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Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Capital:Managua
Population:6.0M
Currency:Nicaraguan Cordoba (NIO)
Language:Spanish (official)
Nicaragua Street Food Fritanga

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Nicaragua.

Nicaragua Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Nicaraguans enjoy being with other people and are sociable. Honor is important and defended vigorously, sometimes even physically. Personal criticism is taken seriously and should be avoided. Because individuals are considered far more important than schedules, punctuality at meetings may be admired but not strictly observed. Power is highly valued and often sought.

Cultural Attributes

Nicaraguans enjoy the company of other people and are generally sociable. Honor is important and defended vigorously, sometimes even physically. Personal criticism of others should be avoided. Schedules and punctuality at meetings is not strictly observed. Power is highly valued and often sought.

Nicaragua Street Food Fritanga

Volcano's Fire, Freedom's Heart

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

When meeting people one usually shake hands and smiles if they are in friendly terms. One should give another their complete attention when greeting someone. Between female friends, greetings often include a kiss on the cheek and hug.

Most gestures common in Western countries are also acceptable in Nicaragua. However, a fist with the thumb positioned between the index and middle fingers is vulgar.

Visitors are always welcome, as the Nicaraguans are very hospitable people. Dinner guests may take small gifts, such as flowers or candy, to the hosts.

Time off from work is often spent visiting family members. If relatives live too far away to visit regularly, the family might get together every year during Semana Santa. Nicaraguans also enjoy arguing about politics.

Men wear clothes made from washable cotton cord or other lightweight material. Women wear cool, cotton dresses. There are also various traditional costumes worn for special occasions and festivals.

Diet

Beans and rice are eaten with most meals. Corn is an important ingredient in many foods. Typical dishes include tortillas, enchiladas, nacatamales (meat and vegetables, with spices), mondongo (tripe and beef knuckles), and baho (meat, vegetables, and plantain).

Eating is complemented with pleasant conversation. Both hands (not elbows) should remain on or above the table at all times. The main meal is eaten at midday.

Beans and rice are eaten with most meals. Corn is an important ingredient in many foods. Typical dishes include tortillas, enchiladas, nacatamales (meat and vegetables, with spices), mondongo (tripe and beef knuckles), and baho (meat, vegetables, and plantain).

Historic wall in Masaya

Family

Family is the basis of society and influences an individual's life and decision making. A person has two family names.

Dating Customs

A girl formally enters social life at age fifteen. Group dating is common among the youth. Although marriage is a valued institution, some infidelity among men is tolerated.

Recreation

Children enjoy a type of hopscotch called rayuela, games of hide and seek, and playing with a trompo (a toy like a top with a string) or a skipping rope.

Nicaraguans are passionate about baseball. Most communities have a baseball field, and even the poorest children learn to play by improvising with a stick for a bat and a rolled-up sock for a ball. There are several professional baseball teams in Nicaragua, and people follow their progress, as well as that of Latin American and North American leagues. The biggest baseball stadium in Nicaragua is in Managua. It holds 40,000 people.

Many women and girls enjoy playing volleyball and basketball, and some play soccer and baseball as well. Men and boys participate in baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and boxing.

Nicaragua has two long coastlines, the Pacific on the west and the Caribbean on the east, and many people go to the beach for their holidays. Most people take their holidays during the dry season, which lasts from about December to May, depending on the region. Beaches are especially busy during Semana Santa (Holy Week) just before Easter, which is a popular vacation time. People also enjoy camping in the mountains, as well as swimming in volcanic crater lakes.

Other pastimes include games like checkers and, for children, marbles.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/15

    Independence Day

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    The Christmas Season starts with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the night which is termed La Noche de Griteria (The night of the Shouting)

    Christmas decorations include flores de pastor (Shepherd’s Flowers, poinsettias) muérdagos (aromatic decorations suspended overhead) colored streamers, artificial Christmas trees.

    The Christmas Eve dinner included gallina de patio (stuffed chicken), Spanish rice, nacatamal (tamales), tortillas, and ponche (a rum beverage).

    Gifts are hidden around the house and children believing that el Niño Jesus (Baby Jesus) brings them, search for them following Midnight Mass.

    New Year’s Eve is filled with parties and fireworks.

Dates of Interest

  • August 1st

    Celebrated in Managua, this festival honors Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the patron saint of Managua. It features religious processions, traditional dances, music, and cultural performances.

How do people greet each other in Nicaragua?

People usually shake hands and smile with those they are on friendly terms with, giving the other person their complete attention.

Do

  • Shake hands and smile when meeting
  • Give the person your complete attention when greeting

Good to know

  • Between female friends, greetings often include a kiss on the cheek and a hug

What are dining customs like in Nicaragua?

Meals are complemented with pleasant conversation, and the main meal is eaten at midday.

Do

  • Keep both hands on or above the table at all times
  • Enjoy pleasant conversation during the meal

Don’t

  • Don't put your elbows on the table

Good to know

  • Beans and rice accompany most meals, and corn is a key ingredient
  • Typical dishes include tortillas, enchiladas, nacatamales, mondongo, and baho

What should I know about etiquette and social attitudes in Nicaragua?

Nicaraguans are sociable and hospitable, but honor is important and defended vigorously, so personal criticism should be avoided.

Do

  • Bring a small gift such as flowers or candy when invited to dinner
  • Expect a warm welcome, as Nicaraguans are very hospitable

Don’t

  • Avoid personal criticism of others
  • Don't expect strict punctuality, as schedules are loosely observed

Good to know

  • Power is highly valued and often sought
  • Nicaraguans enjoy arguing about politics

What should I wear in Nicaragua?

Clothing is lightweight and cool: men wear washable cotton or lightweight material, and women wear cool cotton dresses.

Good to know

  • Traditional costumes are worn for special occasions and festivals

Are there any gestures to avoid in Nicaragua?

Most gestures common in Western countries are acceptable in Nicaragua, with one exception.

Don’t

  • Don't make a fist with the thumb between the index and middle fingers, as it is vulgar

How important is family in Nicaragua?

Family is the basis of society and influences an individual's life and decision making.

Good to know

  • A person has two family names
  • Group dating is common among youth, and a girl formally enters social life at age fifteen

What do people do for fun in Nicaragua?

Nicaraguans are passionate about baseball, and many also go to the beach, camp in the mountains, or swim in volcanic crater lakes.

Good to know

  • Baseball is hugely popular; the biggest stadium in Managua holds 40,000 people
  • Women and girls often play volleyball and basketball; men and boys also play soccer and boxing
  • Children play rayuela (hopscotch), hide and seek, marbles, and with a trompo
  • Beaches are especially busy during Semana Santa, and most holidays fall in the dry season (December to May)

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Nicaragua

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
gold cordoba (NIO)
Time Difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Nicaragua’s climate varies with altitude and season. The summer, or dry season, from mid-November to mid-May, is hot and dry, with cooler nights. Winter, better described as the rainy season, from mid-May to mid-November, is hot and humid, with short, heavy tropical showers that may occur daily, often accompanied by violent electrical storms. Streams flood in the rainy season and dry up the rest of the year. The average daily high temperature in Managua ranges from 79°F to 93°F. Nights are usually temperate. Temperatures in the mountains can dip as low as 61°F, while the east coast high may be a humid 84°F.
Airports
176
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Gallo Pinto

Side Dish

Browse all 7 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-Colonial Era

    3000 BCE – 1522

    Nicaragua's Pacific lowlands were inhabited by Nahuatl-speaking peoples, including the Nicarao and Chorotega, whose agricultural societies shaped the region's cultural foundations. The Caribbean coast supported distinct indigenous groups including the Miskito and Sumo peoples. These civilizations maintained complex trade networks and ritual traditions prior to European contact.

  2. Spanish Colonial Period

    1522 – 1821

    Spanish conquistador Gil González Dávila made first European contact in 1522, and colonization proceeded from Panama under Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, who founded the cities of Granada and León in 1524. Nicaragua was administered as part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala for nearly three centuries. Colonial rule entrenched a plantation economy, Catholic missionary culture, and a rigid social hierarchy that would define Nicaraguan society for generations.

  3. Independence & Early Republic

    1821 – 1855

    Nicaragua declared independence from Spain in 1821, briefly joined the Mexican Empire, then became part of the Central American Federation before emerging as a fully sovereign republic in 1838. The era was defined by fierce rivalry between the Conservative city of Granada and the Liberal city of León, producing chronic civil conflict. Britain simultaneously occupied the Caribbean Mosquito Coast, asserting a protectorate over Miskito territory that challenged Nicaraguan sovereignty.

  4. Filibuster War & Foreign Intervention

    1855 – 1909

    In 1855, Nicaraguan Liberals hired American mercenary William Walker, who seized the presidency in 1856 and briefly reintroduced slavery before a Central American coalition expelled and executed him in 1857. The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 between Britain and the United States reflected Nicaragua's geostrategic importance as a potential canal route, drawing relentless foreign pressure. Conservative governments subsequently dominated but remained unable to prevent escalating U.S. commercial and military encroachment.

  5. U.S. Occupation & Somoza Rule

    1909 – 1979

    U.S. Marines intervened repeatedly from 1910 onward, imposing client governments and signing the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty of 1914, which granted the United States canal rights. Nationalist guerrilla leader Augusto César Sandino waged a celebrated armed resistance against U.S. occupation from 1927 until the Marine withdrawal in 1934, after which National Guard commander Anastasio Somoza García had Sandino assassinated and seized power in 1936. The Somoza family dynasty then controlled Nicaragua's government, military, and economy for over four decades until its violent overthrow in 1979.

  6. Revolution & Democratic Transition

    1979 – present

    The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) toppled the Somoza regime on July 19, 1979, establishing a revolutionary government that enacted sweeping literacy and land-reform programs while receiving Soviet and Cuban support. The United States responded by funding Contra insurgents throughout the 1980s, plunging Nicaragua into a devastating proxy war. Free elections in 1990 brought Violeta Barrios de Chamorro to the presidency and began a fragile democratic transition, though political polarization, economic hardship, and natural disasters such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998 continued to challenge the country's stability.

Overview

Augusto Cesar Sandino, guerrilla leader in the struggle against the United States occupation of Nicaragua in the 1920s-30s Figure 2. Nicaragua in Its Central American Setting, 1993 THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, Nicaragua has suffered from political instability, civil war, poverty, foreign intervention, and natural disasters. Governments since colonial times have been unable to bring stability and sustainable economic growth. Personal and foreign special interests have generally prevailed over the national interests, and foreign intervention in Nicaraguan political and economic affairs, especially by the United States, has resulted in various forms of populist and nationalist reactions. The legacy of the past can be seen today in the attitudes toward foreign influence. Although the upper and middle classes tend to emulate North American life-styles and be supportive of United States policies, the Nicaraguan poor are highly suspicious of the culture and political intentions of the United States. Since precolonial times, Nicaragua’s fertile Pacific coast has attracted settlers, thus concentrating most of the population in the western part of the country. The Caribbean coast, because of its proximity to the West Indies, historically has been the site of foreign intervention and non-Hispanic immigration from black and indigenous groups from the Caribbean and from British settlers and pirates. The resulting diverse ethnic groups that today inhabit the Caribbean coast have for centuries resisted Hispanic Nicaraguan governments and demanded political autonomy. During most of the twentieth century, Nicaragua has suffered under dictatorial regimes. From the mid-1930s until 1979, the Somoza family controlled the government, the military, and an ever expanding sector of the Nicaraguan economy. On July 19, 1979, Somoza rule came to an end after the triumph of an insurrection movement led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional--FSLN). However, the predominance of the FSLN led to the development of a different kind of authoritarian regime that lasted for more than a decade. During the 1980s, Nicaragua was the center of Cold War confrontation in the Western Hemisphere, with the former Soviet Union and Cuba providing assistance to the nicaragua/ni_glos.asp#Sandinista">Sandinista (see Glossary) government, and the United States supporting anti-government forces. A regional peace initiative brought an end to civil war in the late 1980s. The Sandinistas lost in the 1990 elections, and a new government headed by President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was installed in April 1990.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1821

    Nicaragua gain their independence from the Spanish Crown.

    Nicaragua and other Central American colonies gain their independence from the Spanish Crown.

  2. 1847

    British sailors invade San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua.

    British sailors invade San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua.

  3. 1850

    The United States and Great Britain sign the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

    The United States and Great Britain sign the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty without Nicaraguan consent. They are granted access to an inter-oceanic trade route through Nicaraguan territory.

  4. 1855

    Nicaraguan Liberal forces to crush the Conservative opposition hire William Walker

    Nicaraguan Liberal forces to crush the Conservative opposition hire William Walker, a North American adventurer with a small band of followers. Walker captures Granada.

  5. 1856

    Walker assumes the Nicaraguan presidency

    Walker assumes the Nicaraguan presidency and seeks U.S. annexation. As president, his first decree is to sanction slavery in Nicaragua.

  6. 1870

    Nicaragua protests U.S. intervention

    Nicaragua protests U.S. intervention and demands reparations for damages incurred in the 1855-armed conflict.

  7. 1907

    U.S. war ships take possession of the Fonseca Gulf.

    U.S. war ships take possession of the Fonseca Gulf.

View full timeline (22 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • Nicaragua is named for one of its original inhabitants, Chief Nicarao, who ruled part of the area at the time the Spanish arrived in Central America.

  • The coat of arms of Nicaragua is a triangle in which there are five mountains, representing the five countries of Central America, a rainbow representing peace, and a red cap of the style worn by revolutionaries in the French Revolution, which symbolizes freedom.

  • Volcán Masaya is an important national park. It is home to Crater Santiago, the only Central American crater where you can see molten lava. Even though the crater emits strong sulphuric fumes, green parakeets nest and roost on its walls.

  • The only freshwater sharks in the world live in Lake Nicaragua. They are thought to be the descendants of saltwater sharks that were trapped there when the lake separated from the ocean, and that evolved to survive in a freshwater environment.

  • During the California gold rush, millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt transported people by steamship from New York to Lake Nicaragua, then by stagecoach to the Pacific, and by steamship again to California.

  • Although Nicaragua is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, many couples do not go through a church or civil wedding ceremony. Couples in these common-law unions have the same status as those who have civil marriages.

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Geography and Environment

The largest of the Central American Republics, Nicaragua borders Costa Rica to the south and Honduras to the north. It covers 57,143 square miles including the region’s largest fresh water lakes—Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua which total 3,500 square miles. The country is divided into three geographic sections: the drier Pacific coastal plain to the west with its low mountain ranges near the sea; the wetter and cooler mountainous extension of the Central American Highlands which runs from northwest to southeast across the middle of the country; and the hot and humid flat Atlantic lowlands along the east coast. Most of the population is located in western Nicaragua on the fertile lowland Pacific Plains which surround the lakes and extend north to the Gulf of Fonseca. This region is the political and commercial heart of the country. Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua dominate the map of this area, and a series of young volcanoes, many still active, dot the coastal plain paralleling the Central American Highlands. The tallest volcanoes reach 5,700 feet, and two are visible from Managua. The mountain highland provinces of Matagalpa and Jinotega, northeast of the volcanoes and lakes, are more sparsely populated and Nicaragua’s major coffee-producing areas. The easternmost section of the highlands receives the warm, wet Caribbean winds and is mainly sparsely settled rain forest, with a few operating gold mines near the town of Bonanza. Eastern Nicaragua, with one-third of the total national territory which is an area about the size of El Salvador, has about 10% of the population and is tropical rain forests and pineflats. The region, largely ignored by the Spanish, was a British protectorate until 1860. Even today, many of the people along the Atlantic coast prefer to speak English. Nicaragua offers appealing landscapes from the primitive Caribbean island beauty of Corn Island, to the lovely lake views near the colonial city of Granada, to the stark beauty of the semiactive volcano located between Managua and Masaya. Volcanic Lakes Xiloa and Apoyo, near Managua, are excellent for swimming and day sailing, and provide relief from the heat. Pacific Ocean beaches are nearby, and the cooler rainforest mountains of Esteli and Matagalpa are just a few hours drive away. Managua never fully recovered from the 1972 earthquake, in which the entire city center was destroyed, and suffered further neglect through the 1980s. Today, it remains mostly deserted, with visible earthquake ruins. Managua is now a widely scattered collection of neighborhoods that rim an empty hub, with no centrally located business or shopping district. However, the area near the recently inaugurated Cathedral appears to be becoming the city’s new focal point.
Terrain
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Climate
Nicaragua’s climate varies with altitude and season. The summer, or dry season, from mid-November to mid-May, is hot and dry, with cooler nights. Winter, better described as the rainy season, from mid-May to mid-November, is hot and humid, with short, heavy tropical showers that may occur daily, often accompanied by violent electrical storms. Streams flood in the rainy season and dry up the rest of the year. The average daily high temperature in Managua ranges from 79°F to 93°F. Nights are usually temperate. Temperatures in the mountains can dip as low as 61°F, while the east coast high may be a humid 84°F.
Natural Hazards
destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
Current Environmental Issues
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Spanish (official)

  • Spanish

Population

Population
5,995,928
Population in Major Urban Areas
MANAGUA (capital) 970,000
Nationality Noun
Nicaraguan(s)
Ethnic Groups
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
high
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Nicaragua
Full Country Name
Republic of Nicaragua
Local - Long
Republica de Nicaragua
Local - Short
Nicaragua

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007, reelected 10 January 2012, reelected 10 January 2017, reelected 10 January 2022); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Rosario MURILLO is the wife of President ORTEGA and has been widely regarded as a co-ruler sharing significant executive power head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) reelected president - 75.9%, Walter ESPINOZA (PLC) 14.3%, Guillermo OSORNO (CCN) 3.3%, other 6.5%; note - the 2021 election was widely criticized by international observers and foreign governments as neither free nor fair, as numerous prominent opposition candidates had been arrested and disqualified from participating in the months preceding the vote
Legislative Branch
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; members are elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat for the previous president, 1 seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election); note - current Assembly has only 91 seats elections: last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PCCN, PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PC 2.12%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 53, FSLN 38, PC 1
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly)
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Constitution
9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Capital City

Capital Name
Managua
Capital - geographic coordinate
12 08 N, 86 15 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

may derive from the indigenous Nahuatl term "mana-ahuac," which translates as "adjacent to the water" or a site "surrounded by water"; the city is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua

Military

Branches: National Army of Nicaragua (Ejercito Nacional de Nicaragua, ENN; includes Navy, Air Force)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Managua

Km 5 ½ Carretera Sur, Managua - Nicaragua

Telephone: (505) 2252-7100

Emergency after-hours telephone: (505) 2252-7171

Facsimile: (505) 2252-7250

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Economy

Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with persistent challenges including low per capita income, underemployment, and significant income inequality. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, remittances, and exports of textiles, coffee, beef, gold, and sugar, while remittances from abroad account for roughly 25-30% of GDP and serve as a critical lifeline for many households.

After recovering from the dual shocks of the 2018 political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has shown resilience, with GDP growth averaging around 3-4% annually in recent years. However, growth has been tempered by political instability, deteriorating relations with Western democracies, and U.S. sanctions imposed in response to the Ortega government's crackdown on dissent. The country withdrew from the Organization of American States in 2023, further straining its international relationships.

Nicaragua benefited from substantial debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative completed in the mid-2000s, but it continues to depend on external financing, increasingly from non-traditional partners such as China, Russia, and Iran following the cooling of relations with Western donors. The country established diplomatic ties with China in 2021, opening new avenues for trade and investment.

Poverty reduction remains a central challenge, with approximately one-quarter of the population living below the poverty line. Inflation, driven by global food and energy prices, has pressured household budgets, while the informal sector continues to employ a large share of workers. Long-term economic prospects depend on political stabilization, institutional reform, and diversification beyond traditional commodity exports.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Nicaraguan Cordoba (NIO)
GDP — official exchange rate
$5,030,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
4%
Gini Index
55.1

Banknotes

Nicaragua Money - Front
Nicaragua Money - Front
Nicaragua Money - Back
Nicaragua Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$1,358,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP)
130%
External Debt
$5,144,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
30.8%
Current Account Balance
-$799,800,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$730,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
services 43%; agriculture 42%; industry 15%
Household Income — highest 10%
45%
Industries
food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood
Agriculture Products
coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Export Commodities
coffee, shrimp and lobster, cotton, tobacco, bananas, beef, sugar, gold
Export Partners
US 59.4%, El Salvador 7.5%, Honduras 4.8%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products, consumer goods
Import Partners
US 23.6%, Costa Rica 10.2%, Guatemala 7.8%, Venezuela 7.1%, El Salvador 6%, Mexico 4.9%, South Korea 4.6%

Energy

Oil Production
14,300 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
25,200 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved; fixed-line teledensity roughly 5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased to roughly 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.ni

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Nicaragua’s climate varies with altitude and season. The summer, or dry season, from mid-November to mid-May, is hot and dry, with cooler nights. Winter, better described as the rainy season, from mid-May to mid-November, is hot and humid, with short, heavy tropical showers that may occur daily, often accompanied by violent electrical storms. Streams flood in the rainy season and dry up the rest of the year. The average daily high temperature in Managua ranges from 79°F to 93°F. Nights are usually temperate. Temperatures in the mountains can dip as low as 61°F, while the east coast high may be a humid 84°F.

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nicaragua?
The population of Nicaragua is approximately 6.0M.
How do people greet each other in Nicaragua?
People usually shake hands and smile with those they are on friendly terms with, giving the other person their complete attention. Do: Shake hands and smile when meeting Give the person your complete attention when greeting Between female friends, greetings often include a kiss on the cheek and a hug
What are dining customs like in Nicaragua?
Meals are complemented with pleasant conversation, and the main meal is eaten at midday. Do: Keep both hands on or above the table at all times Enjoy pleasant conversation during the meal Don't: Don't put your elbows on the table Beans and rice accompany most meals, and corn is a key ingredient Typical dishes include tortillas, enchiladas, nacatamales, mondongo, and baho
What should I know about etiquette and social attitudes in Nicaragua?
Nicaraguans are sociable and hospitable, but honor is important and defended vigorously, so personal criticism should be avoided. Do: Bring a small gift such as flowers or candy when invited to dinner Expect a warm welcome, as Nicaraguans are very hospitable Don't: Avoid personal criticism of others Don't expect strict punctuality, as schedules are loosely observed Power is highly valued and often sought Nicaraguans enjoy arguing about politics
What should I wear in Nicaragua?
Clothing is lightweight and cool: men wear washable cotton or lightweight material, and women wear cool cotton dresses. Traditional costumes are worn for special occasions and festivals
Are there any gestures to avoid in Nicaragua?
Most gestures common in Western countries are acceptable in Nicaragua, with one exception. Don't: Don't make a fist with the thumb between the index and middle fingers, as it is vulgar
How important is family in Nicaragua?
Family is the basis of society and influences an individual's life and decision making. A person has two family names Group dating is common among youth, and a girl formally enters social life at age fifteen
What do people do for fun in Nicaragua?
Nicaraguans are passionate about baseball, and many also go to the beach, camp in the mountains, or swim in volcanic crater lakes. Baseball is hugely popular; the biggest stadium in Managua holds 40,000 people Women and girls often play volleyball and basketball; men and boys also play soccer and boxing Children play rayuela (hopscotch), hide and seek, marbles, and with a trompo Beaches are especially busy during Semana Santa, and most holidays fall in the dry season (December to May)
What is the capital of Nicaragua?
Managua is the capital and largest city of Nicaragua, situated on the southern shore of Lake Managua in the western part of the country. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the nation. The city was severely damaged by a catastrophic earthquake in 1972, and much of its colonial-era urban core was never rebuilt, giving modern Managua a notably decentralized layout. Today it functions as the seat of government for Nicaragua's presidential republic.
Where is Nicaragua located?
Central America is the region where Nicaragua is situated, making it the largest country on the Central American isthmus. It is bordered to the north and south by neighboring nations, with the Pacific Ocean lying to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Nicaragua occupies a strategically significant position in the region, historically linking North and South America. Its name derives from Chief Nicarao, an indigenous ruler who governed part of the territory when Spanish colonizers arrived in the early 16th century.
What countries border Nicaragua?
Honduras forms Nicaragua's northern border, while Costa Rica lies to the south. To the west, Nicaragua fronts the Pacific Ocean, and to the east it meets the Caribbean Sea. The country's Caribbean coastline, historically known as the Mosquito Coast, was occupied by Britain through much of the 19th century before gradually being ceded back to Nicaraguan sovereignty. These varied borders have strongly shaped Nicaragua's political, cultural, and economic history.
What religion is practiced in Nicaragua?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Nicaragua, practiced by approximately 85 percent of the population. The remaining 15 percent encompasses a variety of Protestant denominations and other faiths, whose presence has grown steadily in recent decades. The Catholic Church has historically played a significant role in Nicaraguan public life and social structure, influencing everything from national holidays to community customs. Religious observance remains an important part of daily life and cultural identity for most Nicaraguans.
What is the currency of Nicaragua?
The Nicaraguan Córdoba, with the ISO currency code NIO, is the official currency of Nicaragua. The córdoba is named after Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, the Spanish conquistador who founded several of Nicaragua's earliest colonial cities. It has been the country's monetary unit since 1912, though it underwent significant devaluations during the economic turbulence of the Sandinista era in the 1980s. Today the córdoba is managed by the Banco Central de Nicaragua.
What language is spoken in Nicaragua?
Spanish is the official and predominant language of Nicaragua, spoken throughout the country and used in government, education, and commerce. It was established as the dominant tongue following Spanish colonization from Panama in the early 16th century, with independence declared in 1821. Along the Caribbean Coast, English-based Creole languages and several indigenous languages — including Miskito and Sumo — remain in active use among local communities, reflecting the region's distinct colonial history under British influence.
What is Nicaragua known for?
Nicaragua is known for its remarkable volcanic landscape, including Volcán Masaya, home to Crater Santiago — the only crater in Central America where molten lava is openly visible, despite the sulfuric fumes that fill the air around it. The country is also recognized for its complex revolutionary history, particularly the Sandinista movement of 1979 and the subsequent contra conflict of the 1980s. Nicaragua is a leading exporter of coffee, beef, and gold, and its colonial cities of Granada and León are celebrated for their well-preserved Spanish-era architecture and vibrant street festivals.

Last reviewed 2026

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