Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Highways connecting major cities are generally in good condition, but secondary roads are potholed, poorly lit, frequently narrow, and lack shoulders.  Most roads on the Caribbean Coast are unpaved. Road signs throughout the country are poor-to-non-existent. 

Road travel after dark is hazardous in all areas.   For safety, carry a cellular phone in case of emergency, and do not drive outside urban areas after dark.

Watch for:

• Damaged roads during the rainy season;
• Bicycles, oxcarts, animals, and vehicles without lights, even on main roads;  
• Motorcycles darting between traffic with little or no warning;
• Pedestrians on busy roads;
• Other vehicles in poor condition;
• Drivers passing or parking on blind corners;
• Drivers signaling a turn by sticking their hand out the window.

Traffic Laws:  If you are involved in a traffic accident, wait for police to arrive and follow their instructions.  Do not move your vehicle at all unless a police officer tells you to do so, or you will be legally liable for the accident, whether or not you caused it.

Nicaraguan law requires that police take a driver into custody for:

• driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or
• being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death.

The minimum detention period is 48 hours.  In fatal accidents, drivers are held until they reach an agreement with the victim’s family.

To avoid liability, consider hiring a professional driver through a reputable hotel.  

All drivers (in rented or owned vehicles) must carry: 

• driver’s license,
• proof of insurance,
• vehicle registration,
• emergency triangle,
• fire extinguisher, and
• inspection and registration stickers (“Calcomania de Revision” and “Calcomania de Matricula” issued by police).

Penalties for not having the above include fines and/or towing to a pound.  For more information about transit laws, Nicaraguan driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please check with the Nicaraguan National Police or the Embassy of Nicaragua.

Traffic Stops:  Transit police conduct most traffic stops on foot at locations marked by traffic cones.  The transit police are more likely to stop those in rental cars and with foreign license plates. 

Transit police often demand on-the-spot bribes in lieu of fines.  If this happens, request a receipt and the officer's name and badge number.  To report mistreatment by police, file a complaint with Nicaragua’s National Police and forward your complaint to the U.S. Consular Section in Managua.  Also, advise your rental car agency if police say their vehicles do not meet transit regulations.

If you receive a traffic violation, police will confiscate your driver's license until you pay the fine at a bank.  After paying, take proof of payment to Transit Police Headquarters (or a police station if outside Managua) to retrieve your license.  Be aware that foreigners are rarely able to recover their licenses in a timely manner because of transfer delays to the Transit Police.  Most foreigners leave Nicaragua before the transfer occurs.  Please consult the Nicaraguan National Police (in Spanish) for more information about how to pay for or appeal traffic infractions and recover confiscated licenses.

Public Transportation:  Buses and mototaxis (caponeras) often lack proper safety equipment.

• Avoid public buses due to safety and crime concerns. 
• Use only mototaxis (caponeras) recommended by trusted sources and only for short trips. 
• Use only licensed taxis recommended by airport authorities, major hotels, restaurants, or other trusted sources.
• Have small bills because many drivers will not make change.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism and national transit authority.

Transportation by Water:  Prior to embarking in a panga, ferry, or other type of boat, consult with local naval or police authorities, when present on-site, about the safety of setting out in current local weather conditions.  Exercise  reasonable caution in the face of possibly overloaded or otherwise unsafe vessels.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Nicaragua’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Nicaragua’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

When flying to remote locales, travelers should be aware that airports are likely to be poorly developed facilities with short airstrips, minimal safety equipment, and little boarding security.