Safety and Security

Civil Unrest:  Political, economic, and social demonstrations occur frequently throughout the country.  Typically, protests in Managua happen at major intersections or traffic circles (rotundas).  Outside of the capital, they often take the form of road and highway blockages.  Activities observed during past protests include:

• use of tear gas and rubber bullets
• fireworks (often launched via improvised mortars)
• rock-throwing
• tire and/or vehicle burning
• road blocks

Because even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can escalate into violence, we advise you to avoid crowds and blockades during such occurrences, to monitor local media reports, and to exercise caution when near any large gathering.

Certain holidays and celebrations draw large crowds and can lead to road closures and disruption of public transportation. Be aware of those days and plan accordingly.  Events for these celebrations are often announced only days in advance, making it difficult to plan ahead.  A partial list of such holidays/celebrations includes:

• Semana Santa (the week before Easter)
• Repliegue Histórico a Masaya (usually occurs sometime in late June)
• July 19 celebration of the Sandinista Revolution
• Celebration in Managua of Santo Domingo, the Patron Saint of the city (August 1^st and August 10^th)
• Feast of Purísima (December 8). 

The next major election in Nicaragua will be in November 2016 for President and the National Assembly, and we anticipate (and have already begun to see) demonstrations and political rallies on an increasing scale as the election nears.  During the last Presidential election in 2011, there were widespread demonstrations and political rallies all over Managua.  Violence also escalated in rural communities.  Confrontations between the largest political parties erupted along main thoroughfares and locked down Managua for brief periods.

Travel Restrictions:  All travel by U.S. government personnel to the Northern and Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions must be pre-approved due to crime and transportation safety concerns.

Crime:  Violent crime occurs throughout Nicaragua, and street crime is very common.  There have been a large number of reports of vehicles burglarized in restaurant, gas station, and convenience store parking lots. Pick-pocketing and occasional armed robberies occur on crowded buses, at bus stops, in taxis, and in open markets like the Oriental and Huembes Markets.  We prohibit off-duty U.S. government personnel from entering the Oriental Market due to high levels of crime and other illicit activity. 

Police presence is extremely limited outside of major urban areas, including in the remote beach communities on the Pacific Coast and Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast.    

Several U.S. citizens have been the victims of sexual assault in recent years.  Most reported sexual assaults occurred in beach locations or at hotels at both remote and popular tourist destinations.

Due to an increase in crimes committed against foreigners driving rented vehicles, we recommend that you exercise extreme caution when renting or driving vehicles in Nicaragua.  Dozens of people who have rented cars have reported that “Good Samaritans” pulled over to assist them to change a flat tire.  While the driver was distracted, an accomplice stole the driver’s possessions.     

Street crime and petty theft are common problems in Puerto Cabezas, Bluefields, the Corn Islands, and other urban areas along the Caribbean Coast.  Due to the area’s geographical isolation, our ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens who choose to travel in the Caribbean coastal area is very limited.  Police presence is minimal on the Corn Islands, and there are no forensic doctors there, so victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault, must travel to Bluefields at their own expense for medical examinations and collection of evidence.  In several recent cases, assault victims have reported police reluctance to produce police reports or pursue charges against perpetrators.  Please report any such incidents to the Embassy.

Victims of Crime:   Report crimes, including sexual assault, to the local police at 118 (Nicaraguan equivalent of “911,” in Spanish) or 101 (Tourist Emergency Hotline, English-speaking operators but only reachable from Claro cell phones) and contact the U.S. Embassy at 2252-7100.  

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
•  contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.  You may find the police, including the Nicaraguan National Police, unable to assist in emergencies or respond effectively due to a lack of resources, vehicles, and personnel.

Presenting copies of receipts or other proof of ownership of high-value items such as computers, cameras, tablets, and smart phones may assist in the completion of police reports. However, we have received reports of police refusing to file reports of a crime.     

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

Please also see our tips to avoid becoming a crime victim in Nicaragua.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Coastal Disputes:  On the Caribbean Coast, nautical travelers should be aware that there is an ongoing boundary dispute with Colombia over maritime waters surrounding the San Andres Island archipelago. The Nicaraguan Navy has challenged vessels transiting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

• Nicaragua and Costa Rica have stationed security forces at Harbor Head (also called Isla Calero) at the eastern end of the San Juan River due to a border dispute. 
• Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador have maritime and land disputes over islands and access to fishing rights in the Gulf of Fonseca on the Pacific Coast, a closed sea under international law.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.