Coronavirus & Travel to Nicaragua (Updated July 1, 2022)
(Video is from last year - updated info below)
Updated November 11, 2021:
Nicaragua now only requires travellers to provide proof of vaccination, or if unvaccinated a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Nicaragua.
Hey everyone!
We’ve had a ton of questions lately on topics related to Covid 19 and Nicaragua. So here’s a breakdown on what coronavirus means for the country at the moment. From current rules on flying in and out, the land border, the state of the virus here at the moment and in country restrictions to future trends.
I have a another article on related info from November 2021 you can see here.
Given the ongoing nature of this theme, and my desire to update this article in the future, I’ve gone with a point-by-point style as opposed to my traditional blogs. I hope it’s still interesting for you, as well as informative.
Avianca has regular passenger service
What is it like flying in and out right now?
Avianca, Copa and Aeromexico have daily flights into Managua
You can see the daily arrivals and departures at the Managua airport at FlightRadar24.com
Westjet, Alaska, United, Delta, American, and United are flying into the Liberia airport in Costa Rica near the Nicaraguan border. I can connect you with a shuttle company that can bring you right to San Juan Del Sur
You can see the daily arrivals and departures at the Liberia airport at FlightRadar24.com
You do not need a Covid test to enter Costa Rica but must buy at least 5 days of insurance even if coming right to Nica. Its about $11 per day
The Nicaraguan government is requiring a negative (clean) Covid test to enter via land or air
They require the PCR version of the test
The test must be taken 72 hours or less before the time you are scheduled to land in Managua
You must send a copy of the negative result via email to the airline 36 hours or more before boarding the flight to Nicaragua
You’ll need a printed paper copy of the of test with you when flying, which you will show to people from MINSA (health department) on arrival , or to show at the land border
Other than that paper the entry into the country is normal when you arrive here
The land borders & flying in via Costa Rica
The land border is now open to and from Costa Rica
You can fly into either San Jose or Liberia in Costa Rica and then travel by road to the land border at Penas Blanca to enter Nicaragua
The Covid-19 test is not required to enter Costa Rica
But you do require insurance for the time you are in Costa Rica.
You can buy that from Grupo INS and Sagicor and then verify it’s been accepted by emailing the Costa Rican government at seguros@ict.go.cr
You’ll also have to complete the Health Pass form from the Costa Rican government 48 hours or less before your arrival
You will still require a Covid test to enter Nicaragua, taken within 72 hours or less before entry into Nicaragua. You can take that test in Liberia, Costa Rica at the Metropolitan Hospital
Current State of Covid in Nicaragua
The Military Hospital in Managua, where my wife studied to be a doctor
According to official statistics there are 207 dead and 16,887 total cases as of November 11, 2021
However, as I’ll go into below, the country doesn’t have the testing capacity to have a clear idea of how many cases there really are.
There are certainly many more cases, especially asymptomatic individuals and those with low to moderate severity
The hospitals are not overwhelmed
The special Covid centers set up have been returned to normal hospital facilities
A large part of the reason for the lower impact here in my opinion is the younger population cohort
Below is a chart comparing the population pyramids of Nicaragua and the US
Percentage of population by age group in Nicaragua vs the US. Source: PopulationPyramid.net
Only 4.6% of Nicaraguans are over the age of 65, versus 15.2% in the United States
Life expectancy has increased dramatically in recent decades to 74.4 years, but was lower in the mid 20th Century
Also as a Catholic country large families are still common, meaning lots of young people
The risk of hospitalization and serious complication increase with age, as can be seen in the following chart from the CDC:
Source: The American Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The conclusion I draw is that given risk goes up with age, and Nicaragua’s population cohort is heavily weighted to the younger end of the spectrum, we see much less severity in the outbreak
In addition Nicaragua does not have a culture of nursing homes. Most elderly people live with their families, also decreasing the risk of rapid spread among high risk groups
The current living situation in the country:
I spent all summer surfing lots at Playa Remanso. Unlike Costa Rica our beaches were always open
Masks are not mandatory in most places, and use varies
They are generally more common in the larger cities, and much more likely to be mandatory in Managua. Which makes sense given the dense population
Masks are mandatory in: government offices, banks, and major chain stores like the malls
Some private businesses may also require them. Most though do not any more at the time of writing
There are no lockdowns or mandates
The government suggests social distancing, masks in public places, and common sense use of hand washing and sanitizing but there are no orders, lockdowns or curfews
Public schools are operating and, all businesses are open
Bars and restaurants in San Juan Del Sur are open and mask free
Life is 95% normal here.
Testing in the country:
Official tests are available for a fee from MINSA, the government health authority, in Managua for $150. For people flying to other countries with a testing requirement
The country does not have a lot of testing capacity, so only people flying out, or those with moderate to severe symptoms or those requiring hospitalization are getting tested
Vaccines:
The Nicaraguan government has stated they have set aside $110 million USD for the purchase of vaccines in 2021 (Source in Spanish)
It will likely be available for those in high risk groups starting in mid 2021, via the countries public health system
Nicaragua does not have vaccine mandates, so the vaccine will not be mandatory.
So you can get it if you want, and choose not to if you don’t
Conclusions:
Nicaragua has fared significantly better with Covid than most other places, owing to a combination of demographic, geographic and socio-cultural factors
Travel in and out is possible via airline or entry from Costa Rica, the only challenge is timing the Covid test
If you’re coming, and in a high risk group, you’ll need to be more personally responsible for yourself as the government does not have mandates, lockdowns, curfews etc
That being said, if you are looking for more of a free, outdoor, beach type of life, this is a phenomenal place to be
Real estate sales have been excellent for people who work remotely, or are retired, and want to get out of lockdown life and onto the beach. Prices are great and there is solid demand, so I would expect that to continue.
Cheers,
Joel Stott-Jess
Cell / WhatsApp: (+505) 8176 8624
US Number: 1 786 753 8743
Skype: joelstottjess
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur.
Originally from Alberta, Canada he has been doing business in Nicaragua since 2014.
An investment consultant, serial entrepreneur, surfer, and outdoor enthusiast he is an expert on the real estate and business markets in Nicaragua. He also operates The Central Investor, a real estate and investment blog focused on the entire Central American region.
Thanks to his lovely Nicaraguan wife, a medical doctor, he is also well informed on health care services in the country.
