Alert: Reissuance of the Nicaragua Travel Advisory and Country Information (January 11, 2024) (2024)

FAQs

Alert: Reissuance of the Nicaragua Travel Advisory and Country Information (January 11, 2024)? ›

Event: The Department of State reissued the Travel Advisory and Country Information for Nicaragua on January 11, 2024 with updates to information on arbitrary enforcement of laws. This reissuance contains no changes in the advisory level from the previous Travel Advisory dated July 20, 2023.

Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability. Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime.

Nicaragua has a high crime rate, including armed robbery, assault and express kidnapping. There aren't many police outside major urban areas. Avoid remote locations. Don't go out alone or at night.

COVID-19 Information: As of July 21, 2023, the Nicaraguan government lifted all COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Travelers arriving in Nicaragua do not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Both Costa Rica and Nicaragua are relatively safe countries. Nicaragua is statistically safer than Costa Rica, in terms of crime rate that is officially recorded. According to records, Nicaraguan crime rate has been declining over the past couple decades, whereas Costa Rica's crime rate has been increasing.

Violent Crime. Nicaragua has the lowest violent crime rate in Central America with far less violent crime than the more popular tourist destinations of Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Mexico, or Guatemala*. In fact, Nicaragua has a violent crime rate considerably lower than the average in urban areas of the USA**.

Sure, there are spots where you'd want to keep your wits about you—big cities at night or isolated areas—but that's just common sense talking wherever on globe-trotting adventures take you. In summary, Nicaragua is a country where certain security precautions need to be taken, especially for women traveling alone.

Friendly bilateral relations now exist between Nicaragua and the United States.

Nicaragua has a moderate safety level for solo female travelers. It's generally peaceful with friendly locals, but like everywhere, precaution is still needed. Street crime including theft and pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded places.

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

What vaccines do you need to go to Nicaragua? ›

Courses or boosters usually advised: Hepatitis A. Other vaccines to consider: Rabies; Tetanus; Typhoid. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Hepatitis B.

Nicaragua remains the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, despite averaging over four percent GDP growth annually since 1995. Nicaragua's GDP per capita reached approximately $2,100 in 2021. About 30 percent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2020.

The overall Travel Advisory for Nicaragua remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability. Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime. Please read the full Travel Advisory and Country Information for more details.

The cost of living is very affordable

Nicaragua is the biggest nation in Central America, yet its living costs are among the lowest. It is definitely one of the most important benefits of living here. This stunning country has many low-cost attractive destinations for expats looking to move abroad.

There is a cleare difference though and that is price: Costa Rica is about twice as expensive as Nicaragua. Like Costa Rica, Nicaragua has a range of tourism infrastructure, from budget hostel to 5-star resorts.

Costa Rica - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Country Summary: While petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, occurs in Costa Rica.

When is the best time to visit Nicaragua? The best time to visit Nicaragua is between November and May — the country's dry season. You'll see plenty of sunny days, with temperatures sitting between 77 to 82°F in the majority of the country. You may experience a tropical shower along the Caribbean coastline.

Petty crimes:Low

San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua is relatively safe with a lower occurrence of petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching. However, like any other tourist spots, travelers should always exercise caution and protect their belongings.