Living in Nicaragua

Located in Central America, Nicaragua has a tropical climate that makes it a hot tourist spot. However, many people, particularly retires on fixed incomes, choose to live in Nicaragua full-time. Nicaraguan real estate is extremely cheap, and there are many good and bad things about living in Nicaragua.

• Nicaragua is an extremely cheap country to live in. As for Nicaraguan property, real estate prices for an average house hover around $30,000. Nicaragua is one of the least costly countries to live in Central American. If one chooses to rent an apartment, then they can expect to pay an average cost of $100-$200 a month. Due to this low cost of living, large groups of Americans and others choose to live in Nicaragua. The warm, tropical climate is also a reason for people to relocate to Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a small country, and the areas hat are most expensive tend to be the areas that attract tourists, like Managua, the nation’s capital. Other areas will be cheaper, but may be dangerous.

• There is danger in Nicaragua, which is the main con of choosing to live there. While most of the Nicaraguan people are said to be friendly to tourists, it can be different with individuals who decide to become residents. Because of the severe poverty of the country- actually one of the poorest nation’s in the world- retiring to Nicaragua is not like retiring to a warm area like Florida. Kidnappings for ransom are not unheard of, a Americans may be considered wealthy by any standards compared to the usual income of a Nicaraguan person.

• There are other downsides of moving to Nicaragua. Because of the country’s poverty, things that are common in other countries like electricity and running water will sometimes not be there due to country wide outages. This makes an individual’s living situation very uncomfortable, regardless of the cheap costs of living in Nicaragua. This also remains true of Internet and phone service, as it will be less likely to be able to get connections for such things in Nicaragua. In America, these things are nearly a given, but Nicaraguan people consider them an almost unheard of luxury.

• If one does wish to relocate to Nicaragua despite these dangers and major inconveniences, then the best way to go about is to be granted a 90-day tourist visa. Once in Nicaragua, it is much easier to put in a residency request. This residency request can be done in the nation’s capital, Managua, at the Office of Immigration. There are two types of residence visas that one can apply for in order to live in Nicaragua. One is the investor’s visa. The other is the residence visa. For both, one must bring income proof, a birth certificate, a passport, any applicable fees, and any doctor’s or prison records. The immigration process of Nicaragua is much less complicated then being granted American residency.

One must weigh the pros and cons of living in Nicaragua before they decide to take up permanent residence there. Some may decide that the warm climate and cheap living is worth the potential danger and outages that they may encounter when living amongst the Nicaraguan people.

Hotel In Nicaragua

Although Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the world, it is still a popular tourist destination spot due to its cheap prices and warm, tropical climate. Therefore, there are many Nicaragua hotels that offer good prices for people on any budget, whether or not they are looking for a cheap room to stay in or a luxury Nicaragua hotel.

• Finding Nicaragua hotels that are right for an individual is not difficult, due to the many choices that one has. If one is seeking a luxury Nicaragua hotel, it is possible to find beautiful deluxe rooms for cheap rates. Sometimes the rooms in these Nicaragua hotels are only $100 a night. Nicaragua’s capital, Managua, is a very popular tourist spot and has luxury rooms available for this price. Couples often choose to take advantage of these luxury Nicaragua hotels, preferring them to staying in much cheaper, but shabbier areas and rooms.

• For young travelers and students, a popular Nicaragua hotel to take advantage of is a youth hostel. A youth hostel is a cheap room or bed for rent in a small Nicaragua hotel. Many times, an individual will be sharing this cheap room with other fellow travelers. These rooms may have the barest of accommodations but they are also extremely cheap, about $10 a night. Some of these youth hostel rooms in Nicaragua hotels are even cheaper. There is some danger with staying in them though. Theft is a common occurrence in youth hostels, especially in poor countries like Nicaragua. Once again, Managua has some of the best deals for Nicaragua hotel rooms in youth hostels.

• Another area to stay in that is popular with young people on a budget seeking adventure is Isla Ometepe. Individuals have the option to sleep outside in the warm climate on a hammock for $3 per night. These Nicaragua hotel accommodations can often be found in small areas that are well hidden from tourists in Isla Ometepe. The best way to find one is to ask the local residents of Nicaragua.

• For individuals that are looking for accommodations in the middle of these two extremes, Nicaragua hotels to take advantage of are ones that are located by the ocean. Nicaragua hotels in these locations are particularly popular with families, who want beach access. A room in a Nicaragua hotel like this will generally cost around $50 per night. Another popular Nicaragua hotel accommodation is one of the many casinos in the area. These casinos offer a large range of activities for families with children as well as adults.

Nicaragua hotels can be easily found on any Internet search engine, or through a travel agent. The country is now beginning to rebuild its tourist base despite some lingering danger. Taking a vacation to a Nicaragua hotel now may be the most economical to travel there.

Nicaragua Granada Hotel

One big reason that many people choose to vacation in Nicaragua despite its poverty is the deals and low nightly rates that many Nicaraguan hotels offer. A Nicaraguan hotel room can be as low as $10 a night for a cheap bed or room at a youth hostel. However, those seeking a luxury stay in a Nicaraguan hotel will not be disappointed to see the nightly rates and accommodations that are available.

• The fact that Nicaragua is not the most popular tourist location is one main reason why luxury Nicaraguan hotel accommodations are so cheap. Despite the country’s hardships, more tourists are beginning to flock to Nicaragua to take advantage of the deluxe Nicaraguan hotel suites that are available. There are several Nicaraguan hotels that are known for their low expense and grand accommodations. One of them is in the most popular Nicaragua tourist locations, the nation’s capital, Managua.

• No matter what country one is visiting, hotels are usually rated by stars, with a five star hotel being the fanciest. One four star Nicaraguan hotel is called the InterContinental Real Metrocentro. It is located in Managua. This Nicaraguan hotel boats a fitness center, pool, spa and shops. Rooms at this Nicaraguan hotel range from $75 a night for the minimum to $130 for a grand deluxe suite with a king-size bed. There are also Nicaraguan hotel packages available that give a special rate when staying several nights.

• Managua actually has the most luxury Nicaraguan hotels to offer. Because it is the nation’s capital, the Nicaraguan hotels here are some of the most popular with tourists. There are also many attractions in this city, and the relative safety of it makes tourists feel comfortable and offer many opportunities for fun. Rates in luxury Nicaraguan hotels in Managua average about $100 a night for a deluxe suite, which is a steal compared to other countries’ hotel rates.

• Spanish is the official Nicaraguan language, and one area that is known for its beautiful Nicaraguan hotels is Granada. Granada is actually Nicaragua’s oldest known city, and the Spanish Nicaraguan hotels are mostly restores Spanish buildings that have been turned into Nicaraguan hotels. Some of these Nicaraguan hotels are international hotels that offer cheaper rates that other chain locations, but just as many are indecently owned. Rates for deluxe Nicaraguan hotel accommodations in Granada tend to be around $75 per night.

Staying in a luxury Nicaraguan hotel for a low rate is considered one main reason tourists decide to visit the area. In the United States, many of the cheapest hotel chains charge at least $50 a night for a small motel room, while a luxury Nicaraguan hotel room will usually only costs about $30 more than that.

Traveling to Nicaragua

If one wishes to travel to Nicaragua, there are many factors that they should be aware of. While Nicaragua is a beautiful country that is known for its cheap hotel rates and tropical climate, it can also be a dangerous country due to the high poverty rate and previous wars. In fact, although Nicaraguan travel is becoming more popular, it is only recently that a transformation has been made to attract tourists.

• Nicaragua is known more its war and country wide blackouts then its Nicaraguan travel. However, in recent years, more people have chosen to travel to Nicaragua. In fact Nicaraguan travel is considered to be safer then ever, even though there is still danger in the country. Location matters when traveling to Nicaragua. Areas like Managua, the nation’s capital, and Grenada, the nation’s oldest city are considered to be two of the safest areas to visit. These areas are known for Nicaraguan travel and have many tourist attractions and cheap, deluxe hotels to stay in. One should be on the look out for pick-pockets, as many of the locals are very poor.

• When one decides to travel to Nicaragua, they should keep in mind that getting
vaccinations are strong recommended for any international traveling. In Nicaragua, common diseases that one should be vaccinated for are various types of hepatitis, malaria, tuberculosis and rabies. While these diseases are all treatable and easily prevented in the United States, Nicaraguan travel can bring them about if one doesn’t take precautions first. It’s also important to drink bottles water, although most of the hotels, particularly the luxury hotels, have top-notch water purification systems. Drinking bottles water or other bottled drinks is still the safest bet.

• When engaging in Nicaraguan travel, one should try to experience local Nicaraguan culture to make the most of their vacation. The city of Grenada in particular, with its ancient Spanish architecture, is one the most popular areas to visit. Most of the Spanish architecture has been refurbished, but the city is said to still maintain the grandeur of its earlier years. Other cities are known for jungles, beautiful beaches and volcanoes.

• Before one decides to travel to Nicaragua, they should be sure to secure hotel accommodations. Grand hotel suites in Nicaragua typically will not cost more than $100 a night, while those on a very limited budget can rent a small room or a bed from a youth hostel. No matter what the budget an individual has, Nicaraguan travel will be one of the cheapest vacation spots available.

Traveling to Nicaragua can be an amazing experience as long as an individual knows what precautions to take. If a person plans accordingly, then their Nicaraguan travel experience will be a fun and satisfying experience.

Christmas in Nicaragua

The culture of Nicaragua is rich with ancient traditions. In fact, the Nicaragua culture relies heavily on older Spanish traditions when celebrating many holidays. One of those holidays are Christmas. If one wants to visit Nicaragua for Christmas, they may want to take advantage of Nicaragua culture to celebrate the holiday in a different way. The residents of Nicaragua have many Christmas traditions.

• The culture of Nicaragua derives from many Spanish countries. One activity that occurs in the culture of Nicaragua when celebrating Christmas includes participating in the celebration that is known as Las Posadas. In Nicaragua culture, Las Posadas is a reenactment of the birth of Jesus Christ that lasts nine days. Within the nine days, the story of Mary and Joseph looking for an inn to have the baby is performed. This piece of Nicaragua culture is one of the oldest Spanish traditions that are practiced.

• Giving away small gifts like little toys and candy is also part of the Christmas culture of Nicaragua. Religious items are also popular gifts to give at Christmas per Nicaragua culture. These small gifts are opened on Christmas, while fireworks are shot off. In Nicaragua culture, Christmas Eve is the evening of an important midnight mass. After mass, a homemade meal is an important part of the Christmas culture of Nicaragua. Nicaragua culture, like other countries, relies on particular foods. In the United States, turkey or goose are popular Christmas dinners. In Nicaragua, chicken tamales and homemade desserts and candies is the meal of choice for Nicaraguan residents.

• However, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is not the only important dates in Christmas Nicaragua culture. Other important dates are December 7th, which is La Griteria and January 6th, which is called the feast of Epiphany. On La Griteria, children go from house to house in the quest for candy and small toys, much like the United States’ Halloween tradition. The feast of Epiphany is a piece of Nicaragua culture that is based on a legend. In the legend, an elderly woman refused to travel with the three wise men to bring gifts to baby Jesus. It is said that she now travels the world in search of him. Local children also flock to the altar of the Virgin Mary, bringing flower bouquets as a form of worship.

A Nicaraguan Christmas is filled with traditional activities and is a time of great celebration for its residents. Americans visiting for the holiday will find a different world of Nicaragua culture then what they are used to in the United States.

Beach of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a country that is famous for many things. Tropical weather, cheap hotels, and beautiful Nicaragua beaches are some of the reasons why travel to Nicaragua is slowly becoming more popular, despite past difficulties that the country has faced. One Nicaragua beach is particularly popular for tourists and residents alike to visit. The Nicaragua beach is called San Juan del Sur, and until recently it was considered a beach for locals only, kept hidden from Nicaraguan tourists and the outside world.

• Although there are many beautiful Nicaragua beaches, San Juan del Sur is considered to be something special even by local standards. The surrounding town, also called San Juan del Sur, is a quiet area that is not known for fancy restaurants or nightclubs. Many of the tourists that travel to the Nicaraguan beach find it to be a peaceful relaxation spot. Although the Nicaraguan beach is now well-known, the area is still quiet by tourist standards, with only one fancy hotel. Many tourists choose to rent a tent and camp out on the Nicaraguan beach.

• Residents of San Juan del Sur have lives that mostly revolve around the surrounding Pacific Ocean, with the Nicaragua beach providing the backdrop to many of their fun activities as well their day-to-day lives of working. Many residents who live in the town surrounding the Nicaragua beach rely on it for their livelihood. A lot of residents of them are professional fishermen or run businesses that cater to tourists, such as snorkeling activities and surfing lessons. The San Juan del Sur Nicaragua beach is considered to be a top location for water sports such as surfing and scuba diving. The water is clear and a light breeze wafts off the bay, keeping the Nicaragua beach a comfortable temperature for both relaxing in the sun and swimming. Many Nicaraguan beaches offer similar activities such as horseback riding and hiking. San Juan del Sur also offers these activities, as well as many others.

• Another reason why this Nicaragua beach is so popular is the view that can be seen from the tops of San Juan’s volcanoes. From that location, one can actually see parts of Costa Rico. The relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding town still offers many fun activities to tourists looking to do things beside relaxing on Nicaragua beaches. Besides beach activities, tourists have the options of shopping in small local shops that sell handmade items, listening to live reggae music, and participating in local customs like the June celebration to the patron saint of San Juan del Sur: San Juan. Weather in the Nicaragua beach town is usually sunny and warm, although the end of the year tends to bring about rain.

Although beautiful Nicaragua beaches are only one reason that a traveler may choose to visit Nicaragua, even those who are interested in other exciting activities may want to take some time to visit the Nicaragua beach of San Juan del Sur.

History of Nicaragua

The history of Nicaragua is one that dates back to the year 500. As the largest nation in Central America, it is roughly the size of New York state, and it is home to nearly six million people. Of that six million, nearly all of them, roughly 98%, are under the age of 65 and 50% live in poverty. Although it is now a popular tourist destination known for a beautiful tropic climate and cheap hotel rates, the history of Nicaragua is rife with war, poverty and famine.

• Around the year 500, the first settlers came to Nicaragua. Archaeological evidence in the history of Nicaragua points to the earliest residents being Paleo-Indians. By the 1500s, Nicaragua was inhabited mostly by people of Indian and Mexican origin. The Mexicans and Indians survived by using the land for farming. The country was not known as Nicaragua until 1522, when Spanish explorer Gil Gonzalez Divila named the nation for a Indian king whose name translated to Nicarao. Nicaragua history shows that Davila, like Columbus, did not mean to set foot in the area he did. Leaks in the ships he was leading in exploration forced them to stop along the coast of Panama. After exploring the area, Davila became impressed and dispatched his men to baptize the Indians. Eventually, they were met with resistance.

• Although the history of Nicaragua did not start in 1500s, not much is known about the time period before that. In 1524, it is a Nicaragua history fact that Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, sailing for Spain, finished conquering the country of Nicaragua, officially making it one of Spain’s territories. Because of this, it is de Cordoba who is considered to be the official founder of Nicaragua. His men departed from Nicaragua with pounds of the gold that they found in the region.

• Nicaragua history shows that for about 300 years, Nicaragua remained a territory of Spain. However, in 1821, Nicaragua declared independence from Spain and joined the Mexican Empire. Soon after, 1823, Nicaragua became part of United Provinces of Central America. It was not until 1838 that the history of Nicaragua shows that independence from other countries and empires was finally achieved. As a country that had long suffered through war and outside control, a Nicaraguan general named Jose Santos Zelaya took control of the country. Soon after, according to Nicaragua history, his reign did not last long, as the United State military troops overthrew him in 1909.

• In 1937, General Anastasio Somoza Garcia became President of Nicaragua. The history of Nicaragua shows that he and his family maintained control of Nicaragua for the next 40 years. During his time as president, an earthquake hit Nicaragua’s capital of Managua, killing 5,000 to 10,000 people. Soon after in 1979, the President of Nicaragua, a Garcia family member named Anastasio Somoza Debayle fled the country when the rebel group called the Sadinistas took over the country.

• Nicaragua history shows that it was around this time that the United States stopped all aid to Nicaragua and began supporting a group of fighters known as the Contra. This fighting continued until the late 1980s. In that time period, the history of Nicaragua was rife with fights and a Sadinista member named Daniel Ortega was elected as president. The Sadinistas ruled Nicaragua for six years and during their reign, almost 200,000 residents were left homeless due to Hurricane Joan. This disturbing piece of the history of Nicaragua was followed by the death of thousands due to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Ortega took back control of the land in 2007.

Although Nicaragua history is filled with war, the area is becoming safer as time progresses. Currently, it is becoming a popular tourist destination despite its poverty.

Food of the People

Like most countries, Nicaragua is a country with a rich history. Nicaraguan culture consists of festivals, celebrations, and of course, food. Traditional foods of Nicaraguan cultures play a large part in the lives of the residents as well as the tourists, who visit Nicaragua for the tropical beauty and inexpensive vacation options.

• Nicaraguan culture relies on the origin of the country’s residents. A mixture of mostly Indians and Mexicans, both have traditional cooking styles that are clearly reflected in the cooking style of the Nicaraguan people. Spanish food is a staple of Nicaraguan culture. Some holidays like Christmas includes certain types of food in the Nicaraguan culture. In Nicaraguan culture, the midnight mass that is celebrated on Christmas Eve is always followed by a large, home cooked traditional Nicaraguan meal. This meal consists of chicken tamales, a salad made of jicama and oranges, and desserts. Some old fashioned Nicaraguan cultures followed by residents include killing and cooking their own chickens and growing their own rice.

• While many larger tourists cities such as Nicaraguan capital Managua have gone the way of chain restaurant to please tourists, smaller towns still opt for the traditional Nicaraguan cultures of particular foods. Some foods are particularly popular. One of these foods are a traditional soup of the Nicaraguan culture that is known as Mondongo. The soup is made with a mixture of meat, potatoes, onions, sweet peppers and corn, among other vegetables. It is served and eaten with sides of cheese and avocados.

• A very common meal that is a part of Nicaraguan culture is called gallo pinto. This meal is not made for any particular special occasion as it is an everyday dish made of fried rice, onions, red Spanish beans and sweet peppers mixed with garlic, mixed and cooked with coconut oil. This traditional backbone of the food of Nicaraguan culture may be served with a dessert known as cajeta de coco. It is made of coconut and yucca strings that are sweetened in syrup concocted of milk candy and syrup.

• Another traditional dish of the Nicaraguan culture is called vigoron. In this meal, a large plantain tree leaf is covered with a mixture Nicaraguan vegetables such as yacca, chicharron and a cabbage and tomato salad. This dish can be served either baked or cold according to preference.

Whether made for special occasions like Christmas or just a regular dinner, Nicaraguan cultures consists of Spanish based meals that combine strong flavored spices, meats and vegetables.

Immigration Laws

Although Nicaragua is a country that has been heavily affected by war and poverty, there are still people that decide to relocate there to become permanent residents. Many of these people are American, Canadian or German retirees who are looking for an inexpensive and warm area to settle. The laws of Nicaraguan immigration are not as strict as the laws of United States immigration, but there are still many rules that must be followed to properly and legally immigrate to Nicaragua.

• One law of Nicaraguan immigration is that one is not allowed to open a bank account nor can they turn on any utilities such as electricity in their homes under their own names. These things are limited to residents of Nicaragua only. Extending a tourist visa is not the proper way to go about getting naturalized in Nicaragua. To follow the law, a person’s residency has to be made official before getting any privileges.

• Anyone who expects to stay for over 90 days in Nicaragua must apply for permanent residency by law. A tourist visa can only last for 90 days. If an individual plans on trying to become a permanent resident of Nicaragua, applying for permanent resident status will go much smoother if they already have a tourist visa. The Immigration Office is the place to start. Nicaraguan laws requires the individual applying for residency to request an extension of their stay in Nicaragua. The must also have a valid passport and a Nicaraguan exit/entry stamp to show to officials at that time. This can be obtained at the Immigration Office. One should have the required fees on hand as well.

• There are many types of subcategories under the two main statuses of Nicaraguan immigration. By law, a person must fall into one of these two main categories which are resident and non-resident. The documents that are required to request this residency is a passport, the exit/entry stamp, passport photos, a certificate of good health, proof of available funds, a criminal background check and birth certificate. Nicaraguan laws state that all this information must be up to date or else the application for residency may be denied. Law requires that every document presented must authentic and some must be notarized.

• Depending on what sub-category of residency status that one is applying for, the laws on what must be presented may vary. There are many different types of sub categories for residency, ranging from journalist to resident leasing property to investor to student. Different documentation is required by law; for instance, a student requesting residency will be required to show school paperwork while one requesting investor residency will have to show proof of the investment being made and any financial records related to that.

Although not as difficult as well as rarer than being an immigrant in the United States, it is becoming more popular to immigrate to Nicaragua. As the country slowly rebuilds itself, people are beginning to move there to take advantage of the cheap living and tropical climate. Following immigration laws will help a person be granted residency with greater ease.

Vacationing in Nicaragua

While some consider a poverty and war stricken country like Nicaragua an odd place to vacation, others decide to visit after seeing how beautiful and inexpensive the country is. Reading a Nicaraguan travel guide can prepare an individual for their trip by giving them an idea of what type of transportation they will be using, what kinds of food they will eating, and what kinds of activities they can expect to participate in.

• In the age of technology, many people may choose to plan their Nicaraguan vacations on the Internet for free instead of paying a Nicaragua travel agency. However, there are some benefits to consulting a Nicaraguan travel agency. While websites can show an individual pictures, allow them to read online Nicaraguan travel guides and even read testimonials, a Nicaraguan travel agency be able to gain a better understanding of their clients’ needs. The travel agent will plan a trip catered specifically to the individual, instead of a generic trip planner that may be available on the Internet.

• When consulting various Nicaraguan travel guides, one should consider what kind of trip they want to take. If it’s a romantic vacation or a honeymoon, a top of the line suite may be in order, along with fancy restaurants, dancing and shopping excursions. Planning this kind of trip with a Nicaraguan travel agency has its pros: the travel agent knows which hotels specifically cater to couples. Some of these hotels may be off-limits to families and children. Even top suites in deluxe hotels will usually only costs about $100.

• Planning a family trip to Nicaragua will change the dynamic completely. Families expecting to vacationing in Nicaragua should consult any Nicaraguan travel guides that specifically cater to families. Activities like boating, hiking and swimming may be the main priority. Individuals who are traveling without much money, mostly students and younger people, usually cannot afford to use a Nicaraguan travel agency and may opt for independently searching for cheap youth hostels instead. Renting a bed in one of these youth hostels will usually cost less than $10.

• Once in Nicaragua, actual Nicaraguan tour guides will be available to lead tourists around to popular destinations. These Nicaraguan tour guides will know the answers to many questions about Nicaraguan history as well as activities that one can do, good places to eat and areas for the best shopping.

While any Internet website can tell an individual that the Nicaraguan drink of choice is Rum and that most meals will be spicy dishes made of meat, vegetables and rice, a Nicaraguan travel agency may be better able to plan a satisfying trip for a family, couple or individual.