This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security : Civil Unrest/Political Tension (continuing violence in Nicaragua following the 9 November municipal elections). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Municipal elections took place on Sunday 9 November 2008. Violent protests (including rock throwing and the use of tear gas and rubber bullets) have occurred following these elections. Dozens have been injured. The situation remains fluid. You should avoid all demonstrations, political rallies and large public gatherings and monitor the media for new information about safety and security risks.

Demonstrators have set up road blocks, often with little warning. Public transport and traffic can be disrupted. You should not attempt to cross road blocks.

There are boundary disputes in the Caribbean coastal waters between Nicaragua and neighbouring Honduras. Boats and fishing vessels have been detained and impounded. The Atlantic coastal area of Nicaragua is a known transit zone for illegal drugs.

Crime

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. We recommend that you do not discuss your travel plans with strangers or in public areas. Avoid non-essential travel at night.

Violent crime, including armed robbery, assault and sexual assault, is prevalent, particularly in the capital city of Managua and on Corn Island. Gang violence has occurred near major hotels, bus terminals and markets. 'Express kidnappings', where individuals are abducted and forced to withdraw funds from an ATM to secure their release, are becoming increasingly common. Crime targeted at foreigners has increased in Granada and San Juan del Sur.

Robberies and assaults have occurred in unofficial taxis. We recommend you use official taxis, which have a clearly visible red number plate or radio despatched taxis, which are available at the International Airport and larger hotels.

Armed gangs carry out kidnappings, robberies and extortion in the northern border region.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common. Criminals are known to target public transport, tourist areas, markets and stopped vehicles. You should avoid walking alone, particularly on isolated beaches, and travelling on buses after dark.

Thieves posing as tour guides, particularly on the Island of Ometepe, have robbed travellers. You should use well-known, reputable tour operators.

Credit card fraud is reportedly on the increase. Be vigilant when using your credit card.

North Atlantic Autonomous Region/North-Eastern Nicaragua/Central-Northern Nicaragua: We strongly advise you not to travel to the following regions because of ongoing military operations against armed criminal groups in these areas:

• the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN), particularly Bonanza, La Rosita and Siuna (the mining triangle);
• remote areas of the Nicaraguan Caribbean coast;
• North-Eastern Nicaragua.

Travel to the Honduran border should be undertaken only on highways with border crossings (at Guasaute, El Espino and Los Manos), due to criminal activity in parts of Northern Nicaragua.

Local Travel

Traffic conditions are dangerous due to poor quality roads, lack of signage and local driving practices. Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Vehicles involved in an accident should not be moved until authorised by a police officer. Travel should only be undertaken during daylight hours and travelling in groups is advisable. Hitchhiking is not recommended. Ensure that any vehicle you are travelling in has the windows closed and the doors locked. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

There are unmarked landmines in the northern border region which pose a significant danger if you venture off the main roads.

Power blackouts in all parts of the country are becoming more frequent. Blackouts can be expected for up to five hours a day, especially during the dry season from July to August.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Hurricanes: The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services may occur. In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

If you are travelling during hurricane season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning. You can check the latest hurricane information at the National Hurricane Center website.

In the event of an approaching hurricane, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The hurricane could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. Passport, picture ID's, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.

Landslides and flash flooding may occur throughout the year. Information on hurricanes or other severe weather conditions can be obtained from the National Hurricane and Tropical Prediction Center, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency or the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

Santiago Volcano, approximately 25km south of Managua, is active. San Cristobal and Cerro Negro volcanoes are also active. We strongly advise you against hiking near volcanoes or in other remote areas without the services of an experienced guide.

Nicaragua is located in an active earthquake zone.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and warden’s advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. There are relatively low daily withdrawal limits from ATMs in Nicaragua. The US dollar (cash and traveller’s cheques) is the only foreign currency freely exchangeable in Nicaragua.

Exercise caution when using ATMs. For security reasons we advise you to use ATMs available at banks and in shopping centres.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Nicaragua, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences are severe, including heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Nicaragua.

It is illegal to photograph official buildings in Nicaragua. You should check with local authorities before taking photographs.

Drivers involved in road accidents resulting in death or injury are subject to arrest and/or detention until responsibility has been established by the courts. This process could take a period of weeks to months.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Information for Dual Nationals

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

In June 2006 Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala signed the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4). Under the agreement travellers may travel between signature countries without completing exit and entry formalities for periods up to 90 days. This period begins at the first point of entry of any of the CA-4 countries.

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Nicaragua for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for travellers arriving in Nicaragua from Yellow Fever endemic countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a list of countries in which Yellow Fever is endemic.

If you are travelling to Nicaragua through the United States of America (USA), including if you are transiting Honolulu or other American cities, you will need to meet USA entry/transit requirements. You should check your visa requirements the nearest US Embassy or Consulate well in advance of travel. See also our travel advice for the United States of America.

Airlines may not accept passengers bound for destinations within the US without evidence of an onward or return ticket, even if the person may be eligible to enter the USA under the visa waiver program.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities are basic in the capital Managua, and are very limited in smaller towns and rural areas. Doctors and hospitals may require cash payment prior to providing treatment. Emergency ambulance services and certain types of medical equipment, medications and treatments are not available in Nicaragua. Serious medical emergencies may require evacuation, at considerable cost, to the USA where the cost of medical treatment is very high.

Malaria is a risk in rural areas throughout Nicaragua, including the outskirts of Managua. Dengue fever is endemic in Nicaragua. There have been reported cases of cholera and leptospirosis. Other insect-borne diseases (including Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis) are also a risk to travellers, particularly during the wet season (April to November). We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We recommend you discuss your vaccination requirements with your doctor before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Nicaragua. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Mexico:

Australian Embassy
Ruben Dario 55
Col. Polanco, C.P.
11560 Mexico D.F. MEXICO
Telephone (52 55) 1101 2200
Facsimile (52 55) 1101 2201
Email: embaustmex@yahoo.com.mx

If you are travelling to Nicaragua, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency-whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 626