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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

  • 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 

Joel@LifeInNica.com

Cell / WhatsApp: (+505) 8176 8624

US Number: 1 786 753 8743

Skype: joelstottjess

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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.

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