This blog has been fully updated for the 2024-2025 travel season to reflect the latest entry requirements and regulations set by the Nicaraguan government.
Travelers must present a passport valid for more than 6 months or an immigration document recognized by Nicaragua; carry an entry visa if required or a residence card and comply with the procedures and fees established for immigration clearance.
Non-nationals must complete an immigration form en línea. It is recommended to complete it at least 7 days before your arrival.
Every foreigner upon entering the country must pay an amount of US$ 10.00 dollars or its equivalent in national currency as a tourist card. Citizens of the CA-4 Convention countries (Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua) are exempt from this tariff.
At land border posts if you bring a vehicle you have to pay US$ 5.00 dollars or its equivalent in córdobas for a vehicle. US$ 10.00 dollars for a minibus, and US$ 15.00 dollars for the entrance fee for a bus.
Vaccines
The General Health Law and its reforms, for the control and prevention of diseases, establishes for entering the country in relation to the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever, that all travelers from a country with risk of transmission of the disease, According to the list of the World Health Organization, WHO, it is required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate or card.
They will not present an international yellow fever vaccination certificate:
- Travelers who transit through a country at risk of transmission.
- People from countries without risk of transmission, who remain in Panama for no less than 24 hours.
- Children under 1 year old or over 60 years old.
- Supported by medical evidence for pregnant women, lactating women, people with egg allergies and altered immunity.
- Entry protocols to Nicaragua
Since July 21, 2023, Nicaragua has not asked travelers for a Covid-19 vaccine card or a negative RT-PCR result for Covid.
Nicaragua Entry Requirements 2024 – 2025 Traveling by Air
Travelers can fly directly to Augusto C. Sandino airport, located in the capital city of Managua. Currently, Avianca, Copa Airlines, and Aeromexico are the only major airlines flying into Managua. If you’re traveling from the United States, most flights will connect from Miami, Florida.
In Nicaragua you can fly locally using the airline La Costeña
Arrival at the Airport
After landing in Managua, you will encounter a brief and simple customs process. Nicaragua entry requirements include a $10 travel visa and some basic information about your trip. Make sure to carry some cash, either USD or Nicaraguan currency, the Cordoba, as you cannot pay with a credit card. Bear in mind that the travel visa is only valid for 90 days and that if you decide to extend your trip beyond three months you will have to apply for an extension. Have your trip information on hand because the customs agents ask for your destination in Nicaragua and a telephone number at which you can be contacted. If you are traveling with any pricy electronics, you should avoid keeping them in their original packaging. Customs agents keeps an eye out for expensive items that can be valued and taxed at their discretion. Items that may draw attention include:
- Binoculars (these will be confiscated)
- High end camera lenses
- Drones (these will be confiscated)
- Glasses/Contact Lenses in their original packaging
- Prescription medications
- Expensive electronics
Once you’ve cleared Customs, there are taxi drivers waiting to take you to your destination. Overall, Nicaraguan’s entry requirements by air are straightforward and travelers seldom find themselves encountering any problems. The stunning beaches of Popoyo are approximately 3 hours from Augusto C. Sandino airport.
General Tips for Air Entry
Here are a few general tips to travelers who decide to travel by air to Nicaragua while following Nicaragua’s entry requirements.
- Many major airlines list flights to Managua and almost always cancel. American Airlines is the primary culprit.
- Carry USD in small denominations. Border agents may not have change on hand.
- Arrange your taxi driver beforehand. You can negotiate a better price and you won’t have to worry about an important leg of your journey.
- Carry your prescription for your medicine and receipts for expensive items. Customs agents are fickle and can confiscate your goods if they deem it to be worth over $500 or lacking the proper documentation.
Nicaragua Entry Requirements 2024-2025 Traveling by Land
Nicaragua travel requirements are similar when travelers cross into Nicaragua by land through Peñas Blancas, the southern border along Costa Rica. Nicaragua entry requirements are the same for this route but the process differs slightly. Typically, travelers fly to Liberia, a northern city in Costa Rica situated a little over an hour away from the border. Costa Rica travelers require proof of onward travel out of Costa Rica. A bus or plane ticket suffices. If necessary, travelers can purchase a bus ticket on site to satisfy this requirement. The border is open from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM on Monday – Saturday and 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Sunday.
Arrival in Liberia
After landing in Liberia, Costa Rica, you can find a host of taxi drivers that can take you to the border. The ride should cost approximately $80.00 – $90.00 USD. This rate may vary depending upon the size of the vehicle. You can also arrange a taxi beforehand to pick you up upon arrival. The drive to the border is smooth and only lasts a little over an hour. Ideally, you want to arrive at the border in the morning or as early as possible. The Peñas Blanca border can be rather busy during the afternoon and the mid-day heat is unforgiving. Once arriving at the Costa Rican border, travelers have to pay a $10.00 USD exit fee. Look for a small, unassuming office on the right side of the Costa Rican border. Travelers can pay the fee in either Colones or USD.
After paying your exit fee, move on towards the immigration office to your left. Customs officers request your passport, exit fee payment, and proof of onward travel. Keep all of these documents on hand in order to avoid unnecessary hassle. Assuming no congestion, travelers can expect to clear Costa Rican customs in approximately 15-20 minutes. Finally, you will pass your bag through an X-ray machine and be on your way. Again, the earlier you arrive to the border the more likely you pass through in a timely manner.
After clearing Costa Rican customs, you trek about 200 meters towards the Nicaraguan customs office. If luggage burdens you or you are otherwise fatigued, tricycle drivers can ferry you to the other side for a nominal fee. Nicaraguan officers will stop you in the middle of the walk between borders to check your passport and confirm that you have been processed correctly according to Nicaragua entry requirements.
Nicaraguan Customs at the Border
Nicaragua entry requirements are simple and clearing customs should not take longer than 15-20 minutes. Upon arrival, you pay a $1.00 USD municipal fee as part of a standard Nicaragua entry requirement. Customs agents request your passport, the address of your destination, and your occupation. The 90 day travel visa costs $10.00 and you pay in either USD or Cordobas. Nicaraguan customs does not accept credit or debit cards. After clearing customs, your luggage passes through an X-ray machine in accordance with Nicaragua’s entry requirements and you will be on your way to your destination. Travelers can find taxi drivers ready to take you to any one of the breathtaking destinations in Nicaragua. The popular beaches of Popoyo and lively city of San Juan del Sur are both rather close to the southern border so make sure to visit.
General Tips for Land Entry
Here are a few general tips to travelers who choose to travel by land into Nicaragua through the Peñas Blancas border while following Nicaraguas entry requirements.
- Carry USD with you in small denominations (bills under $20.00). Border agents oftentimes do not have change on hand and waste your time looking for it.
- Dress for comfort. After clearing the Costa Rican border, you have to lug your bags on a somewhat long, albeit flat, stretch of road. Long clothes may not be comfortable.
- Have your travel documents, including your itinerary, readily available. Customs requests your passport a minimum of three times throughout the border crossing.
- Be wary offers to help cross the border in exchange for money. Crossing the border is easy and those offering their assistance will oftentimes inflate the difficulty of the process.
- Schedule all of your taxi rides before you land. You may be able to negotiate a better rate with a taxi driver beforehand and arranging everything prior to your arrival will give you peace of mind.
- Don’t forget to factor your taxi rides into your overall travel budget. Flights to Liberia are generally cheaper than flights to Managua. A round trip taxi ride from Liberia to your destination in Nicaragua could sway your budget in the wrong direction.
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If you have any questions feel free to contact us and we will be providing you any extra information.
