Washed by two oceans, Nicaragua is a magnificent Caribbean nature, colorful colonial cities, a bunch of active volcanoes and the best cigars and coffee in the world. Beaches for sunbathing and surfing, fishing and ecotourism in the rainforest are the main features of Nicaragua.

According to payhelpcenter, Nicaragua can be proud that this country has at its disposal the coasts of two oceans. On the one hand, the evil Atlantic regularly brings down its power on the country, on the other hand, volcanoes adorn the coastline of the Pacific; and forested mountains rise in the center of the country.

True, the local population is hardly proud of the natural beauties and landscapes: Nicaragua remains the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere after Haiti. On the other hand, this is a real benefit for travelers: tourism in Nicaragua is extremely budgetary, and the tourist infrastructure is quite decent.

The capital is Managua. Other major cities are Granada, Leon, Matagalpa, Chinandega, Esteli.

The flow of tourists to Nicaragua is growing every year, and no wonder: this is a real paradise for those who are interested in budget ecotourism, beach and water sports holidays. See cellphoneexplorer for North America travel guide.

How to get there

There are no direct flights to Nicaragua from Russia. The most common option is a flight to Managua with two transfers via the USA or Canada or El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica or Mexico.

Visa

Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to visit Nicaragua for up to 90 days. An immigration card is issued right at the border, for which you need to present a passport, a completed questionnaire, round-trip tickets and a guarantee of financial security for the duration of your stay in the country.

They won’t ask for medical insurance when crossing the border, but without it, you shouldn’t fly to the wilds of Central America.

Customs

Import and export of national and foreign currencies is not limited. Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500 g of tobacco, up to 3 liters of strong alcoholic beverages per person (at least 18 years old) is allowed. The import of all kinds of meat products (including canned food), dairy products and leather products is limited. Cameras, audio and video equipment, computer equipment and optics can only be imported one at a time.

The export of gold and gold products, including coins, from Nicaragua requires a special permit.

Tourist safety

The crime rate in Nicaragua is relatively low, although there are areas in the cities with a very bad reputation. This is especially true of Managua and Rivas, where gangs have been operating in recent years, as a result of which tourists are advised not to walk alone in the evenings. Another poignant moment is the child pornography mass hysteria that has spread across the country in recent years, prompting a series of arrests and deportations of foreigners from Nicaragua on suspicion of involvement.

Travelers are also advised to avoid using foreign currency in an attempt to pay anywhere, as well as to refrain from the help of numerous street “helpers” offering to change money.

Visa to Nicaragua

The capital of coffee, cigars and volcanoes, Nicaragua, like the vast majority of Caribbean states, is indicatively loyal to Russian tourists: our brother is invited to rest not only by low prices, but also by a visa-free regime for up to 90 days. Border formalities are also reduced to a minimum: a passport valid for another 6 months, a return ticket and proof of financial solvency are very democratic, only 200 USD per person for the entire duration of the trip. A formal fee of 5 USD for a migration card filled out at the border – and “benvenidos!” on the territory of an incredibly beautiful country between two oceans.

Border crossing

Russian tourists do not need a visa to enter Nicaragua if the stay does not exceed 90 days, and the purpose of the trip is tourism, transit, or visiting relatives and friends. At passport control, you must present:

• foreign passport valid for at least 6 months on the date of entry into the country;
• a migration card, the form of which can be taken at the counters before passing through passport control. The card can be completed in Spanish or English. For the form, you must pay a formal fee of 5 USD for each tourist with a separate passport;
• a return ticket, or a ticket to a third country in case of transit;
• confirmation of sufficient financial means for staying in the country – at least 200 USD per person for the entire duration of the trip.

Do not forget to take out medical insurance for the entire duration of the trip. Although the policy is not asked when entering the country, it is at least unreasonable to travel without it.

If you would like to stay in Nicaragua for more than 90 days, you can extend your stay on the spot by contacting the Migration Service office. It is necessary to fill out a questionnaire on the spot and provide a photocopy of the passport – a page with personal data. The fee for each day of renewal is 2 USD.