9 Days from $995 Nicaragua
Beaches, Volcanoes, Indian Markets,
Rainforest, Islands, Colonial Cities

Explore Nicaragua Tours Frequently Asked Questions

 

Do you have a question about travel to Nicaragua that is not answered here?

 

If you have a question, please telephone Explore Nicaragua at 1-800-800-1132, or contact us by fax or email. We will be happy to answer your questions. Thank you.

 

1. Do I need a passport to visit Nicaragua?

Yes. Nicaragua requires U.S. citizens to bring a passport which must be valid for an additional 6 months after the date of entry into Nicaragua. Please check the expiration date of your passport.

Citizens of other countries should check Nicaragua entry requirements, and also check reentry requirements for the U.S. (if returning to the U.S.) 

Your passport should be in good condition. Recently, travelers with old passports in beat-up condition have not been allowed to enter the country,  and are not even allowed by the U.S. airlines to board a plane to another country. (This is true of other foreign countries also, especially Costa Rica, which has the strictest admission policy for passengers carrying beat-up passports.)

The Nicaragua embassy is in Washington D.C. telephone (202) 939-6570. Nicaraguan consulates in the United States are located in Miami (305) 265-1415, New York (212) 983-1981, Houston (713) 272-9628, Los Angeles (213) 252-1170, and San Francisco (415) 765-6821.

2. Do I need a visa to enter Nicaragua?

U.S. citizens do not need visas. When U.S. citizens enter Nicaragua, U.S. citizens will automatically receive a visa of 30 to 90 days. Citizens of other countries should call the Nicaragua embassy or consulate (see telephone numbers above) about Nicaragua visa requirements for citizens of their country. 

3. What is Nicaragua's time zone?

Nicaragua observes Central Time. This is the same time as Chicago in the winter. During daylight savings time winter months, Nicaragua sometimes observes its own form of daylight savings time, which, when observed, is named for the current president of Nicaragua.  In 2006, the Daylight Savings Time was known as Hora Bolanos.  In 2007, and in 2008, daylight savings time is currentlyl not observed in Nicaragua.

4. What innoculations are required to enter Nicaragua?

No innoculations are required for U.S. citizens.

5. What type of electrical outlets are used in Nicaragua?

Electrical outlets are 110 Volt, 60 Mz, same as the United States.

6. Is the water drinkable?

The tap water in Nicaragua is considered drinkable in your hotels visited by Explore Nicaragua Tours.  If you prefer to drink bottled water, it is available for purchase in all your hotels and restaurants.

7. What is the food like?

Nicaraguans are fond of corn foods. One of the nicknames for Nicaraguans is "pinoleros", or corn people. Corn breads and corn drinks mixed with chocolate are very popular

Steaks and seafood are also very popular, especially in the areas near the beach. The meals on your Nicaraguan tour will offer a selection of American style food with steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta, and local Nicaragua food specialties such as corn dishes, rice and beans, chocolate corn drinks, and banana cheese treats.

8. How many meals are included in the tour?

Most  of your meals are included in your tour. We have found that most travelers like to have meals included, but also enjoy exploring some local restaurants on their own free time. When a meal is not included, your tour director will advise you about the popular restaurants and nightclubs in Leon, Granada, and San Juan del Sur.

9. Do I have to join all the sightseeing and activities?

No, of course not!  The sightseeing, park visits, museum visits, and activities are included for your enjoyment.  But, if you prefer to do something else, or just rest and take a siesta, that is fine.  You are free to join all the sightseeing activities,  or just half the activities, or none of the activities.  We strive to accomodate you, so that you will be as comfortable as possible on the tour.  You can do as much, or as little, as you please, while on tour.

10. What language is spoken in Nicaragua?

Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua.  Spanish and English are spoken on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua, in the Corn Islands and Bluefields.

11. Do I need an international driver's license to drive in Nicaragua?

No, you don't need an international driver's license. You can use your regular driver's license from your home country for the first 30 days of your stay in Nicaragua. 

12. What kind of clothing should I bring to wear in Nicaragua?

Please prepare for hot weather, but bring a sweater to wear in the air conditioned bus. Also pleae bring a rain poncho and quick-dri clothing in case of rain. You will want a good sturdy pair of walking shoes for your visits to the parks, and sandals for San Juan del Sur beach resort.

13. What else should I pack in my suitcase for my vacation to Nicaragua?

We recommend that you pack a small flashlight, your medicine kit, and an extra pair of eyeglasses. When traveling away from home, it is always recommended to please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.

14. Is there a size recommendation for my suitcase?

Yes. Due to space limitations on the motorcoach, each passenger is limited to one suitcase with a maximum length of 26 inches, and maximum depth of 12 inches. This is equivalent to a medium size suitcase. Also, you may bring a small carry-on bag (18 inch limit) with you on the motorcoach.

15. What is the exchange rate for Nicaraguan currency ?

The current exchange rate, as of Janaury 1, 2008, is 18.7 Cordobas to one U.S. Dollar.

16. Are there ATM machines in Nicaragua?

Yes. ATM machines are available in the cities of Managua, Leon, San Juan del Sur, and Granada.

17. Do most stores accept U.S. dollars, credit cards and travelers checks ?

Most stores and all your hotels accept U.S. dollars, but travelers cheques and other currencies are hard to exchange in Nicaragua.  It is easy, however, to extract money from the numerous ATM machines found in banks in every town. We recommend exchanging $40 U.S. per person into Nicaraguan Cordobas whenyou arrive in Nicaragua for personal expenses.

18. What tips are included in tour?

Tips to your hotel bellmen are included.
Tips to museum guides are included.
Tips to restaurant staff for meals on tour are included.
Tips are not included for tour director, driver, and local guides in Ometepe or national parks. The recommended tips are $7 to $10 per day per person for tour director, and $5 to $7 per day per person for driver. Tips to local guides depend on time and service provided.

19. How do we get from the Managua airport to the hotel?

Explore Nicaragua Tours' representative will meet you at the Managua international airport, and provide you with a free transfer to your hotel on the day the tour begins.

You must advise us of your flight information and the time of your anticipated arrival. If you do not catch your flight for any reason, and take another flight, please call us at 800-800-1132 immediately so that we can notify our airport representative, who will be waiting for you. If you arrive earlier than the tour start date, you may take an official airport taxi to your hotel for $5 per taxi, or take the hotel shuttle.

On the day the tour ends, we also provide you with a free transfer to the airport, at any time of day you wish.

20. How much is the airport exit tax in Managua?

The airport exit tax is $32 per person, payable in cash at the airline counter on departure. Sometimes this is included in the price of your airline ticket, sometimes not. When you purchase your airline ticket, please ask your airline if this tax is included.

21. Are children allowed on tour?

Yes. Children 5 years and older are welcome on the tour.

22. Do hotel rooms have refrigerators?

Yes. You have refrigerators in your hotel rooms in Managua, Granada, and Leon.

23. What are the hotel rooms like?

Explore Nicaragua Tours' hotel rooms all have in-room air conditioning, private hot bath, televisions and telephones. Your hotels in Managua is a modern four star hotel. Your hotel in San Juan del Sur is a small beachside family run hotel. Your hotels in Granada and Leon are elegant colonial mansions with modern amenities in the center of town.

24. Do hotels have laundry services?

Yes. All of your hotels offer same-day laundry services. No coin laundries are available.

25.  What is your cancellation policy?

 A full refund will be issued to you if you cancel your tour 46 or more days prior to start of tour.

If you cancel tour between 32 and 45 days before start of tour, Explore Nicaragua Tours will make a full refund less a deductible of $95 per person. If cancellation is made between 7 to 31 days prior to departure are given a full credit towards a future tour within 12 months, minus a $195 deductible. If cancellation is made less than 7 days prior to departure are given a full credit towards a future tour within 12 months, minus a $295 deductible.

 

26. How can I make an international call from Nicaragua?

It's easy. You can purchase a pre-paid phone international phone card for $3 to $20 for making international phone calls from public pay phones for about 50 cents a minute.  You can also make calls from internet phone stations, which are available in every town, for as little as 15 cents a minute to the USA.  During your tour, you will have access to a private Nicaragua cellphone for emergency calls.

27. Can I receive a phone call from home while I'm in Nicaragua?

Yes, you can receive phone calls in your hotel.  The hotel will contact you in your room when you receive a phone call.  In addition, your tour director has a cellular phone for the use of Explore Nicaragua Tour members to receive important calls.  One week before your tour starts, you will receive an information sheet with all hotel phone numbers and the tour director's special cellular phone number for tour members.

28. Where do most of the people in Nicaragua live?

About 90% of the people in Nicaragua live on the western side of Nicaragua, near the Pacific coast.  Your Explore Nicaragua tour travels throughout this same area.

29. If I want to visit specific areas of Nicaragua during my free time on the tour, will you help me arrange transportation and a guide?

Yes.  When you arrive in Nicaragua, your English speaking tour director can help you with your private travel interests.  If you wish to visit specific areas of Nicaragua during your free time on tour, or visit relatives in Nicaragua, your tour director can arrange a private car and driver for you in your free time. 

Please email us at info@explorenicaragua.com, or please call us at 1-800-800-1132 if you have any questions about Nicaragua travel, or if you would like to reserve space with Explore Nicaragua Tours.

Private tours may be arranged on request.