Entry and visa requirements

Most foreigners receive a 90 day tourist visa (US $5) upon entering Nicaragua (a few countries are restricted).  Tourist visas can be renewed for an additional three months by leaving and re-entering the country at any official border crossing or by applying at the Office of Immigration and paying a fee.  Your passport must be valid for at least six months following date of entry and you may be required to show a return ticket.

There are special programs available for those wishing to retire in Nicaragua.  Review the Nicaragua retirement section below.

Residency

Those wishing for a more permanent stay in Nicaragua can apply for resident status at the Office of Immigration in Managua.  The application process can be cumbersome and requires an original birth certificate authenticated by the Nicaraguan consulate in your homes country, locally authenticated evidence of good health, proof of funds, a certified police report from your home country and an approval note obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Relations.  (Some of the requirements overlap with those required under the Nicaragua retirement program covered below.)

For citizens of most countries, a deposit of US$2,500 is required to cover an airline ticket out of the country and processing fees also apply.  The process can take 6 months or more.

Retirement program

The key benefits of Nicaragua's retirement program come in the form of tax incentives.  The program was ammended in 2009, to make it more attractive to reitrees and Nicaragua real estate investors.  Applicants must be over 45 years of age.

• Benefits of the Nicaragua retirement program include: Exemption of taxes on out-of-country earnings, tax-free entry of up to US$20,000 worth of household goods (the previous level was $US10,000), and duty fee import of one car (the car can be sold after 5 years exempt from consumer sales tax and an additional vehicle can be imported under the same tax exemptions).  An exemption from sales taxes applies on home construction materials up to the first $50,000.  Elligible persons are not required to pay taxes on out-of-country earnings.


• Income requirement: US$400 per month (with an additional $100 for each dependent family member).


• Other requirements: Applicants need to provide a certificate of good health, birth certificate and a positive police report.

Climate

In Nicaragua, the temperature does not vary greatly with the seasons and is largely a function of elevation. From sea level to 750m. (2,460ft.) daytime temperatures average around 84˚F (29˚C) for most of the year. The highest peaks of the central highlands, above 1,600m. (5,250ft.), have daytime averages of 72°F (22˚C), with night time lows sometimes below 59˚F (15°C).

Nicaragua has a distinct wet and dry season. The wettest months are May through to October when the lanscape becomes very lush and the driest (and windiest) are December to April.   Different parts of the country experience widely different rainfall levels with the Caribbean lowlands being the wettest part of the country.  During the wet season, eastern Nicaragua can be subject to heavy flooding and tropical storms particularly from July through October. The western side of the country is drier and less subject to flooding and heavy weather.

Health

The Vivian Pellas Metroplitan Hospital in Managua offers high levels of medical care at prices far lower than in the US.  But outside the capital medical care is very limited, particulary for serious mediacl problems.  Doctors   often do not speak English.   Even small towns have a good supply of pharmacies where it is possible to buy a wide range of medications.

Safety

Nicaragua is generally considered a safe country.  There is little gang violence and most security incidents involve petty theft.  But recent years have seen an increase in violent crime, mostly in poorer neighborhoods of Managua, the capital city.  Saftey indicators measuring crime rates set on our indicators page show Nicaragua at similar levels as Panama.

Driving conditions, especailly at night can be dangerous.  Roads can be in poor condition and are often pooly lit at night making it hard to see oxcarts, horses, bicycles and other vehicles.