Until 1990, civil wars and citizen unrest rocked the tiny country of Nicaragua, which sits north of Costa Rica and south of El Salvador and Honduras. Since then, the country has begun rebuilding and is growing in popularity with tourists to Central America. Because decades of war prevented significant advances in technology and construction in Nicaragua, you will find the country much as it was before the violence — peaceful and unspoiled by tourism.

Popular Destinations

Most travelers to Nicaragua head straight to colonial Granada, with its brightly colored buildings and well-developed tourist infrastructure. South of Granada, the beach town of San Juan del Sur offers a long strip of waterfront and budget surfing lessons. To the east, the island of Ometepe sits in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, with its two towering volcanoes dominating the horizon. The New York Times calls Ometepe an unexpected gem and of the lake, "It’s a near-mythical tropical lake, one of the largest in the world, ringed by volcanoes and forest." For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, head north to Leon, where a few travelers wander the street markets and try sandboarding on a nearby volcano. In the far north, the green hills of Esteli hold coffee plantations. In the ocean off of Nicaragua's east coast, the Corn Islands offer a retreat for tourists looking to relax on white sand beaches.


When traveling outside of Granada, Ometepe and San Juan del Sur, you will find few locals who speak any English. For this type of trip, you should possess at least the basics of Spanish. At the very least, know how to ask for directions, talk about taxi and bus fares, request a room or bed, and understand basic conversation about times. The more Spanish you know, the better you will negotiate reasonable taxi prices — Nicaraguan taxi drivers are known for unreasonable price increases for travelers who cannot speak enough Spanish to defend themselves. Lonely Planet notes that Managua taxis are unmetered and the cab drivers are notorious for ripping off tourists.


Nicaragua is a small country but offers a network of shuttles, taxis, long-distance buses and "chicken" buses, which are usually old American school buses that have been converted into public transportation. Fares are cheap, usually under $15 (as of 2010) for even the longest trip. The small vans that run from Managua to Leon, for example, usually charge $2 for the two-hour trip. Some cities have a designated bus station, and you can usually pick up a bus or a shuttle by flagging it down; a bus attendant is usually yelling the destination as the bus rolls through town. Always ask at your hotel or hostel for reasonable taxi fares, and insist on the price with the driver; never get into a cab until you have both agreed on a price.


Nicaragua is a remarkably safe country, with few violent crimes against foreigners; according to Lonely Planet, Nicaragua is "one of the safest countries in the Americas." People are generally quite friendly, but as in any developing nation, poverty drives petty crime. Keep a close eye on your belongings, particularly when traveling by bus. If someone takes your bag to put it under or on top of a bus, watch until it has been securely stowed; sit on the same side of the bus and keep an eye out each time the bus stops to be sure your luggage doesn't "accidentally" go home with someone else. Keep any valuable items in your day pack, and never set it on the floor or in overhead racks. If you feel uneasy, keep your credit cards, cash and passport in a money belt under your clothes.

Female Travelers

Machismo is prevalent throughout Central America, but is a particular problem in Nicaragua. The Adventure Guide Nicaragua cautions that, "catcalls and overly friendly would-be suitors are not uncommon. Ignoring advances is the best solution." This street harassment is often worse for solo females and blonde women. Occasionally, Nicaraguan men will try to touch foreign women in the street, which is unacceptable even by local cultural standards. If a man touches you in the street, reprimand him sharply (in Spanish, if possible) or yell loudly to embarrass and surprise him — chances are, he will be so shocked that he will run away. As a precaution, avoid walking alone in unpopulated places after dark and do not take a solo tour with a male guide.

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