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Nicaragua TOURISM
Nicaragua Tourism
Police coverage is extremely sparse outside of major urban areas, particularly in Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast autonomous regions. Sporadic incidents of highway banditry have been reported in remote rural areas of north and northwest Nicaragua. If you do decide to travel to these areas, travel only on major highways and only during daylight hours.
Political demonstrations and strikes occur sporadically, are usually limited to urban areas, and occasionally become violent. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid crowds and blockades during such occurrences.
Nautical travelers should be aware that there is an ongoing boundary dispute with Colombia over the San Andres Island archipelago and the surrounding waters. Passengers and crews of foreign fishing boats have been detained and/or fined and vessels have been impounded. Travelers should also be aware that narcotics traffickers often use both the Caribbean and Pacific coastal waters. A boundary dispute over Caribbean coastal waters between the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras was resolved in late-2007. Also in late-2007, the governments of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador reached an accord regarding shared fishing rights in the Gulf of Fonseca; however, questions remain regarding boundary demarcations in the Gulf of Fonseca.
U.S. citizens are cautioned that strong currents and undertows off sections of Nicaragua's Pacific coast have resulted in a number of incidents of drowning. Powerful waves have also resulted in broken bones, and injuries caused by sting rays are not uncommon in popular resort bathing areas. Warning signs are not posted, and lifeguards and rescue equipment are not readily available. U.S. citizens contemplating beach activities in Nicaragua's Pacific waters should exercise appropriate caution.
Hiking in volcanic or other remote areas can be dangerous and travelers should take appropriate precautions. Hikers should have appropriate dress, footwear, and sufficient consumables for any trek undertaken. Individuals who travel to remote tourist or other areas for hiking activities are encouraged to hire a local guide familiar with the terrain and area. In particular, there have been instances of hikers perishing or losing their way on the volcanoes at Ometepe Island. While they may look like easy climbs, the terrain is treacherous and heavily overgrown.
Hundreds of passengers travel daily on domestic flights within Nicaragua without incident. However, these flights use small airstrips outside of Managua, with minimal safety equipment and little boarding security. Some safety and security improvements have been made at the Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas and Corn Island airports.
Although extensive de-mining operations have been conducted to clear rural areas of northern Nicaragua of landmines left from the civil war in the 1980s, visitors venturing off the main roads in these areas are cautioned that the possibility of encountering landmines still exists.
Political demonstrations and strikes occur sporadically, are usually limited to urban areas, and occasionally become violent. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid crowds and blockades during such occurrences.
Nautical travelers should be aware that there is an ongoing boundary dispute with Colombia over the San Andres Island archipelago and the surrounding waters. Passengers and crews of foreign fishing boats have been detained and/or fined and vessels have been impounded. Travelers should also be aware that narcotics traffickers often use both the Caribbean and Pacific coastal waters. A boundary dispute over Caribbean coastal waters between the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras was resolved in late-2007. Also in late-2007, the governments of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador reached an accord regarding shared fishing rights in the Gulf of Fonseca; however, questions remain regarding boundary demarcations in the Gulf of Fonseca.
U.S. citizens are cautioned that strong currents and undertows off sections of Nicaragua's Pacific coast have resulted in a number of incidents of drowning. Powerful waves have also resulted in broken bones, and injuries caused by sting rays are not uncommon in popular resort bathing areas. Warning signs are not posted, and lifeguards and rescue equipment are not readily available. U.S. citizens contemplating beach activities in Nicaragua's Pacific waters should exercise appropriate caution.
Hiking in volcanic or other remote areas can be dangerous and travelers should take appropriate precautions. Hikers should have appropriate dress, footwear, and sufficient consumables for any trek undertaken. Individuals who travel to remote tourist or other areas for hiking activities are encouraged to hire a local guide familiar with the terrain and area. In particular, there have been instances of hikers perishing or losing their way on the volcanoes at Ometepe Island. While they may look like easy climbs, the terrain is treacherous and heavily overgrown.
Hundreds of passengers travel daily on domestic flights within Nicaragua without incident. However, these flights use small airstrips outside of Managua, with minimal safety equipment and little boarding security. Some safety and security improvements have been made at the Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas and Corn Island airports.
Although extensive de-mining operations have been conducted to clear rural areas of northern Nicaragua of landmines left from the civil war in the 1980s, visitors venturing off the main roads in these areas are cautioned that the possibility of encountering landmines still exists.
