Budget
Nicaragua is one of the cheapest destinations in America.
• Prices for private rooms for two start at 14 USD (12 EUR) in Managua, and 10 USD (8.5 EUR) in Granada and Ometepe.
• Food prices are generally low. A budget dinner costs somewhere between 3 and 10 USD (2.5 – 8.5 EUR). Street food prices start at 1.75 USD (1.5 EUR).
• Transportation costs are low in Nicaragua. Public transportation fares within the cities start at 0.25 USD (0.21 EUR). Intercity bus rides are cheap as well. A bus ride from Managua to Granada (1h 20min) costs approximately 1-2 USD (0.85-1,7 EUR). A ferry/boat ride from Rivas to Ometepe costs around 2 USD (1.7 EUR).
To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.
Where to stay
You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Nicaraguan experience.
Best time to go
Weather-wise the best time to visit Nicaragua is during the country’s dry season (from December to March). Hotels may be booked that time of year, therefore it’s better to make a reservation in advance. The rainy season is May through October. If you wish to avoid crowds, you should consider visiting Nicaragua during the shoulder season (the time between the high and the low season), which is in April and November.
Other information
♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.
♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.
♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.
♦ Language: The official language in Nicaragua is Spanish. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Spanish here.
♦ Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO)
♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to Nicaragua are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.
♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Nicaragua are A and B, the standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
♦ Time zone: UTC-06:00
♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Nicaragua. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, and malaria. To prevent malaria avoid mosquito bites. There is no risk of yellow fever in Nicaragua. The government of Nicaragua requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Currently, Zika virus is a risk in Nicaragua.
♦ Health and safety tips:
You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:
- Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
- Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
- Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
- Don’t carry a lot of money.
- Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
- Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
- Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
- Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
- Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
- Don’t count your money in public.
- Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
For other common safety concerns in Nicaragua, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.
To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.
• Tap water quality in Nicaragua is questionable. Drink bottled or filtered water instead.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.
• Nicaragua is relatively close to the equator and the sun is very strong. Therefore, always make sure to use sunscreen.
♦ Local Customs: Nicaraguans are very warm, friendly and welcoming. They are also very polite and courteous and they will appreciate it if you’ll return the favor. Address strangers with usted instead of tu. When entering a room, it’s customary to say hello to everyone (buenos días or buenas tardes). When meeting someone personally a friendly handshake is customary; friends kiss on one cheek. Solo female travelers tend to get a lot of male attention. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Nicaragua. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach. Revealing clothes are frowned upon. Always make sure to ask permission before taking someone’s pictures. Bargaining is only acceptable at street markets. Tipping is not expected, but it is appreciated.
Check out top things to see and do in Nicaragua, as well as top romantic experiences and adventures here.
