Traveling in Nicaragua

[burnin_vernon]

Has anyone taken a vacation there? I was hoping to explore the country a little instead of being cooped up in a resort but am concerned about the safety.

The Canadian government website says this : Exercise a high degree of caution.There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Nicaragua. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to armed violence that is commonly used during criminal activities.


I seem to recall a similar warning for Mexico last year, and we did 1600km in a rented car without a hint of danger. Are these warnings standard?



Any other advice on the logistics of such a trip would be welcome. I'm just beginning to research this.

[bluejays]

^ as a note of caution, I really would pay attention to the government of Canada's travel alerts. Anytime I've traveled to a place with those alerts, you arrive and see the surface and think everything is totally cool and they got it all wrong with the advisory, then you see things here and there and realize there is a lot of dangerous stuff below the surface and maybe it is warranted. I'm surprised you did the Mexico car rental thing. I've probably been to Mexico 7 times, and each time I've seen weird stuff happening. That's one of those countries you couldn't pay me enough to take a long trek like that in.

[driveway]

I was in Nicaragua 10 years ago and had an absolutely phenomenal time without even a hint of danger. Honduras and El Salvador were sketchy, but Nicaragua felt fine. Must visits on the list would be: San Juan del Sur, and Isla Ometepe - in particular this hostel on that island: http://fincamagdalena.com/

Best Coffee you'll ever have in your life. For sure.

Granada and Leon are really cool too. Managua is a hole, but all the capitals in Central America are kinda holes... except San Salvador, I really liked San Salvador for some reason.

Yeah, the advisory for Cambodia says the same thing "Exercise a high degree of caution" but no specific advisory. Be aware and you'll be fine.

[driveway]

duplicate post

[Yoho]

I swear every time I see this thread title I think it's about the Flames GM in Central America

[GP_Matt]

My parents just got back from a month of backpacking in Nicaragua and had a great time. Highly recommended the trip.

It was just the two of them and they said they always felt safe with lots of friendly people. They didn't spend any time in Manuaga though.

[blender]

My old man is traveling there right now. He is 70, but a pretty experienced traveler. He says he feels pretty safe.

[Oil Stain]

I've been there three times in the last two years. I've had zero issues.

Crime exists there no doubt but Nicaragua has the lowest crime rate out of all the Latin American countries.