Nicaragua Travel Forum

I've travelled in Guatemala and Belize, but am a little worried about stories I've heard about kidnapping, rape and even murder in Nicaragua. Have you found it to be a really dangerous place? My boyfriend and I are planning to travel there in the end of June. I've heard Managua is especially bad and that's where we will be flying into. Is it easy to get out of this city safely? Any recommendations on how to do so? I'd really appreciate any advice! Looking forward to this trip but don't want to be an idiot, either.

Statistically Nicaragua is the safest place in Central America for travelers. Keep in mind however that it is also the poorest country in Latin America aside from Haiti so there is certainly violent crime to go around. Managua is a big Central American city and like all of them, offers little to the traveler and isnt particularly worthwhile to stick around in. Luckily, Granada is a beautiful colonial city and is only about 45 minutes-1 hour away from Managua. You can certaintly look into shuttle services that run from the airport directly to Granada- I highly recommend the Oasis Hostel in Granada and you may wish to contact them for reservations and to see if they have a shuttle service for a fee. If not, you can take a cab from the airport (in daylight) to the Universidad Centroamericana and across from it there are microbuses with A/c that leave for Granada every 30 mins (a cheap way to arrive). If you arrive at night, you may want to look into booking a private shuttle into Granada ahead of time and being willing to pay the higher price to do so.
In any case, if you are your boyfriend stick together, don't act like giant tourists that have no idea what is going on and use common sense, you should be fine. I wandered around Granada's centre in day and early evenings alone and felt quite safe and was never bothered by anyone - if anything, I easily met and interacted with the local children (they loved having their picture taken) and locals and expats hanging around the Central Square. Granada and Leon are fantastic, as well as Ometepe. I have heard that San Juan del Sur can be a bit sketchy so be extra vigilant if you head there. Rule of thumb is to not carry credit cards, passport or huge amount of cash on your person; take only what you need for the day and I like to tuck it into my bra just to make it harder for pickpockets. That way if you are robbed, you don't lose everything (and if you are held up, try to stay calm and give up the goods without a fight- this increases your chances of not getting hurt). Keep your valuables locked up in a safe- most hospedajes and hostels will have this available.

The first time I travelled alone in Nicaragua was in 2006. After reading all the horror stories about kidnapping, murder and so I was not really afraid but felt a little unsafe. Then I was swearing blood the night I arrived at Managua airport and a driver from the language school drove me to Granada in a new big car. It was at about 10 pm. and on the carretera to Granada there was an accident. A lot of people came running to look and my driver left the car with keys and door open and went to look too. I thought that in every minute I would be be kidnapped with the car. Nothing happend.
Then I travelled for 5 weeks a big part of the country, except Carribean Coast, and felt secure every single day. I lived sometimes with Nica families in Granada and on a farm in the northern part of the country. I met so many lovely people, and sometimes I hardly saw any foreigner.
I had a moneybelt and while travelling I had my passport and tickets in it. I just had a small backpack that I tried to keep with me but when the microbus was to full they put on the roof. When just walking the town I had a small amount of money with me and also some cordobas in my bra.
In July I will go back to Nicaragua with my teenage son, and I can’t wait. And this time I will also go to Managua. I don’t supose that they are just waiting to rob me. When I read Swiss newspapers I supose that there is even more crime in Switzerland than in Nicaragua.

Qops, my english! It should mean sweating blood instead of swearing.
Jacqueline

Thanks -- that's all very helpful!