Nicaragua

Itineraries While we intend to adhere to the route described in your contract, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.
The contract is a general guide to the tour, region, and proposed itinerary any mention of specific wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be encountered, as we can never guarantee what mother nature has to offer us.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Accommodation If a hotel is unexpectedly fully booked, we will always contact you before booking an alternative. We will always offer alternatives of the same level and value for money.
Kindly note that water is scarce in many parts of the world, so we always recommend taking short showers and reuse towels if possible.

Emergency Contact Should you need to contact Your Travel Nation during a situation of dire need. If you do not receive an immediate answer for any reason, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. We have an emergency line, which will connect you directly with our office.
+1 757 656 3391 

Luggage You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be restricted to one medium-sized rolling bag, duffle bag, or backpack, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited.

Packing list
Documents:
• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the immigration)
• Insurance info (With photocopies)
• Passport  (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates  (With photocopies)
• Copy of your contract 

Essentials:
• Any medication you might need: This should include medication for possible common situations like headaches or diarrhea;
• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, and lip balm.
• Your electronic devices and chargers.
For camera and lenses; we recommend bringing a wide lens (about 17-55mm) for those scenery pictures, and a GoPro to capture those action shots; Renting a camera is not possible. Please ensure your camera equipment is appropriate for different weather conditions;
• Clothes: Comfortable and casual clothing. You should pack T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, jeans, a sweater and a jacket (for the cold mornings), swimwear (if the accommodation you selected has a pool or if you do a beach extension), and comfortable hiking shoes;
• Insect repellent;
• Refill water bottle;
• Adaptor for A and B type plugs.

Laundry Hand washing of clothes can be done at most of the hotels where you will stay. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of simple string to act as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to completely dry. Your hotels may also have a laundry service available at an additional fee.

Visa & Entry requirements Travelers will all need a passport valid for at least 6 months after they depart. Travelers from the US do not need a visa to stay less than 30 days. Travelers from other nationalities should check with the Nicaraguan Embassy for visa information. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each travelers responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa and passport information.

Insurance A travel insurance is highly recommended when traveling. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that we highly recommend good medical coverage and repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects.
We don’t issue any insurances; however, we recommend using www.worldnomads.com

Health We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least three months before departure or in case of a last-minute tour, as soon as you confirm your travels. Travellers are also advised to carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your local guide of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling. Your local guide will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

Allergies and dietary restrictions This is something we take very seriously. Upon booking with us, we will send you a form in which you will be able to indicate any dietary preference or restriction or any specific request you might have. We will then provide that information in advance to all the hotels.

Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. 
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, bank cards, cash, and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of your group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our local guides have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes. 

Photography and drone laws Please refrain from taking photos of police stations, airports, bus stations, immigration or border crossings, army barracks and personnel, or any government building. It is against the law and will result in the minimum of your film and camera being confiscated. According to Nicaragua’s national aviation authority, the Nicaraguan Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC), drones are banned in Nicaragua. If you try to enter the country with a drone it will be confiscated at customs unless you have a permit. If you have a permit you should ensure you follow the drone laws when flying in Nicaragua.

Electricity In Nicaragua the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. Type A: mainly used in North and Central America, China, and Japan. This socket only works with plug A.Type B: like type A but with an extra prong for grounding. This socket also works with plug A. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Religion Christianity is the largest religion in Nicaragua.

Climate A tropical climate can be observed in Nicaragua. There are three temperature zones in Nicaragua. In the lowlands (Pacific and Atlantic coast) temperatures vary roughly between 72° F at night and 86° F at daytime (22° C - 30° C). Temperature can reach 100° F in May (38° C). The central part of the country is about 9° F (5° C) cooler, and in the mountains, in the north, it's about 18° F (10° C) cooler.

Best time to visit The best time to visit Nicaragua is when there is little to no rain throughout the country so that you can get the most out of your vacation. Between December and February, the weather in Nicaragua is rather pleasant and warm, so whether you want to enjoy a day at the beach, or just exploring the local architecture, you will be good to go. However, between March and April, the temperatures will rise, and it might be really warm, especially in the coastal areas. There is little to no rain during these months, so you won’t have to worry about losing your holiday days! This is the peak season, so you should make sure you book your tickets and accommodation well in advance.

Plastic bags Plastic bags are banned from entering Nicaragua. However, plastics carrier items known as “Ziplock bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country. 

Money and currency The local currency is called Cordoba and its rate exchange is tied to the US dollar. US dollars are generally accepted as legal tender in most locations, though you should make sure to have small denominations of less than $10 US. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, and tipping. We always recommend carrying enough cash if you would like to pay for something in a remote place and the credit card machine cannot connect to any network. Please keep in mind that credit- or debit cards can also be used.

Tipping Tipping in Nicaragua is pretty common and to be expected in most places. Tipping a guide will be somewhat expected depending on the length of the tour and quality. You should aim to tip the guide 5-10% and the driver about half that. Sometimes the driver will have a tip box already set up near his seat. Tipping in hotels is common and is expected. You should tip the bellboy 25 NIO per bag and the housekeeper 25 NIO per day.

Dress code The dress code in Nicaragua is very casual, but this doesn’t mean you don’t still have to consider your choices. Nicaraguan people take pride in the way they dress in public and for the most part, always look neat. The main tourist cities of Granada and Leon are obviously used to tourists but are still relatively conservative. Grown men always wear long pants and button-down shirts. They consider shorts and t-shirts for the beach only.