Nicaragua Money

The currency chart above is based on August 2009 exchange rates. The Nicaraguan unit of currency is the córdoba (C). There are 100 centavos to one córdoba. Colloquially, córdobas are sometimes referred to as pesos and 10 centavos are referred to as one real . Coins come in 1 and 5 córdoba pieces. Large bills are hard to break. US dollars are usually accepted and welcome at larger banks, hotels, stores, and even street vendors or markets. Changing dollars to córdobas is never a problem, and most banks will exchange at the official rate. Nicaragua’s coyotes, guys on street corners with a calculator in one hand and a wad of bills in the other, will also change dollars at comparable rates. This is technically illegal. Though the black market is usually not dangerous, Let’s Go does not recommend you interact with coyotes. Avoid changing currency at night, and make sure bills are genuine.

Many Nicaraguan cities have at least one bank that changes traveler’s checks. Watch out for long lines, forms, and service charges. Most hotels and restaurants do not accept traveler’s checks, though some take credit cards. Coyotes

are less willing to change traveler’s checks than cash. Most cities have Western Union offices, but some still route their orders by phone to Managua, sometimes with a one-day delay. ATMs are found in Managua and most other big cities. ATMs are linked to Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Cirrus. There’s no withdrawal charge, but there is a 2000C maximum withdrawal per day. Tipping policies vary—use discretion. For more info, see Tipping and Bargaining.

Our researchers list establishments in order of value from best to worst, honoring our favorites with the Let’s Go thumbpick ( ). Because the cheapest price is not always the best value, we have incorporated a system of price ranges based on a rough expectation of what you will spend. For accommodations, we base our range on the cheapest price for which a single traveler can stay for one night. For restaurants, we estimate the average amount one traveler will spend in one sitting. The following table tells you what you’ll typically find in Panama at the corresponding price range, but keep in mind that no system can allow for the quirks of individual establishments.

Under C118 (Under US$6)Hammocks and rented mattresses in some hostels; you’ll be providing the sheets. C118-237 (US$6-12)Dorms at hostels in tourist-heavy areas and single rooms in lower-end family hotels. Bathrooms are usually shared. C257-395 (US$13-20)Nicer family hotels and some singles at larger hotels. You should definitely expect a private bathroom, and amenities such as cable TV and complimentary breakfast. ; possibly phone access or Wi-Fi. Over C890 (Over US$45)Large, upscale hotels and chains. This should be the best of the best. Sizeable rooms, big beds, and all the perks you could want.

Accommodations	Range	What You’Re Likely To Find

Costs

Accommodations in Nicaragua are notably more expensive than those in other parts of Central America. While basic rooms and dorms can certainly be found for under 100C, more safe and comfortable lodgings are 150C-200C. Food is cheap, with típico (a standard meal) usually 15C-30C. While the assiduous traveler may be able to scrape by on 200C-300C per day, a safer bet would be 400C-500C, excluding transportation.