Is Nicaragua Safe To Travel?

It is a country in Central America located between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea which boasts of impressive volcano formations, stunning coastline, historic towns, and vibrant culture. However, in recent years Nicaragua has experienced some political turmoil and civil unrest, so travelers are left wondering – is Nicaragua safe for tourists?

The short answer is yes – Nicaragua is relatively safe for a tourist to visit provided they take the necessary precautions as a visitor. Most of the country is actually very safe, including main tourist areas such as Granada, Leon, San Juan del Sur, and any other places that are usually included in the so-called “Gringo Trail.” However, it is always wise to check the current political climate in the country. There may be aggressive tendencies from time to time.

Current Political Instability

The contentious social security reforms declared by President Daniel Ortega in April 2018 further led to anti-government demonstrations in Nicaragua. Ortega used police and paramilitary to disperse protestors and thus made Nicaragua politically unstable by killing more than 300 individuals.

Although the civil unrest has subsided, there is still hostility between the anti-government protestors and the pro-government factions. Small protests still occur in the various regions of the country, and the main demand is the resignation of President Ortega and the holding of early elections. They are common on the periphery of the major attractions, but sometimes may involve tourist areas such as public places, roads, and airports.

Further, economic issues resulting from sanctions by the United States as well as a drastic reduction in tourist influx compounded issues. Infrastructure projects have slowed down and there are still many people out of work although the economy in Nicaragua is slowly improving.

Is Nicaragua safe for tourists?

As for crime, the evidence points to Nicaragua being as safe, if not safer than other regional counterparts for travelers. If one avoids areas where most of the unrest takes place then traveling can be safe and enjoyable for tourists in Nicaragua.

Crime with violence against the tourists is not very frequent, and it is even less likely in the popular tourist destinations. The most frequent crime is pick pocketing and even this is less frequent than in other Central American and Caribbean countries. People who protect their belongings in that respect do not experience any issues.

That said, it's wise for tourists in Nicaragua to

• Stay informed about possible future protests - do not attend massive political rallies
  
• Comply politely if detained at government check-points
  
• Do not wander down poorly illuminated side streets or other areas where you might be alone at night.
  
• Keep your belongings in hotel safes; travelers should limit the amount of cash they take with them.
  
• Avoid wearing luxurious accessories like necklaces, rings, or wristwatches to the event.
  
• Photographers should avoid attracting attention when they are taking a picture in a public place.

Current Advisories

Below are current travel warnings issued

• The current travel advisory level for the United States is Level 3, which means reconsidering travel to the country.
  
• Canada Travel Advisory Level 3: Avoid non-essential travel
  
• U.K. Travel Advisory: Suggests avoiding travel

These governments encourage their citizens to refrain from travelling to Nicaragua because of civil unrest, crime, and arbitrary arrest of demonstrators by the police. Despite tourist areas generally being secure, governments have little capacity to assist their citizens in the event of an emergency in the afflicted zones.

Always consult the government travel advisories for the latest alert. People can visit Nicaragua without worrying about their security as long as they do not go near any political demonstrations or roadblocks.

Which Places Are Safe For Travelers?

Here's an overview of safety in Nicaragua's main tourist destinations

Granada & Leon

These charming colonial cities are part of the itinerary of most backpacking trails and are often the highlight of the trip. Many of their tourist destinations are buoyant on the back of foreign visitors. While both cities have seen their share of protests from time to time, tourists are not often a direct target. Those who avoid all political events should have completely safe travels.

San Juan Del Sur

A lively beach party town in Nicaragua is famous for attracting surfers and the younger guests to the beach bar and nightclubs. San Juan del Sur hosts more visitors (especially from the United States), and thus has been primarily withdrawn from the conflicts observed in other areas. Using our heads, one should never encounter large problems concerning safety while traveling.

Corn Islands

These low-key islands are on Nicaragua’s Caribbean side and are perfect for those looking to have an island vacation with little to no action. Domestic tourism assists in the growth of their economies especially in the recent past when international tourists’ visitation rate has declined. The distant coast has not been a victim of instabilities that are often experienced politically in the mainland.

Ometepe Island

Another pleasant destination on the list of Nicaragua’s natural wonders is this tranquil island located in the massive Lake Nicaragua. Ometepe has a large police/military force to guard tourism investments and has been impacted little by national level strife.

Nicaragua Travel Safety Recommendations

Despite that, Nicaragua is still safe for travelers who do not deviate from standard sightseeing routes, however, it is better to be even more careful because of unpredictable situation. Below are tips for responsible travel.

• Stay attuned to local news and happenings during your travel.
  
• Do not attend political functions such as; rallies and demonstrations
  
• As much as possible be ready to deal with possible travel delay/disruptions
  
• They should have ready money, food staples, and backup plans
  
• When planning for travel, buy insurance with trip disruption as a feature
  
• Share with family/friends detailed schedule before going away
  
• Obey the instructions of local authorities/staff of the hotel
  
• Take a hotel transportation; do not go out trekking in the wilderness.

In conclusion, Nicaragua boasts natural beauty, historical towns, friendly people, and adventurous activities, all at a very affordable price. This paper also identifies that tourism is important to recover the economic problems incurred recently. Travelers do not have to engage in risky behaviors and should not lose their visitation rights in Nicaragua because of their country’s unfortunate uprisings.

So leave Costa Rica’s busy tourism behind and visit the fascinating up and coming destination that is Nicaragua! Just be an informed, conscious traveler once you arrive. Have a spectacular adventure!

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