Cheat Sheet: Nicaragua

Some quick Nicaragua travel tips for your next adventure!

Don’t leave home without The Thrill of Pursuit’s Nicaragua cheat sheet printable! I have created a printable graphic as a quick reference with Nicaragua travel tips.

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<3 Dominique

Known as the “land of lakes and volcanoes”, Nicaragua’s nickname is a great indicator of how blessed it is with natural wonders. Adventure travelers and eco-travelers alike will marvel at its majestic landscapes. History buffs will find there is much to discover especially from those who lived through the revolution via museum tours dedicated to the conflict.

I have consolidated all my Nicaragua travel tips for your adventures in a printable. In this post, I expand on all the items listed on my Cheat Sheet.

Language

Spanish is the dominant language in Nicaragua. Those with a keen ear might notice that vocabulary, accents, and slang can vary between towns and departments.

Nicaraguan Spanish is interesting because it heavily incorporates influences from Indigenous languages, particularly Nahuatl. But don’t worry, you will be able to get by on basic Spanish.

On the Caribbean coast, you will most likely hear the locals speak Indigenous languages as well as English. The tourism sector in Nicaragua commonly uses English.

Currency

The currency of Nicaragua is Córdoba (NIO) although sometimes you will hear someone refer to it as “peso”. In my experience, USD was widely accepted on the backpacker trail (provided the bills were pristine with no rips or marks). The exchange rate should be better if you use the local currency. You can easily access ATMs in major towns, but small towns like Isla de Ometepe have limited options. Restaurants and hotels accept credit cards, although they may charge a small fee for their use.

Time Zones

There is one time zone in Nicaragua and that is CST (UTC – 6).

Electric Outlets

The plugs in Nicaragua are Types A and B. The voltage is 120V at a frequency of 60Hz.

I recommend bringing a Universal Adapter with surge protection on your travels.

Tipping Etiquette

I want to start this section by mentioning that living wages aren’t that high in Nicaragua.

You may notice propina voluntaria on your restaurant bill. This is a 10% tip that would be shared equally among the staff not just your server. Note: do not confuse the propina voluntaria with the IVA which is a mandatory sales tax. You can opt to not pay the propina voluntaria if the service was particularly bad.

I summarized my tipping suggestions in the table below.

For all other service providers such as hairdressers, estheticians, and massage therapists, it is customary to leave a tip. A minimum of 10% of the service price is customary.

As with other Central American countries, there are grocery store baggers at the supermarkets that work solely for tips. Don’t forget to tip them too.

Nicaragua Travel: Points of Interest

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. It also has the lowest population density in the region. It is an extraordinary place with breathtaking landscapes and picturesque colonial cities. This section highlights points of interest on the Nicaraguan backpacker trail.

Cerro Negro

Cerro Negro is the youngest volcano in Central America and one of the most active. It is about 30 minutes away from León. Cerro Negro is one of the most visited sites in Nicaragua for a special reason. It is one of a handful of places on Earth where you can go volcano boarding. Besides offering the thrill of sliding down an active volcano, the hike up Cerro Negro in itself is picturesque.

León

León is my favourite city in Nicaragua. It is rich in Nicaraguan history and culture. Its proximity to volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean makes it the perfect base to immerse yourself in the very best of what Nicaragua has to offer!

Managua

If you’re flying into Nicaragua, you are most likely entering the country via Managua. Most first time visitors skip Managua because it doesn’t have the best reputation. As with anywhere else in the world, there is much to be discovered in the nation’s capital. If your itinerary allows, why not allocate a day or two to explore the Nicaraguan capital?

Granada

Granada is one of those picturesque, colonial cities that Central America is known for. Like its rival city of León, it is rich in culture and history. Its proximity to Lago Cocibolca (aka Lake Nicaragua) the largest lake in Central America makes it the perfect base for exploring this biodiverse region. In recent years, Granada has established itself as the gastronomic center of Nicaragua.

Ometepe Island

Isla de Ometepe (pronounced: oh-MEH-teh-peh) has long been been an unmissable stop on the backpacker route. Picture approaching an idyllic island formed by TWO volcanoes in the middle of the largest lake in Central America. THAT would be your first impression of this UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve. There is not enough combination of words I can use to describe the vibe that is Ometepe. To date, I have written three blog posts trying to achieve exactly that.

San Juan del Sur

Those looking for a beach getaway should allocate a few days in their itinerary to San Juan del Sur. Located on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, this area has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Besides the beach of San Juan del Sur, Playa Maderas and Playa Hermosa are also nearby. These beaches are famous for their excellent surfing conditions, especially Playa Maderas. San Juan del Sur is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife if you are looking to party and meet up with fellow travelers in Nicaragua.

Corn Islands

For a more authentic Caribbean experience, head over to the Corn Islands. The Corn Islands consists of Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island. You can find these hidden gems off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. They are the home of the Garifuna people of Nicaragua. You will find pristine, unspoiled beaches at the Corn Islands. The islands are less developed in comparison to other tourist hot spots making for a more tranquil vibe. In fact, there is a no vehicles policy in effect at Little Corn Island. If you are looking for a relaxed island life vibe, then the trip over to the remote Corn Islands would definitely be worth it.

Nicaragua Travel: Food Checklist

Nicaraguan cuisine is a reflection of the nation’s diverse cultural heritage. Each bite is a blend of Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences, though taste profiles differ from coast to coast. Closer to the Caribbean (on the eastern side), dishes consist mainly of seafood and coconut. On the western side, diet staples are very similar to those in other Mesoamerican countries (i.e. Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras) like corn, tomatoes, avocados, beans, chocolate, chicken, and pork.

This section outlines traditional Nicaraguan dishes to try during your adventures.

Gallo pinto

This is the national dish of Nicaragua. It is a hearty mix of rice and black beans, often seasoned with bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Gallo pinto is served as a side during meals, even at breakfast.

Quesillo

This is a traditional Nicaraguan snack. It is a tortilla wrapped around a filling of cheese, onions, and cream. Quesillos are often served with a side of pickled vegetables.

Nacatamales

These are very similar to tamales from Mexico. Nacatamales consist of masa (corn dough) stuffed with a mixture of pork, rice, potatoes, and spices, all wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. They are commonly enjoyed for breakfast or special occasions.

Tostones

Tostones are slices of green plantains that have been fried, smashed, and fried again until crisp. They are a popular savoury snack but are served as a side with meals.

Nicaragua travel tip: Visit Tostometro, a popular restaurant in Granada. They sub tostones for buns in their Banana Burgers.

Vigorón

Vigorón is cabbage salad, boiled yuca, and chicharrones (pork rinds or fried pork belly), all wrapped in a banana leaf. People typically served Vigorón to visiting guests because it is easy to prepare, and they often served it without utensils. These days, Vigorón is a popular street food.

Indio viejo

This is one of the oldest and established dishes in Nicarguan cuisine. You can trace it back to the Nicarao people of Ometepe, which is why it has the name meaning “old Indian” in Spanish. Indio viejo is a stew made of maize, tomatoes, achiote, onions, garlic, shredded meat and herbs.

Buñuelo

A buñuelo is a type of fried dough pastry that is popular in many Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries. The recipe and variations can differ depending on the region. The Nicaraguan version uses a yucca base, with cheese and honey added. Buñuelos are a popular street food.

Pinolillo

This drink is an icon of Nicaraguan culture. Pinolillo is a sweet cornmeal and cacao based drink. It is said that this popular drink is the origin of the pinolero/pinolera demonym.

Toña

Toña is one of the main beers of Nicaragua. It is a light lager. Alternatively, you can try La Victoria.

Additional Nicaragua Travel Tips

• Nicaragua strictly prohibits drones. Officials will confiscate drones upon entry so it is best to leave it at home. If you are traveling to multiple countries with a drone and have a stop in Nicaragua, I suggest storing the drone and coming back for it or shipping the drone to your next destination.
• Locals use the slang word “chele/a” to describe a white or pale-skinned person. It is not meant to be offensive or derogatory.
• You will notice the locals’ use of the pronoun vos and its verb forms for the familiar second-person singular (“you”), in place of the tú of “standard” Spanish.
• Lunch is the heaviest meal of the day so establishments get super busy. For this reason, dinner may be harder to find in the more remote areas.

Related Reads

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Where to Stay in Ometepe Island (for the best experience!)

Am I missing any quick facts about Nicaragua travel that you think may be helpful? Feel free to mention them in the comment section below!

I will also try my best to answer any questions…