Naturally a lot of people thinking about travel to Nicaragua have concerns about Covid-19 and often ask; What’s it like down there? Here are some in-country observations for those wanting to visit. No politics, no sides, just how I see it.
The short answer is that if you’re not causing a potential risk to other people, then you can go about your daily business and activities here with little or no restrictions. For the most part, everyone is free to choose their own personal protection plan that suits their level of concern. There are no curfews, lockdowns or regulations on walking a deserted beach, going to the gym or to your favorite restaurant.
The regulations are; self-regulate as much as you like and respect others doing the same.
Obviously places where people gather in a more confined area have controls. Most of the larger corporations (e.g. banks, shopping malls, PriceSmart and Walmart) likely had policies and procedures in place ready to be implemented in the event that a Covid-19 type of event came along.
The larger businesses have a security guard ensuring you are wearing a mask, making you go through the disinfectant tray to clean your shoes (barefoot travelers take note!). They also check your temperature, spray your hands with disinfectant and/or point you to the sanitary station prior to entering the business. Some limit the amount of people in the premises at any one time and many have clearly marked spots for social distancing.
Most public institutions are the same. If people have to go about their business then access maybe restricted but not prevented.
That is not to say that the corner stores (Pulperías) in Nicaragua haven’t also responded with their own measures, some just as strict as the big guys. In fact, one could argue that standing outside of the local store being served through a small hatch in a door or window (covered in clear plastic) is far more severe.
However, each of them operates to their own level of comfort and each exercises their right to work and support their family. For most of them, there is no alternative to that.
There are maskers and non-maskers. They used to get into lively debates about wearing them. Now you see some of them stop and talk to each other, or not as the case maybe.
Public transport cannot be avoided for the vast majority of Nicaraguans but can be for concerned visitors when they travel to Nicaragua. Sitting in a “colectivo taxi” taking a shared ride with three strangers (plus the driver) or sitting inside a full bus with vendors brushing past you may be beyond the comfort level of a lot of visitors. The good news is that there are plenty of private transport companies or one man operators that understand your concerns and will get you around the country safely.
A Quick Word on the Rules on Getting Here (and Home Again)
Right now to travel to Nicaragua, Avianca is the only airline providing a regular scheduled service (not charter) into Nicaragua, serving Aeropuerto Internacional Augusto C. Sandino – MGA. They have some detailed rules for passengers, check out this link, based on the requirements of the MINSA (Nicaragua Ministry of Health) Resolution No. 358-2020 and the INAC (National Civil Aviation Institute) Resolution No. 0172020.
All passengers must have a negative result to a Real Time PCR Test that was taken no more than 72 hours before entering Nicaragua. This result has to be submitted in pdf format to Avianca no less than 36 hours before your flight.
Finally, keep updated with the rules from your own country regarding returning from Nicaragua and what you need to do. Here is a link on getting a PCR test in Nicaragua if you need one to fly home. At the time of posting this, there is only one location in Managua serving the entire country.
