Introduction to Nicaragua

Quick Overview

After Mexico, Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. Like its neighbors, it consists of a central mountain range with high valleys and, on both coasts, plains, lakes (Managua, Nicaragua, etc.), and rivers. The plains on the Pacific side are surrounded by volcanoes and are the most fertile and by far the most populated. On the Caribbean side (the "Mosquito Coast"), jungles, savannas, and numerous waterways make the area quite inhospitable, with very few roads and a very sparse population, except for a few small coastal towns.

As is often the case in the region, a large part of the population lives primarily from agriculture, which, along with mining and remittances from the diaspora, represents the country's main source of wealth. Having experienced a rather turbulent history and several natural disasters in recent decades, Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries on the American continent, to the extent that many Nicaraguans are still exiled in neighboring Costa Rica or the United States. Nevertheless, things might change one day with the gradual development of tourism and, above all, a project like the Nicaragua Canal, which is expected to be completed around 2020 and should be a significant source of revenue for the country and, hopefully, its people.

Key Facts

Location: in the heart of Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica.

Latitude/longitude: 13.00' N, 85.00' W.

Local time: Heure : 3169

Capital: Managua.

Nature of the state: presidential republic.

Official language: Spanish.

Currency: Córdoba.

Population: 6,085,213 inhabitants (2018).

Area: 130,370 km².

Density: 47 inhabitants/km².

Highest point: Mogotón (2,438 m).

Lowest point: sea level.

Coastline: 910 km.

Driving side: on the right.

Flag: [drapeau: Nicaragua]

Tourism

If there is one place that has seen strong tourism development in recent years, it is Nicaragua. Although still visited half as much as its Costa Rican neighbor, the country now rivals destinations like Guatemala, and this from a standing start in tourism less than twenty years ago.

Despite still limited air connections, especially from Europe, improving infrastructure, and a complete lack of pre-Columbian ruins, the country still attracts the curious with its off-the-beaten-path nature and adventure, as well as its superb colonial heritage and proximity to Costa Rica, which also brings many passing visitors. In short, Nicaragua welcomes visitors (1.787 million in 2017), including barely a few thousand French travelers. Even though visitation has increased over the past decade, you can still explore the country peacefully and affordably.

Unfortunately, since mid-2018, the country has experienced an authoritarian shift in power and strong repression of popular protests, which has abruptly halted the country's tourism development.

Travel Essentials

Destination: for beginner travelers.

By air: France-Managua for 600/900 € round trip.

Entry requirements: passport.

Currency to bring: US dollars (and some euros).

Exchange rate:

Backpacker daily budget: 22 to 35 € per person.

Accommodation: mid-range hotels.

Getting around: bus and boat (car occasionally).

Risks: fairly low health risks and low to medium security risks.

Best time for climate/crowds/prices: November to April, avoiding Christmas and Easter.

Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays

Addresses in France

Tourist Office: no representation, available online only.

Latin America House: 217 Bd Saint-Germain, 75007 Paris. Tel.: +33 1 49 54 75 00.

Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec

Socio-Economic Statistics

"Quality of life": 124/188 (2018 ranking)

GDP per capita: $5,900 (2017)

Average monthly income: $150 (2012)

Inflation: +3.9% (2017)

"Official" unemployment: 6.4% (2017)

Population below the poverty line: 29.6% (2015)

Life expectancy: 73.7 years (2018)

Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -2.7 (2017)

Population growth: +0.97% (2018)

Literacy rate: 82.8% (2015)

Urban population: 58.5% (2018)

Press freedom: 90/180 (2018 ranking)

Political regime: authoritarian regime (122/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook