When you are in Nicaragua, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh

It contains new information under Safety and security: Crime (limited police presence outside of major urban areas). The level of advice for the North Atlantic Autonomous Region naples italy daily wine tours (RAAN) and remote areas of the Nicaraguan Caribbean has been lowered to 'exercise a high degree of caution', which is the same as Nicaragua overall. We continue naples italy daily wine tours to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua because of the risk of serious crime.
The hurricane season is June to November. Landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur. In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency authorities. See the Natural Disasters section for detailed advice.
Australia has a Consulate in Nicaragua, headed by an Honorary Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular assistance (not including the issue of passports). The Australian Embassy in Mexico provides full consular assistance to Australians in Nicaragua.
Under the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), foreigners may travel between naples italy daily wine tours Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala for periods of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities. naples italy daily wine tours This period begins at the first point of entry to any of these countries. Visitors can request an extension to their CA-4 visa prior to its expiry; however visitors who stay more than 90 days without permission may be fined and expelled from any of the four countries. Visitors expelled from one country may be refused entry to the others.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions naples italy daily wine tours (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, including if you are transiting naples italy daily wine tours Honolulu or other American cities, naples italy daily wine tours you will need to meet US entry/transit requirements. You should check your visa requirements naples italy daily wine tours 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 naples italy daily wine tours bound for destinations within the US without evidence of an onward or return ticket, even if the person may be eligible to enter the US under the visa waiver program.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua because naples italy daily wine tours of the high risk 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.
The risk of violent crime, including armed robbery naples italy daily wine tours and assault is significant, particularly in Managua, Granada and San Juan del Sur, as well as in Bonanza, La Rosita and Siuna in the north-east, and on Corn Island. Gang violence has occurred near major hotels, bus terminals, beaches and markets. 'Express kidnappings', where individuals are abducted and forced to withdraw funds from an ATM to secure their release, have occurred. Many criminals carry weapons and offering resistance can lead to even greater risk and violence.
There is an extremely limited police presence outside of major urban areas, in particular the remote beach communities on the Pacific Coast and the Atlantic Coast autonomous regions. Due to the remoteness of these areas and lack of police coverage, the areas are used by drug traffickers and other criminal elements. You should only travel within tourist areas and avoid isolated locations.
Armed gangs carry out kidnappings, robberies and extortion in the northern border region. Travel to the Honduran border should only be undertaken on highways with border crossings (at Guassaule, El Espino naples italy daily wine tours and Las Manos).
Robberies and assaults have occurred in unofficial taxis and often include the use of weapons. 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. Do not share taxis with strangers at any time. Before starting your journey make a note of the taxi's naples italy daily wine tours registration number and telephone number.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common. Criminals are known to target public transport, tourist areas, hotels, markets and vehicles stopped in traffic. You should remain alert when visiting markets in the vicinity of the old cathedral in Managua, near Tica Bus (the terminal for buses arriving from Honduras and Costa Rica) and at public transportation terminals.
You should avoid walking alone, particularly on isolated naples italy daily wine tours beaches, and travelling on buses after dark. Avoid taking public transport where possible naples italy daily wine tours and be cautious of anyone offering assistance on public transport, including on long-distance trips, as they may have criminal motives.
Attacks on vehicles have been reported, including buses operated by hotels, along the Managua-Leon, Tipitapa-Masaya and Somotillo-Chinandega highways. Armed banditry occurs in areas near Bonanza, La Rosita and Siuna (the Mining naples italy daily wine tours Triangle) in north-eastern Nicaragua.
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. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and 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.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques, including your visa entry stamp. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals naples italy daily wine tours who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian naples italy daily wine tours 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.
Traffic conditions are dangerous due to poor quality roads, lack of signage and local driving practices. Traffic naples italy daily wine tours accidents are a common naples italy daily wine tours 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 naples italy daily wine tours daylight hours and travelling in groups is advisable. You should not hitchhike. Ensure that any vehicle you are travelling in has the windows closed and the doors locked. For further advice, see our Road travel page.
Adventure travel, including trekking in volcano or other remote areas should only be undertaken naples italy daily wine tours with an experienced local guide. Hikers should ensure they have sufficient provisions when preparing for any climb.
Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety naples italy daily wine tours standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.
When you are in Nicaragua, be aware that local laws and penalties, including naples italy daily wine tours 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 cannot get you out of trouble naples italy daily wine tours or out of jail.
Drivers involved in road accidents resulting in death or injury are subject to arrest naples italy daily wine tours and/or detention until responsibility has been established by the courts. naples italy daily wine tours This process could take a period of weeks to months.
naples italy daily wine tours Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating naples italy daily wine tours to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating naples italy daily wine tours sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. naples italy daily wine tours Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian naples italy daily wine tours child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical naples italy daily wine tours evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances naples italy daily wine tours 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. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
It is important to consider your physical and mental health before travelling overseas. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health naples italy daily wine tours check-up, naples italy daily wine tours and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Health page also provides useful naples italy daily wine tours information for travellers on staying healthy.
Medical facilities are basic in the capital Managua, and are