Questions regarding entry requirements for Nicaragua are routinely asked on social media as travelers inquire about any further changes or relaxation of the rules.
“Tis the Season” for more people to be travelling. Here in Nicaragua all eyes are on the scheduled increase in flights to Nicaragua at the end of this month. American Airlines and Spirit are both scheduled to return to Managua with direct flights from Miami.
Nothing has changed since June 2022, however here are the facts relating to Covid 19 entry requirements for Nicaragua in one post and at the time of publication.
Covid 19
On June 16th 2022, Nicaragua followed other Central American countries and eliminated the blanket requirement for PCR testing in favor of visitors (and nationals) producing their Vaccination Card showing that they have been “Properly Vaccinated”. (Scroll down for Un-Vaccinated Visitors)
The Ministry of Health (known by their acronym MINSA) announced that the Vaccination Card must show a “Complete Vaccination Scheme” has been administered to the visitor. In other words, a single or double dose depending on the particular vaccine’s dosage requirement.
Booster shots are not counted and do not form part of this regulation.
Authorized Vaccines and Proof
The vaccines (authorized by The World Health Organization – WHO) and registered for use in Nicaragua are;
Single Dose; Janssen (also known as Johnson & Johnson) and Sputnik Light
Double Dose; Sputnik V, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZenica, Covishield, Soberna 02, Abdala, Sinopharm and Coviran.
Also acceptable to Nicaragua are vaccination cards showing that the two shots are a combination of two different brand names.
In addition, the Vaccination card can be presented in a hard copy or digital format.
Un-Vaccinated Visitors
Under the June 2022 “Resolution”, children or adults that are un-vaccinated will have to provide a negative PCR-RT test as they did under the old system (tested no more than 72 hours prior to entry).
As a general rule, Nicaragua has never exempted anyone by age from testing. The June 22nd 2022 MINSA resolution clearly states; “Children or adults that are un-vaccinated will have to provide a negative PCR test result from a test taken no more than 72 hours prior to entry to Nicaragua.
Recovering from Covid-19
The most lively social media discussions seems to be caused by inquiries from un-vaccinated visitors who are recovering from a recent bout of the virus and who may still test positive (but won’t know until they are tested no more than 72 hours from entry to Nicaragua).
From day one, Nicaragua has never introduced a policy on those recovering from Covid-19 and who may or may not have a ‘Documentation of Recovery’ (a letter from a healthcare provider stating that they are cleared for travel).
As it stands right now the entry requirements for Nicaragua in relation to Covid-19 pandemic continue to be a valid vaccination card or a negative PCR test.
The Nicaraguan Tourism Institute INTUR June 17, 2022 announcement.
