Nicaraguans living in the United States are coming to terms with the reality that they are currently in a borrowed immigration period. In 2022, if you do not find another stay option through the parole program (not to be confused with the military parole program), you may have to leave the United States when your two-year permit expires this year. there is.
But about 100,000 Nicaraguans may apply for asylum or other legal protection to remain in the United States. But they are likely to stay longer because there is a severe backlog in immigration courts and Nicaragua’s authoritarian government will not readily cooperate with U.S. deportations. Fewer than 2,400 people were forcibly returned to their home countries in 2023.
But with so many immigration issues coming to the United States (especially with the current presidential election), American travelers may wonder if it’s safe to visit Nicaragua.
Overview of Nicaragua
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If you’re interested in outdoor travel, Nicaragua is a fun place to visit. Water sports and beach life are popular here, including swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and boating. If you’re into the tanning trend, you can get your tan here too. Animal lovers may jump at the chance to go horseback riding. History buffs may also be intrigued by traditional sugar mills and organic shrimp farming tours.
If you’d rather have fun than see, take a tour to visit volcanoes, mountains, rainforests, lakes, and oceans. This Central American country of 6.9 million people also offers jungle tours and camping adventures.
If you speak Spanish, you may be able to easily navigate the western half of the country, which was a former Spanish colony. Their first language is Spanish and they practice Catholicism. Some indigenous Indian cultures are also mixed in. In the east of the country, most people speak English and practice the Catholic faith more than Protestants. On the Atlantic side of the country, the atmosphere is closer to the Caribbean side. There are a small number of Garinagu people, but there are many people of African descent.
Nicaragua official travel advisory
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has classified Nicaragua as “Level 3: Reconsider travel.” The main reasons for doing so include “arbitrary enforcement of the law, risk of unjust detention, and limited access to medical care.” Nicaragua is also on high alert due to crime. Government and law enforcement authorities continue to target individuals and organizations opposed to Mr. Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo.
Before U.S. visitors arrive, know that relations between the U.S. and Nicaragua have been strained for years, especially since President Daniel Ortega cracked down on mass street protests in 2018. Should. At the time, Nicaraguans were angry about the Social Security Reform Act. The government imposed a 5% tax on old-age and disability pensions and increased the premiums paid by both employees and employers.
Local protesters believed the increase was being used as petty cash for the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). Protests against these new charges resulted in over 300 deaths and 2,000 injuries. The victim of the violence was as young as 16 years old (i.e. Reitin Chavarria).
In August 2023, the U.S. State Department imposed visa restrictions on an additional 100 Nicaraguan officials for their role in supporting the Ortega government. Mr. Ortega had already jailed dozens of opposition politicians as he sought to win a fourth consecutive term in a rough 2021 election. He also outlawed dozens of non-governmental organizations.
Is Nicaragua safe for tourists and solo travelers?
U.S. citizens, including dual Nicaraguan-U.S. citizens, are subject to revocation of Nicaraguan citizenship, ban on re-entry, and expulsion. Travelers are being screened for their mobile phones, computers and documents that may contain “anti-government” content. Nicaragua also restricts taking photos of government property and sometimes confiscates equipment.
Whether you’re traveling in a group or solo, day trips are fine. However, by traveling at night, carrying large amounts of cash, and not researching carefully before getting into a taxi, you are putting yourself at risk. Also, no matter how friendly the place is or strangers, avoid offering alcohol. For women, sexual harassment can also be an issue, so dress modestly. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that from August 2019 to December 2020, domestic abuse, violence against women, and femicide (locally defined as the “killing of women in the public or private sphere”) reported an increase in the incidence of .
Common scams to watch out for in Nicaragua
As the end of parole programs nears, common scammers are targeting people hoping to resolve their immigration issues. According to the Miami Herald, a web of online schemes run by scammers offers paid services to help people fill out free applications, secure sponsors and speed up the application process. A family happily reunited in the United States is captivating.
Tourists can be victims of fake tour guides (especially on Ometepe Island, ironically referred to as an “oasis of peace”), fake police, poor taxi conditions, and pickpockets (commonly seen on hot chicken buses). there is. And no matter how cute the kids are, it’s not uncommon for them to be chased for money if they carry around palm leaves or offer to offer flowers or crickets. Sympathetic tourists can also be extorted from local residents who say they need financial help for sick family members.
Credit card fraud is also a problem, so only use ATMs located at banks or in crowded areas. If a criminal is in a carrier, they usually have a weapon, so if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist.
How to stay safe in Nicaragua
Travelers who choose to visit Nicaragua anyway should make sure their passport is valid and that they have plans to leave immediately. Avoid demos. Driving in crowds or near barricades. Please be extremely careful when walking or driving at night. If you are used to traveling with luxurious luggage and expensive watches and jewelry, avoid when visiting this place. Keep your profile modest and have accessible cash, drinking water, fuel, and adequate food.
Managua has international and high quality hospitals, the Central Hospital and the Metropolitano Hospital. Travelers are required to pay for treatment, as costs are lower than in the United States or Europe. Many providers accept credit cards or work with insurance companies, but some have reported requiring cash.
Accommodation in Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, parks are strategically built to accommodate tourists and visitors. The country also has approximately 78 nature reserves, covering approximately 8,108 miles (approximately 13,049 km) of the country. But are campgrounds the safest places? Places like San Juan del Sur are considered safer than others, and camping is allowed along the coast, but here Petty theft and pickpocketing continue to be a problem. Avoid unsupervised hiking trails and evening beach walks completely.
Best time to visit Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a place you can visit all year round because it never snows or gets unbearably cold. However, if you don’t like rainy days, avoid the rainy season from June to October. The advantage of the “green season” (the nickname for this rainy season) is less crowds and cheaper fares. The dry season from November to May is sunny and sunny with average temperatures ranging from 77 to 82 degrees. However, expect to spend a few more dollars.
people also ask
Is Nicaragua a rich or poor country?In addition to being susceptible to droughts and hurricanes, approximately 30% of Nicaragua’s population lived below the poverty line. From 2020 to 2022, 17.8% of the population was malnourished and more than 8% lived in extreme poverty. The second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the country’s unemployment rate reached nearly 6% in 2021, and its gross domestic product per capital in the same year was $2,100.
What is Nicaragua’s typical food? With indigenous, African, and Spanish influences, this restaurant serves gallo pinto (rice and red beans), nacatamal (meat tamales), and pinolillo (ground and toasted corn). and cacao drinks), it’s a place where foodies can get a little bit of everything.
Should I still travel here?
Nicaragua may be one of the vacation destinations to put down your pen for now, as concerns about the protesters and government’s current state of affairs grow. But if you’re a travel enthusiast and know how to guide locals trying to target tourists, you might be fine. Travel during the day. Stay away from night spots. Enjoy food, culture and recreational activities. However, be very careful with important documents (particularly passports, driver’s licenses, and cash) and plan ahead to secure emergency exits if necessary.
