The General Tourism Law states that when entering Nicaragua by land, sea or air, each tourist must purchase a Nicaragua Tourist Card.
The card was introduced in 1993 by the old Ministry of Tourism. It had a value of US $5 and was printed as “Valid for 30 days”. The 30 day period was (and still is) the minimum period for those countries requiring a visa.
In 2010, the cost of the tourist card was increased from $5 to $10.
Note; Those entering by land, e.g. Peñas Blancas have a $3 surcharge added to the US $10 fee. (the $3 is not charged to those entering by air).
Confusion with 30 Day Validity.
From time to time, the wording on the back of this card causes panic for an unsuspecting “Visa Exempt” tourist. They notice (usually after leaving the border area) that the card appears to be only “Valid for 30 Days” from the day of entry, not the 90 days they were expecting.
Those who immediately check their passport stamp are comforted by the “90 days” written over the corner of the entry stamp by the Migración official.
It’s a classic Nicaraguan anomaly and the first one that you might come across as a new visitor to Nicaragua.
Immigration
The confusion is somewhat compounded by the fact that the person who collected your fee for the tourist card was an immigration official and probably the same person who swiped your passport into the computer and also stamped it with your 90 day stamp.
The tourist card fee is collected by Migración on behalf of INTUR.
It’s not part of the Migración system per se. However, Migración has been deemed as the authority that will collect the fee from each tourist entering the country. It made sense to utilize the front line Migración staff checking tourists as they enter Nicaragua, rather than have a member of another government department or agency at each border post and/or airport adding to the process. As such, Migración receives a percentage of the revenue collected on behalf of INTUR.
In a previous Nica Biz article entitled Fees and Fines for Migración Nicaragua you will find a link to the “Complete List of Migración Fees and Fines for All Categories” which is a copy of the new dollarized tariff of fines and fees. In support of the facts regarding the tourist card not being a Migración document, you will not find a reference to the tourist card fees nor any penalties in the list.
Passport Stamp
According to Nicaraguan Immigration Law, for a visitor or tourist, your last passport stamp is your proof of your legal status in Nicaragua. It can be requested by Migración, Police or the Military and you must show the original passport and stamp.
Take Away
The Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners (DGMI), commonly known as Migración is the authority that controls the flow of foreigners in and out of Nicaragua.
INTUR (The Nicaraguan Tourism Institute) is an agency of the government that promotes tourism and is funded in part by the fees it collects from the tourist card.
Your original passport entry stamp is your proof of your legal visitor status in Nicaragua so make sure you check it as soon as they hand your passport back.
The tourist card fee is a one-time payment every time you enter Nicaragua at any border post, airport or port as a visitor or tourist. No matter how many days the stamp in your passport says. The only card is the one they issue.
