What every visitor should know about Nicaragua:

Money
The currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO). 10 NIO is worth about US$0.49, or €0.34.
Crime
CrimeSafe Travel Score™: 2.5 out of 5 (Use caution)

Areas of concern:

  • Mugging
  • Pick-pocketing / bag-snatching
  • Armed robbery is frequent
  • Robberies in unlicensed taxis
Capital
Managua
Tap water
Not recommended. Water is usually drinkable in large cities, but quality is uneven.

Nicaragua facts and figures:

People

Population
5,891,199
Language
Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census)
Ethnicity
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Economy

GDP
US$3,000 (per capita)
Income equality
Moderate
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