Fire and rescue services
Call 115.
Medical emergencies
Call 128 or go to the hospital.
Police
Call 118.
Call 101 for the tourist police, or go to the nearest police station.
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua due to the threat of violent crime.
Call 115.
Call 128 or go to the hospital.
Call 118.
Call 101 for the tourist police, or go to the nearest police station.
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua due to the threat of violent crime.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua due to the threat of violent crime.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Nicaragua has a high risk of crime. This includes:
Highest rates of violent crime occur in:
Gang violence can happen at major hotels, bus terminals, beaches and markets.
Illegal drug smuggling occurs in the Caribbean coastal area.
Policing is limited outside major urban areas. You may not find police in:
Drug traffickers and other criminals use these areas.
Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas while travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.
Incidents of kidnapping occur in Nicaragua. Small criminal gangs motivated by financial gain are responsible for the vast majority of kidnaps. Express kidnappings are a problem.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Assaults and robberies occur in unlicensed taxis or when a stranger offers to call a taxi for you. To reduce your risks:
Take note of the taxi's registration and phone numbers.
While it is a common local practice to share taxis with strangers, we recommend you don't. If you must, agree on a fare for a solo journey before you set off.
There is a risk of ‘express kidnapping’ if you use an unauthorised taxi. You could be taken hostage and forced to pay cash for your release.
Armed gangs carry out kidnappings, robberies and extortion in the northern border region.
For safer travel to the Honduran border, only use highways that cross the border at:
Criminals have attacked vehicles, including hotel-run buses, along:
To protect yourself from violent crime:
Avoid public transport. If you must use it, be cautious of anyone offering help. They may rob you.
Pickpockets and bag snatchers are a risk:
Take care of your valuables:
Use reputable tour operators. Thieves posing as tour guides may rob you, particularly on the island of Ometepe.
Only use ATMs at banks and in busy areas, like shopping centres.
Be alert when using your credit card. Credit card fraud is on the increase.
If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist. Many criminals carry weapons.
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Protests against the Nicaraguan Government may occur.
Take care not to appear to support anti-government activity. Authorities may arrest or imprison you.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
During periods of unrest:
Boundary disputes occur in the Caribbean coastal waters between Nicaragua and Honduras. Authorities have detained and impounded boats and fishing vessels.
More information:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.
More information:
The town of San Juan del Sur has a lively party scene. If you plan to join in, see Partying safely.
Strong currents and undertows occur on the Pacific coast beaches. Check the safety conditions. There may not be lifeguards or warning signs.
Nicaragua experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
If there's a natural disaster:
More information:
Severe weather may occur at any time. This can cause landslides and flash flooding.
Hurricane season is from June to November. During this time, you may encounter landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruption to essential services.
The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.
In the event of a hurricane:
If you travel during hurricane season:
If a hurricane is approaching:
Severe weather may also affect:
To get weather alerts, register with either the:
Earthquakes and large, destructive tsunamis can happen in Nicaragua. It is in an active earthquake zone.
The country has 3 active volcanoes:
Don't hike near volcanoes or visit remote areas without an experienced guide.
If a natural disaster happens, follow the advice of local authorities.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Nicaragua. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Malaria is a risk in rural areas of Nicaragua, including the outskirts of Managua.
Dengue and chikungunya are widespread.
The risk of other insect-borne diseases increases in the rainy season, from April to November. This includes:
Widespread transmission of zika virus occurs in Nicaragua.
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:
To protect yourself from diseases spread by insects:
Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common.
These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
More information
Facilities are good in Managua but are very limited in smaller towns and rural areas.
Expect to pay cash upfront before doctors, and private hospitals treat you, even in an emergency.
There are no emergency ambulance services in Nicaragua. Access to certain types of medical equipment, medication and treatments is limited.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need evacuation to another country. This can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences in local jails.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal but aren't always accepted. Avoid public displays of affection.
More information:
It's illegal to take photos of official buildings. Check with local authorities before taking photos.
There are strict restrictions on the use of drones. Do not use drones for photography or any other reason unless you have written permission from Nicaraguan authorities.
If you drive a car and injure or kill someone in an accident, authorities may arrest or detain you. The local courts will need to determine who was responsible. This can take weeks or months.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Dual nationality is recognised in Nicaragua. Should you be arrested, you may be treated only as a Nicaraguan citizen and denied access to consular services.
Children with single or dual Nicaraguan nationality may need specific documents to leave the country without both parents.
Contact the Nicaraguan authorities before you travel.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
You'll need to purchase a tourist card at the airport. This permits you to visit Nicaragua for up to 90 days.
Nicaragua is a member country of the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), along with:
With a CA-4 tourist visa, you can travel freely by land between member countries within a 90-day period.
Your tourist card is dated from the first point of entry in any member country.
You can apply to extend the CA-4 visa at Nicaraguan Immigration (Spanish) before it expires.
If you overstay the visa without an extension, you may be:
If you're not a tourist or you plan to stay longer, you'll need a visa.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the Nicaraguan Embassy in Japan for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
If you're travelling through the US, ensure you meet all current US entry and transit requirements. If you're arriving in or transiting through the US, you'll need to show onward flight tickets from not only the US but also any country that borders the US (i.e. Mexico and Canada) if that's your next destination.
More information:
If you're travelling via Canada, you'll need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for Canada. Transit requirements for Canada are strictly enforced.
More information:
If you’re travelling via Chile, ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.
More information:
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Nicaragua. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
More information:
There's an arrival tax, which you need to pay in cash.
Your airline ticket usually includes the airport departure tax from the Augusto Sandino Airport in Managua. Confirm this with your travel agent.
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who want to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The local currency is the Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO).
You won't be able to use Australian dollars or traveller's cheques in Nicaragua.
The only foreign currency you can exchange is US dollars.
ATMs have low daily withdrawal limits.
If you're an adventure traveller, use an experienced local guide. This includes trekking to volcanoes or other remote areas.
Make sure you take enough supplies.
To drive in Nicaragua, you'll need either:
You must get the IDP before arriving in Nicaragua.
You also need to carry your current passport and tourist card.
Driving in Nicaragua can be dangerous. Hazards include:
You're more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Nicaragua than in Australia.
If you're involved in an accident, don't move your vehicle until a police officer permits it.
If you plan to drive or travel by car:
More information:
It's a common local practice to share taxis with strangers. To avoid this, agree on a fare for a solo journey before you set off.
Assaults and robberies happen in unlicensed taxis or when a stranger offers to call a taxi for you. Don't take a taxi if you don't know the person who called it.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Nicaragua's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 115.
Call 128 or go to the hospital.
Call 118.
Call 101 for the tourist police, or go to the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn’t have an Embassy in Nicaragua.
The Office of the Embassy of Canada to Nicaragua provides consular assistance for Australians in Nicaragua. Australian provisional travel documents can be issued at this office.
More information:
You can also get consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.
De Los Pipitos, 2 blocks West,
El Nogal, Street No. 25, Bolonia
Managua, Nicaragua
Phone: (505) 2268 0433, 2268 3323
Email: mngua@international.gc.ca
Website: Office of the Embassy of Canada to Nicaragua
Ruben Dario #55
Corner of Campos Eliseos, Polanco
Colonia Bosque de Chapultepec
11580 CDMX Mexico
Phone: +52 55 1101 2200
Email: consularpassports.mexico@dfat.gov.au
Website: mexico.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: @AusEmbMex
X: @AusEmbMex
See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.