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Visit San Juan del Sur Guide.com, Nicaragua's Sustainable Travel Resource, for more Nicaragua Travel Information
Make your Managua-San Juan del Sur Shuttle Reservation on-line be visiting the Adelante Express link below
Electric Outlets
Electrical outlets throughout Nicaragua
are 110 volts, the same you will
find in the United States and Canada.
Power surges are common,
so be careful when plugging in a
laptop or other expensive electronic
devices directly into a wall socket.
Unit Conversions
Nicaragua is based on the
metric system.
1 meter = 3.28 feet
1 foot = 0.3048 meter
1 kilometer = .621 mile
1 mile = 1.609 kilometers
1 US gallon = 3.785 liters
1 liter = .264 US gallon
1.73 acres = 1 manzana
Hospital Metropolitan
Vivian Pellas
24 hour emergency room
From the USA or Canada:
+1.305.396.2351
From Nicaragua: 255.6900
http://www.metropolitano.com.ni
log on to www.bancocentral.
com.ni
for daily exchange rates
Managua Embassy and Consulate
Phone Numbers
Austria 266.3316
Canada 268.0433
Costa Rica 266.3986
Denmark 268.0250
Finland 266.3415
France 222.6210
Germany 266.3917
Italy 266.6486
Great Britain 254.5454
Norway 266.4199
Sweden 266.0085
The Netherlands 276.8630
U.S.A. 266.6010
Switzerland 266.7328
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Nicaragua Travel Information
Arriving at the Managua International Airport
When entering customs, or “aduana” at the Managua International Airport,
you will be required to pay a US $5.00 entry fee which is payable ONLY
in cash with U.S. Dollars or Nicaraguan Cordobas. Upon payment, you
will receive a tourist card and passport stamp. You will find plenty of taxis
available for hire outside of the airport. If you arrive late at night or leave
early in the morning, we recommend staying in Managua for the night
in order to avoid driving after dark. Contact us for information about accommodations in Managua.
Airport Shuttle to San Juan del Sur from Managua
A great option for safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation between
the Managua International Airport and San Juan del Sur is with Adelante
Express, an airport shuttle service offering both one-way and round-trip
service in an air-conditioned van. Contact us to make a shuttle reservation or visit the link on the right side of the page. Enjoy the Ride!
Rental Cars
We recommend renting a 4x4 as many of the roads leading to beaches
and other activities are not paved. The majority of autos available for rent
have standard transmissions. Alamo Rent a Car has a local office in San
Juan del Sur. Budget, Alamo, Dollar, Avis, and Hertz have offices at the
airport in Managua. Local, reputable rental car companies include Targaand Lugo, which also have offices at the Managua International Airport.
Book your rental car online ahead of time to ensure the vehicle of your
choice.
Passports and Visas
Foreigners visiting Nicaragua must have a valid passport to enter the
country. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the date
of entry. Citizens of most countries are automatically given a tourist visa
good for 90 days. If you stay in Nicaragua for longer than 90 days, you
will have to pay a fine at the airport or international border prior to your
departure. If you wish to extend your visa during your visit, you will have
to visit the Office of Immigration in Managua (Telephone +505.244.0741).
Extensions are valid for one month at a time and cost US$25.00 but are
not always granted. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you may find
it easier to cross the border into Costa Rica or Honduras and then return
the same day. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to contact
your embassy. All foreign Embassies and Consulates are located in Managua.
Money, Tax, and Tipping
Nicaragua’s official currency is the New Cordoba, although US Dollars
are widely accepted in most towns. The New Cordoba is on a scheduled
devaluation against the US Dollar, with its exchange rate changing
daily. There are four ATM machines and three banks in San Juan del
Sur, where you can withdraw either Nicaraguan Cordobas or US Dollars.
There is also a Western Union for sending and receiving wire transfers.
Travelers Checks are not advisable as they are difficult and expensive to
spend in Nicaragua. Most businesses do not accept them and you may
even have trouble cashing them at a bank. Take your passport if you are
going to the bank. They will require it to complete any type of transaction
including simply exchanging money. Sales tax in Nicaragua is 15%.
A 10% tip is usually included in your bill at a sit-down restaurant. Leaving
an extra 5%-10% is customary if you received good service and is much
appreciated.
Weather
Nicaragua has two distinct seasons....Wet and Dry.
WET: lasts from mid May to November, with May and October being the
wettest. Temperatures in the wet season usually range from 27°-32°C
(80°-90°F). During the wet season expect short daily showers and a
lush, green environment. The wet season coincides with the best surfing
months in Nicaragua, as this is when swells from the southern hemisphere
make their way up to Nicaragua.
DRY: lasts from December to April, with April being the hottest and driest.
December and January have historically been the most popular travel
months for tourists coming to Nicaragua because rain is very unlikely, the
landscape is lush, and temperatures are very pleasant. Temperatures
in the dry season usually range between 30°-35°C (88°-95°F). The dry
season can be very dry and windy.
Safety and Health
Nicaragua has one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America.
Regardless, exercise common sense and keep an eye on your personal
belongings, lock your car, travel with other people, and don’t wander
around alone late at night. Registered taxis ALWAYS have license plates
with red borders. Be extremely careful driving at night, especially on
Sunday night when the weekend parties are in full swing. Swimming in
the Pacific Ocean can be dangerous. Lifeguard services in Nicaragua
are extremely limited, so be aware of rip currents, rocks, and waves,
and always swim at your own risk. Wash vegetables and fruits before
eating them and do your best to avoid drinking the tap water. Purified &
bottled drinking water is cheap and easy to find. Most restaurants serve
purified water and virtually all ice comes from a national distributor that
manufactures only with purified water. Nicaragua is often hot and sunny
so remember to use sunscreen and to stay hydrated. It is a good idea
to consult the Mexico and Central America page of the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) website for up to date health recommendations
and vaccination information.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regionCentralAmerica.aspx
Medical Care
San Juan del Sur is equipped with a Health Clinic (Centro de Salud) that
can address minor medical problems. The closest major hospital is in
Rivas, but we highly recommend going to Managua if you are in need of
serious medical attention. The most modern and reputable hospital in
Managua is Hospital Metropolitano
Vivian Pellas, providing excellent
medical care in a state of the art
facility.
There are a number of pharmacies
(farmacias) throughout the country
that sell a wide variety of medications,
first aid products, and toiletries.
Most medicines are available without a prescription.
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