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Travel Information on Nicaragua
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Nicaragua (NI)
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| Continent: |
North America |
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| Area: |
129,494 km² |
| Population: |
5,570,129 |
| Capital city: |
Managua |
ISO code: |
NI |
| National language: |
Spanish |
International dialling code: |
+505 |
| Currency: |
Córdoba Oro |
Licence plate number: |
NIC |
| Flight routes from Nicaragua: |
110 |
Flight routes to Nicaragua: |
142 |
| Popular airports: |
Corn Island (RNI),
Puerto Cabezas (PUZ),
Managua (MGA),
Bluefields (BEF)
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| Large cities: |
Managua,
León,
Masaya,
Tipitapa,
Chinandega,
Matagalpa,
Estelí,
Granada,
Ciudad Sandino,
Juigalpa,
El Viejo,
Nueva Guinea,
Jinotega,
Bluefields,
Diriamba
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| Airlines based in Nicaragua: |
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Travelguide Nicaragua (North America)
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Location: the Republic of Nicaragua is in the middle of the narrow strip of land connecting South and North America. In the north it borders on Honduras, in the south on Costa Rica, in the west on the Pacific and in the east on the Caribbean Sea.
Geography: the country is crossed by 25 partly active volcanoes parallel to the Pacific coast and as a result its second name is “country of a thousand volcanoes”, which are also a popular sight in this central American country.
Mountains and rivers: the highest mountain is the 2,438 metre (7,998 ft) high volcano Pico Mogotón and the longest river in Nicaragua is the Rio Coco with a length of 780 km (484 miles) both are to be found on the border to Honduras. The biggest lake in Nicaragua is the Lago Cocibolca (lake Nicaragua). It is in the south-west of the state border to Costa Rica and is connected with the Managua lake in the north. Together, the two lakes form the tenth largest lake in the world. The lake and surrounding area is host to a large number of animals and is home to the rare Lake Nicaragua shark (a shark that is adapted to freshwater). Particularly worth a visit is Ometepe, the biggest island in the Lago Cocibolca. The area is well developed for tourists and there are many sandy beaches partly consisting of black volcano stone adding to the attraction. There is also an impressive crater lake at the summit of the Maderas volcano.
Climate and best time to travel: the tropical climate in Nicaragua has two seasons. The rainy season is between May and October, and the dry season is from November to April. The temperatures throughout the year fluctuate between 25° C and 35° C. The country can be divided up into three main regions that also have different climatic conditions. In the central mountains that cross the country from north to south, the vegetation is lush and colourful during the rainy season. During the dry season, many parts of the Pacific coast are dry and dusty. This is where 65% of the entire population are settled. In the Atlantic region on the Caribbean sea, which is not well developed, the climate is humid and warm all year round.
Language and communication: the official and national language is Spanish. English is only partly understood in the tourist resorts on the coast and in the larger cities. Learning a little Spanish is generally recommended for those travelling to South America as this opens the hearts and doors of the local inhabitants.
Health, Vaccinations and safety: Vaccinations against typhoid, polio and hepatitis A is recommended and should be kept up-to-date. Changas disease, spread by the „kissing bug“, may be contracted, and is especially common in the rural parts of the Pacific coast. Travellers arriving from the WHO list of infected areas are required to carry an up-to-date yellow fever vaccine certificate. There is a danger of contracting Malaria throughout the year and travellers should seek advice from their GP on taking suitable preventative medication before embarking on their journey. A comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers repatriation costs should also be obtained. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled or boiled to avoid infection.
Nicaragua is in an area endangered by earthquakes and hurricanes. Travelling in the rainy season is not recommended due to the strong rainstorms and frequent flooding. Visitors are also warned against travelling alone off the main roads in the northern parts of the country as many parts of the country are mined as a result of the civil war. Care should also be taken in bus stations and journeys across country, as thefts are common. Luggage should be watched.
The export of archaeological finds (such as “found gold coins”) and antiques is strictly forbidden and may result in lengthy prison sentences.
Entry requirements: holders of British passports may travel in Nicaragua for up to 3 months without requiring a visa but passports should be valid for at least six months and travellers should be in possession of an onward ticket from Nicaragua. Children are recommended to have their own passport with a photograph but an entry in the passport of the parent is also possible. Please check the Foreign Office website for more details.
Arrival and onward journey: there are no direct flights from Europe to Nicaragua. The journey usually entails 1 or 2 stopovers in the USA. The quickest connection is with Iberia from Madrid either stopping in Miami, Houston or New York, with connecting flights from there to Managuas International Airport Augusto C. Sandino (MGA) 12 km from the centre of the city. The national Nicaraguense de Aviacion (6Y) has good connections to Bluefields (BEF) and Puerto Cabezas (PUZ). The airline also serves many destinations in combination with an American airline TACA (TA) many destinations in South and Central America as well as a selection of airports in the North American continent.
Capital city: the capital of Nicaragua is Managua with over 1.5 million inhabitants in total. In the indigenous language the name Managua means „there where there is a large expanse of water“ and refers to the large lakes and lagoons that extend 20 km south of the city’s border on the banks of the Lago Xolotlan. The town, which was founded in the 16th century, was to a large extent destroyed by two earthquakes during the last 100 years. The buildings in the old town centre are well worth a visit; these include the National palace, the theatre and the president’s palace. These were completely reconstructed after the last earthquake in 1972.
Sights and Beaches: the city Santiago de los Caballeros de León, not far from the Pacific Ocean is on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites along with the ruins of the old town, that was destroyed by the volcano Momotobo. The cathedral Basilica de l´Asunción completed in the 19th century after 100 years of building is worth a visit and is the biggest and oldest in Central America. Other churches of interest are El Calvario, La Recoleccion, La Merced, La Felipe and San Francisco.
The most beautiful city in Nicaragua is Granada. The town is on the west coast of the Lago Cocibolca, at the foot of the 1,344 Meter high volcano Mombacho. During the Spanish colonial era, Granada was one of the most important ports in Central America, which is also evident here in the rich colonial building style. The city is the ideal starting point for almost all activities, as it is only 28 km from the international airport, and 40 km from Managua. Places of interest include the Cathedral dating from the year 1529, the baroque La Merced church, San Francisco Monastery and Las Isletas. Las Isletas is an island group consisting of 365 small islands that originated from a volcanic eruption of Mombacho. The islands are a popular destination with the local inhabitants of Granada and have a wonderful variety of flora and fauna..
The quiet Maix islands are ideal for a relaxing beach holiday, there is a wealth of vegetation on the islands and they are accessible by aeroplane from Managua or Bluefields.
San Juan del Sur is also ideal for a beach holiday. The town is in the south-west of Nicaragua and is equally popular with local and international tourists. Many wealthier Nicaraguan families have their second residence here. The northern pacific beaches, with their width of 3 km and high waves are ideal for surfers.
Highlight: highlight for tourists is a visit to the Masaya-National park, where the two active volcanoes Nindiri and Masaya and 5 further craters are to be found.
The native inhabitants gave the volcano Masaya the name Popgatepe, meaning "burning mountain". They worshipped it and the mountains eruptions were interpreted as being a sign of the angry gods. The Spanish conquistadores called the mountain „La Boca del Infierno“ (hells gullet) and in order to repel the devil they put a cross on the edge of the crater in the 16th century. In the dry season the whole of the national park is covered with numerous sweet smelling flowers, including the national flower, the Sacuanjoche and many kinds of orchid. The park is also an ideal place to watch animals: iguanas, monkeys, stags, and parrots may all be seen during the day.
Religion: Nicaragua is a very religious country, apart from a very few Asian and Arabic immigrants and the own indigenous inhabitants the majority of people are Christian.
Major cities and accommodation: Managua, Leon, Chinandega, Masaya, Esteli, Tipitapa, Matagalpa and Granada.
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Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to Nicaragua / NI
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