The Facts

• Official Name: Republic of Nicaragua
• Capital: Managua, population approx 1.1 million
• Government: Republic
• Population: Approx. 5.3 million
• Total Area: 129,494 sq km
• Official Language: Spanish (note English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast)
• Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant
• Voltage: 110v
• Time Difference: For time differences please visit www.timeanddate.com
• Airport departure tax: US$ 25

ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change.

Brief History
Memories of revolution and war are present even though the country is now a peaceful and safe place to visit. Nicaragua’s history and culture has indigenous, Spanish and Afro Caribbean influences. Nicaraguan land was inhabited during Pre-Colombian times by many indigenous people such as the Nicaraos, Chorotegas, Chontales and Miskitos. Christopher Columbus was the first European to step on Nicaraguan land during his fourth and last journey to America. Afterwards many Spanish conquerors settled here. Hernández de Córdoba from whom the currency is named, discovered the Nicaragua Lake and founded the cities of Granada and León. During the next 300 years Nicaragua belonged to the Spanish kingdom under the governance of the colonial capital Granada. It gained independence from Spain in 1821 and belonged to the “Central America United Provinces Federation" a couple of years before full independence was achieved in 1938.

Visas
Most nationals do not need a visa to enter Nicaragua, but it is important to check the rules for your nationality with your nearest embassy or consulate. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than 6 months and proof of funds to support yourself (although proof not usually requested). As a tourist you are entitled to 90 days, however depending on the immigration official you may be allocated less days (30 days is most common). You will probably be asked to fill out an immigration card. A copy of this card should stay in your passport until you exit the country.

Money
The local currency is the Cordoba. Sometimes locals call the currency ‘pesos’ instead of cordobas. For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com.

US dollars (cash) are accepted for some purchases in Nicaragua and many prices are quoted in US$, however you will need cordobas for everyday purchases.
Therefore we advise you to obtain a considerable amount of local currency as soon as you enter the country. You can change dollars into cordobas at the border, and your tour leader will point out ATM machines and banks where you can change travellers cheques in Managua (this is the first destination we visit in Nicaragua).

Remember that once out of Nicaragua you will generally not be able to use or exchange cordobas (except at the border towns). Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving the country.

US dollars and travellers cheques can be changed at; change houses, banks and border crossings. Your tour leader will give you details of when and where best to change money. In Managua you may find change houses that exchange currencies other than US$ (but it’s definitely safer to have US$). Hotels/restaurants will sometimes change US$ cash, (and in some cases cheques) but at a poorer rate.

Passports are required to change traveller's checks and dollars in banks, although there are often moneychangers- called coyotes-- on the streets of Managua. It is usually safe to change money in this manner, but it's recommended to know the current exchange rate prior to asking the "coyotes".

Debit and Credit Cards
Often the easiest way to obtain local currency is to use the ATM machines (‘cajeros automaticos’). Visa, Plus and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted in most Honduran ATMs, as long as you have a 4 digit pin number. Some ATM machines in Nicaragua will give you US$ OR local currency - you request either one.

• You should also be able to get a cash advance at the bank, although this is usually only possible with Visa (and you will need your passport).
• Credit cards are accepted in some shops/restaurants/hotels. The most accepted credit card is Visa, although authorisation can sometimes be denied due to poor computer connections or other problems! Note there may sometimes be commission charged when paying by credit card (up to 8%).
• Although bank cards are often the easiest way to go, there are times where they will not work for you even if your bank at home tells you it will! Do not rely on your card as your only source of money. Always have a few back-ups with you.
• Travellers cheques can be very time-consuming to cash in Nicaragua. If you choose to take them, make sure they are in US$ and ‘American Express’ cheques (they are by far the most widely accepted).

Working Out Your Budget
Our pre-departure information and tour dossiers include a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our trips in Nicaragua.

Border Taxes
All Tucan Travel tours enter and depart Nicaragua by land. The current border taxes are US$12 for departing Honduras and entering Nicaragua ($5 of that is for entering Nicaragua) and US$3 for departing Nicaragua.

Entrance Fees
Generally speaking most entrance fees and inexpensive activities will be covered by the recommended spending money. For example; the Palacio National museum in Managua (US$1) and convent/museum of San Francisco in Granada (US$1.50). There are many nice churches you can enter for free in Granada and you sometimes climb up the bell tower for a lovely view.

Optional Excursions
For a detailed list of optional excursions and activities visit tucantravel.com and download our optional excursions guide.
  
Local Transport
In most Nicaraguan towns and cities, walking is the best and cheapest way to see the  sights, but there will be times when you will want to get a taxi (particularly at night when it’s considered unsafe to walk the streets).

Taxis in Nicaragua do not have meters, so it’s a good idea to have a rough idea of the approximate price before getting in the taxi. Having said that taxis are usually very cheap!Approx fares (all prices are per taxi) from our hotels to:
Bus Terminals  US$0.50-$4
Around the centre of town US$0.30-$1.50 (more at night)

Sometimes you might also wish to take local buses (such as in Managua, or from Granada to Masaya markets). Providing you exercise the usual common sense/precautions, this can be a wonderful experience – and extremely inexpensive! Average cost of bus tickets around town are US$0.20. A two hour journey will cost approx. US$1.00.

Geography & Weather
Nicaragua is mountainous in the west, with fertile valleys and a plateau slopes eastward towards the Caribbean. The Lake of Nicaragua, about 161 km (100 miles) long and Lake of Managua, about 61 km (38 miles) long - are connected by the Tipitapa River and dominate the southwest part of the country. The Pacific coast is volcanic and very fertile. The Caribbean coast, swampy and indented, is aptly called the "Mosquito Coast." Nicaragua can be extremely hot and humid, particularly in the months of March-May (before most the rains come). The Pacific zone (where our tours visit), is tropical, with relatively little precipitation. It is characterized by its high temperatures between 27ºC and 32ºC in the rainy season (May-Oct) and between 30ºC and 35ºC in the dry season (Nov-Apr).

Check the weather chart on our website or visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your trip.

Security
Crime in Latin America is not as bad as its reputation as long as you are sensible and alert. Like anywhere in the world, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Care should be taken, especially whilst walking around the larger cities. Try to keep away from dark quiet areas if on your own, particularly late at night and try to always take a taxi.
We suggest that whenever possible you leave all of your important documents in the safe (“caja fuertes”). However you should always carry some form of ID or a photocopy of your passport.

Local Food & Drink
As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich or pastry) can cost as little as US$0.40, and a cheap local meal will cost between US$1.50-3. Even a meal in one of the best restaurants in Granada costs very little in comparison to what you would expect to pay at home (usually around US$10-15). Obviously this depends on what you order and if you have wine or other drinks which will certainly increase the bill. In cheaper local restaurants you can get meals for as little as US$1. Virtually none of the hotels in Nicaragua include breakfast, but some of them have restaurants where you can expect to pay US$2-5.

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below;

1 litre of water   US$0.70
30cl bottle of soft drink  US$0.60
30cl bottle of beer   US$1.30
50cl bottle of beer   US$1.80

Food
The Nicaraguan food as in all Mesoamerican countries is based on corn and is not too hot and spicy. Corn is the main ingredient used in cakes, spirits, confectionery, drinks, desserts, etc. Cassava, beans and chili pepper are also widely used as ingredient in different Nicaraguan dishes.  The most popular food in Nicaragua is "gallo pinto", which consists of rice and beans and is sometimes combined with chicken, pork or beef and also plantains (sweet cooked bananas), potatoes and salad. Seafood is popular along the coasts.

Pastries are common snacks, as are: "nacatamales" - made of maize pasta, filled with meat and vegetables and wrapped in banana leaves, "quesillos" - a tortilla served with cheese and sour cream and "vigorón" -  a boiled cassava topped with cabbage salad, chicharron (fried pork skin), cabbage and yucca.
"Tortilla" is a thin corn bread involved in almost every Nicaraguan dish.

Vegetarians
If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. You might find that you are eating a lot of omelettes, rice n beans, and salad dishes. Our tour leaders will do their best to provide interesting vegetarian alternatives for included meals but your patience and understanding is requested.

Drinks
It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water, especially in small towns. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available. If you want a still bottled water, ask for agua natural, sin gas (no gas).

Nicaraguan fruit is really fresh, and really cheap. Go to one of the many juice stands and ask for a “batido de fruta” (fruit smoothie) or “jugo de naranja y zanahoria” (orange & carrot). Papaya, melon, watermelon, mango, and pineapple are very popular. Batidos can be made with either water or milk. Always specify if you don’t want sugar (“sin azucar”). Latin Americans have a very sweet tooth and will usually automatically add the sugar!

Generally speaking it’s best not to expect good coffee/tea in this part of the world. If you ask for tea (“té negro”) you will get teabags. Always ask for “leche fria seperado” (cold milk on the side) as the alternative is likely to be a hot cup of milk with a tea bag inside!

If you only learn one word in Spanish it’s bound to be “Cerveza” – beer! There are countless lagers, and a few dark beers. The most popular local Nicaraguan beers are Toña or Victoria. White rum (ron) is definitely the most commonly drunk spirit in Honduras. The country is not known for its wine and it is best to order Chilean wine.

Tipping
In most restaurants a 10% service charge is included on the bill. If not, you are expected to leave a tip of roughly 10%.You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc but you should tip people who assist you with your luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip – 50 cents or so is fine). Tipping guides at the end of excursions is always appreciated and your tour leader will advise you on the amount for this.

Shopping
You will find hammocks, hand-carved wood, leather and textiles to buy in Nicaragua. The Masaya Arts and Crafts Market (optional excursion from Granada) is one of the most popular places to shop for souvenirs and gifts. Bargaining is expected while shopping in the markets, but in shops it is usually considered rude to bargain. However, you may always ask for a ‘discount’ (‘descuento’ in Spanish).

National Holidays
Jan 1 - Año Nuevo (New Year's Day)
Holy Week - Semana Santa- the holy week that ends the 40-day Lent period. Includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Antigua’s celebrations are world renowned!
May 1 - Labour Day
July 19 - Liberation Day
Sept 14 - Battle of San Jacinto
Sept 15 - Independence Day
Nov 2 - All Souls Day
Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception
Dec 25 - Navidad (Christmas Day)