Nicaragua Overview

Nicaragua, known as the “land of lakes and volcanoes,” is a dream come true for many travelers: a tropical paradise largely undiscovered by tourists, complete with picturesque colonial towns, spectacular natural phenomena, and a vibrant, welcoming population. At peace for more than a decade, Nicaragua is shedding its reputation from the Contra War of the 1980s, and you’ll find that outside the messy urban jungle of Managua, the country clearly deserves recognition as one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on the continent.

Though Nicaragua is the most populous country in Central America (with 5.5 million people), its land mass (also largest in the region) makes it one of the least densely populated. More than 90% of citizens live in the Pacific lowlands and less than 15% of its territory. Unfortunately, it also remains the poorest country in the region, in part due to political unrest over the past few decades, and also because of the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Mitch in November 1998. As the tourism industry is practically nonexistent in many parts of the country, exploration requires initiative and courage. Volcanoes on the Pacific coast, beaches on the Caribbean, and tracts of rainforest dwarf even Costa Rica’s park system, and yet remain largely untouched. Those willing to leave the tourist trail and tolerate fewer amenities will find Nicaraguan destinations extremely rewarding.

• Planning Your Trip

Passports, Visas, And Customs. Passport. Required of all visitors. Must be valid for a full 6 months after arrival. Visa . Not required of citizens from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia ...more

• Cultural Essentials

From Indigenous To Independent (Pre-Columbian–Ad 1838) . Before the arrival of the Spanish, three distinct cultural groups inhabited the territory known today as Nicaragua: the Niquirano , the Chorotega ...more

• Beyond Tourism

Building New Hope, 106 Overton Lane, Pittsburgh, USA (☎ 412-421-1625; www.buildingnewhope.org). Volunteers must be able to commit to the organization for at least a month, and should have an intermediate ...more