Nicaragua Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Nicaragua.
Healthcare System
Nicaragua has a two-tier healthcare system consisting of public facilities (mostly free but often overcrowded with limited resources) and private clinics and hospitals that cater to those with insurance or ability to pay. Private healthcare facilities are concentrated in major cities like Managua, Granada, and León.
Hospitals
Major private hospitals include Hospital Vivian Pellas (Managua), Hospital Metropolitano (Managua), and Hospital Bautista (Managua). These facilities accept international insurance and credit cards. Private clinics exist in tourist areas like Granada and San Juan del Sur but have limited capabilities for serious conditions.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (farmacias) are widely available in cities and towns, with many medications available over-the-counter that would require prescriptions elsewhere. Major chains include Farmacia Kielsa and Farmacia Medco. Pharmacists can often provide basic medical advice. Ensure medications are not expired and are properly sealed.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended and often required by tour operators. Confirm your policy covers Nicaragua specifically, as some insurers exclude certain countries or require additional premiums.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications in original containers with copies of prescriptions
- Private healthcare requires upfront payment or credit card guarantee before treatment
- Keep receipts and medical documentation for insurance claims
- Water quality varies; stick to bottled or purified water to avoid gastrointestinal issues
- Dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika are present; use insect repellent containing DEET
- Malaria risk exists in some rural areas; consult a travel medicine clinic about prophylaxis
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft of unattended belongings are the most common crimes affecting tourists. Thieves often work in pairs or groups and target distracted tourists in crowded areas.
While less common than petty theft, armed robbery, mugging, and express kidnapping (forcing victims to withdraw money from ATMs) do occur, particularly in Managua and at night.
Road accidents are a significant risk due to poor road conditions, aggressive driving, lack of street lighting, pedestrians and animals on roads, and poorly maintained vehicles. Bus accidents on mountain roads occur periodically.
Since the 2018 political crisis, demonstrations can occur with little warning and occasionally turn violent with confrontations between protesters and security forces. Roadblocks may disrupt travel.
Strong Pacific Ocean currents, riptides, and lack of lifeguards at many beaches result in drownings each year. Some beaches have dangerous undertows.
Incidents of drinks being spiked with drugs have been reported in tourist areas, particularly in nightlife venues, sometimes leading to robbery or sexual assault.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Unlicensed or opportunistic taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists, particularly at airports, bus stations, and tourist sites. Some may take unnecessarily long routes or claim the meter is broken.
Someone approaches offering to be your guide or help you find your hotel, then demands payment afterward or leads you to shops/restaurants where they receive commission on your purchases.
Criminals attach skimming devices to ATMs to capture card information and PIN numbers, later using this to withdraw money or make fraudulent purchases.
Scammers impersonating police officers stop tourists claiming to need to check identification or search for drugs/counterfeit money, then steal valuables or demand bribes.
Hotels or hostels show nice photos online but provide substandard rooms, or claim your reservation doesn't exist and only more expensive rooms are available.
Unofficial porters grab your luggage and carry it to the bus, then demand excessive payment, sometimes becoming aggressive if you refuse.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Money and Valuables
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables you don't need daily
- Carry only the cash you need for the day in different pockets or locations
- Make copies of important documents and store separately from originals
- Inform your bank of travel dates to prevent card freezes
- Carry a dummy wallet with small amount of cash in case of robbery
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- The local currency is the córdoba, but US dollars are widely accepted; carry small bills
Transportation
- Use official registered taxis (red plates) or arrange transportation through your hotel
- Avoid chicken buses (old school buses) if possible as they're targets for theft and can be unsafe
- For intercity travel, use reputable bus companies with first-class service
- If renting a car, choose a reputable company with good insurance coverage
- Don't drive at night due to poor lighting, road conditions, and increased crime risk
- Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially in Managua
- Park in secure, attended parking lots rather than on streets
Accommodation
- Choose accommodations in safe neighborhoods; research locations before booking
- Ensure your room has working locks and use them, including chain locks when inside
- Don't leave valuables visible in your room even when locked
- Get to know the staff and ask them for safety advice about the local area
- Have the address and phone number of your accommodation written down
- Consider accommodations with 24-hour reception for added security
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication (Claro and Movistar are main providers)
- Download offline maps before traveling to areas with limited connectivity
- Share your itinerary with family or friends back home
- Learn basic Spanish phrases; English is limited outside tourist areas
- Keep your embassy's contact information saved in your phone
- Take photos of important documents and email them to yourself
Health Precautions
- Drink only bottled or purified water; avoid ice in drinks unless certain of water source
- Eat at busy, reputable restaurants; avoid street food if you have a sensitive stomach
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Bring a basic first aid kit including anti-diarrheal medication
- Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date; consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines
- Use sunscreen with high SPF and reapply regularly
- Avoid swimming in fresh water to prevent parasitic infections
General Awareness
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself
- Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid appearing distracted by phones or maps
- Don't display expensive cameras, jewelry, or electronics unnecessarily
- Learn about local customs and dress modestly, especially outside beach areas
- Avoid discussing politics or the government in public
- Make copies of police reports if you're a victim of crime for insurance purposes
- Register with your embassy's traveler program if available
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Nicaragua safely, though solo female travelers should take additional precautions. Machismo culture is present, and catcalling (piropos) is common, though usually harmless. Serious incidents are relatively rare but do occur. Women traveling together or in groups generally report fewer issues than solo travelers.
- Dress modestly outside of beach areas; covering shoulders and knees reduces unwanted attention
- Wear a wedding ring or mention a husband/boyfriend to deflect unwanted advances
- Book accommodations with good reviews from other solo female travelers
- Avoid walking alone at night; use registered taxis after dark
- Be firm and confident when declining offers or assistance
- Sit near other women or families on buses when possible
- Keep your phone charged and share your location with trusted contacts
- Trust your instincts; if someone makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation
- Consider joining group tours or activities to meet other travelers
- Learn assertive Spanish phrases like 'déjame en paz' (leave me alone)
- Be especially cautious in bars and nightclubs; watch your drinks and stick with trusted friends
- Consider staying in female-only dorm rooms in hostels
- Don't feel obligated to be polite if someone is making you uncomfortable
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Nicaragua, and the legal age of consent is equal for same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. However, there are no comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection; what's acceptable in your home country may not be here
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in advance; some hotels and hostels are more welcoming than others
- Connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations or online communities for current advice and safe venue recommendations
- Be aware that attitudes vary significantly between urban and rural areas, with rural areas being more conservative
- Consider your safety when deciding whether to be open about your orientation or gender identity
- Some international hotel chains in Managua tend to be more LGBTQ+-friendly
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics with people you don't know well
- Be prepared for curiosity or personal questions, which may come from ignorance rather than malice
- Granada and San Juan del Sur tend to be slightly more cosmopolitan and accepting than other areas
- Travel with a trusted companion when possible, especially in unfamiliar areas
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for Nicaragua due to the limited quality of public healthcare, high costs of private medical care, potential need for medical evacuation, risk of trip disruptions from natural disasters or political unrest, and the prevalence of petty crime. Medical evacuation to Costa Rica or the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.
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