such as Nicaragua. Besides rice and beans, you have to try some of the street food in Nicaragua as it’s excellent!
Volcanoes in Nicaragua
Volcanoes are so prevalent in Nicaragua that they’re actually on the flag. Volcanoes are a major tourist attraction in Nicaragua; you can surf down volcanoes, swim in a volcano crater, or watch the lava flow at night.
Nicaragua Beaches
Besides volcanoes, Nicaragua has some fantastic beaches! And many of them are practically empty. Tourism in Nicaragua has been slower to take off compared to other Central American countries, so they see far fewer visitors than Costa Rica or Belize. Of all the places to visit in Nicaragua, the beaches are a must!
Power Outages
This is still a developing country in many areas, so you find power outages in the more rural areas. They’re pretty common and nothing to worry about, but you don’t want to be caught off guard. Often times it’s just a flicker, while other times you may have no power from five minutes to an hour.
Heat & Sun in Nicaragua
It can get really hot in Nicaragua! Yes, that’s kind of obvious, but don’t underestimate the heat in Nicaragua, especially when planning out your day. Late afternoon is nearly unbearable, so that’s a good time for a siesta or a swim. Stay hydrated and bring lots of SPF!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
We were shocked at how much we loved Nicaragua; it’s really an ideal family vacation destination. It’s affordable and there are a ton of fun things to do, especially if you love nature and the outdoors. Looking for more tips on travel in Central America? Check out some of our other blog posts!