Some facts about Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a Central American country located between Honduras and Costa Rica. It is the largest country in Central America, with an area of 130,373 square kilometers (over 50 thousand square miles), followed by Honduras and Guatemala. Nicaragua’s capital is the city of Managua. The official language is Spanish, but many people also speak English.

The economy of Nicaragua is based on agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. The main crops grown here are coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, corn, and rice. Nicaraguan coffee is some of the best in the world. Manufacturing industries in Nicaragua include textiles, chemicals, and food processing.

Tourism is also an important industry in Nicaragua, as the country has many beautiful beaches, magnificent volcanoes and mountains, and interesting historical sites.

Are you looking for a new place to call home?

If you’re currently looking for an affordable country to live in with a rich culture and stunning scenery, Nicaragua could be an amazing choice. This beautiful country is home to over 6 million people, and it’s growing every day. Whether you’re interested in the vibrant city life or want to get away from it all in the countryside, Nicaragua has something for everyone.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what life is like in this wonderful country.

Pros of living in Nicaragua

Let’s start with some pros of living in Nicaragua.

The cost of living is very affordable

Nicaragua is the biggest nation in Central America, yet its living costs are among the lowest. It is definitely one of the most important benefits of living here. This stunning country has many low-cost attractive destinations for expats looking to move abroad. Nicaragua is a great place to retire because it’s so affordable, including buying land.

The cost of living in Nicaragua is affordable for people who want the best Central American standards without breaking their budgets and are looking forward to spending a lot of time in the country.

It’s a great place for Americans and Canadians who are looking to live comfortably and enjoyably. Since the US dollar is widely used here, the costs of items are simple to understand without having to do conversions.

As a farmers’ country, locals harvest their own vegetables and fruits to sell them at local markets for a very low cost – sometimes half or even less compared to what you would pay in the USA or Canada. A delicious meal at a local restaurant can go as low as US $3!

Read more about the cost of living in Nicaragua!

Nicaraguans are friendly and welcoming

One of the best traits about living in Nicaragua is the locals! In general, people here are incredibly friendly and hospitable: it is a part of their culture. They love to have foreigners in their country and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

No matter where you go, you’ll always be greeted with a smile. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, they’ll try their best to communicate in your language.

Most people are courteous and kind. They wave, smile, and are always ready to assist you when you’re out walking. Someone will almost certainly slow down and ask if you need a ride if you are on the road. There is a sense that people in this country have a strong culture of human kindness.

“Tranquilo”: a low stress living

If you’re coming from a high-stress environment of a North American city, you’ll be surprised at how relaxed the people are in Nicaragua. You will quickly find that time moves more slowly here, and people tend to take things easy. This can be refreshing after living in a fast-paced city. It’s a great place to live if you are ready to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The nature is stunning

From the beautiful beach town of San Juan del Sur to its lush rainforests of Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, Nicaragua has some of the most stunning nature in all of Central America. If you love spending time outdoors, you’ll definitely feel right at home here.

Nicaragua offers some of the best places for adventure seekers. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, surfing, biking, and other outdoor activities.

Countless choices for nature lovers

Nicaragua is known as a unique land of lakes and volcanoes, and you’ll learn why. There are so many incredible places to see here: from its gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean and Pacific Coast to its verdant mountains and volcanoes!

The amount of wildlife you can hear every day here is amazing. Geologically, it’s a unique place with beautiful coastline and volcanoes that are waiting for exploration by those who want an active lifestyle. This country has so much going on all around its edges; there will always be something new to find when exploring every corner.

Some of the most unique and magical places to explore include Corn Islands, Granada City, the City of Leon, Ometepe Island, San Juan del Sur, Popoyo, and more. Check out these 14 must-see places in Nicaragua!

If you’re someone who loves being outdoors, and you’re part of the expat community, you’ll undoubtedly feel at home here. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or explore volcanoes and mountains, Nicaragua is sure to please.

A great weather

Nicaragua has some of the greatest weather in all of Central America. It’s warm and sunny year-round, with an average temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius. The climate can vary depending on the region, but it is generally tropical. Some regions, including Matagalpa, Jinotega, Carazo, Somoto and Estelli are well known for their fresh spring-like weather. The rainy season usually lasts from May to November, but there are plenty of sunny days even during this time.

Rich culture and history

Nicaragua is a country with a rich culture and history. The earliest inhabitants of Nicaragua were the indigenous people, who arrived in the region more than 12,000 years ago. These early settlers were followed by the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs, who all left their mark on Nicaraguan culture.

The Spanish arrived in Nicaragua in 1522 and colonized the country. After centuries of Spanish rule, Nicaragua gained independence in 1821. Since then, the country has been through a lot of political turmoil, but despite all this, the culture has remained strong and vibrant.

Nicaraguan food

The food in Nicaragua is locally grown and fresh. The seafood is amazing, and there’s always plenty of produce and fruit available. The local cuisine has a simple, family-style feel to it: the kind of food that is made with love and eaten in the company of loved ones.

If you’re someone who enjoys fresh, flavorful food, Nicaragua is the place to go. The country has many delicious local dishes that you can try. Some of the most popular include gallo pinto, nacatamal, rondon, quesillo, guirilas, vigoron, baho, rosquillas, and much more. You’re sure to find plenty of delicious meals to enjoy while you’re here.

Gorgeous beaches to surf

Nicaragua has many incredible beaches to surf and some of the best waves in the world. The water is warm, while the sand is soft. You can find a beach to surf no matter what time of year it is.

Nicaragua’s coast is home to many breaking waves. The water is usually windy, and there is often swelling. Waves are available for all skill levels, from relaxing point breaks to powerful, hollow, frightening barrels and everything in between.

If you’re a surfer or want to learn, Nicaragua is definitely a country you should consider moving to.

Finally, Nicaragua is a safe country

You might be surprised, but Nicaragua is a very safe country. According to the United Nations, Nicaragua is the second safest country in Central America.

Cons of living in Nicaragua

Poverty

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America. The poverty rate continues to plague the country, with about 14.6% of the population living below the poverty line (under $3.6 per person per day). This is due to Nicaragua’s difficult economic history. The country has dealt with natural disasters and a civil war in the 1980s. Despite these challenges, people are working hard to improve the situation in Nicaragua. Large and small Nicaraguan farmers provide over 90% of all food for the population, which means that the country does not depend on other countries for food.

Limited excess to education

In Nicaragua, getting a high-quality education is not for every family, mainly in the rural areas. This is because of the poverty rates and the lack of resources. While some of the local families are able to send their children to private schools or universities, most families cannot afford to do so. This leaves many children with little to no opportunity for quality education, which can be a challenge to overcome with the poverty rates in Nicaragua.

As in most countries, there are also many great private schools in Nicaragua, but unfortunately, most Nicaraguan families cannot afford them. On the bright side, there are many organizations and NGOs that provide assistance and even build schools for children from low income families.

Under-developed infrastructure

The infrastructure in Nicaragua is not as developed as in rich western countries. You can notice it in the condition of the roads, which are often unpaved and full of potholes. The lack of infrastructure can make it difficult to get around the country. Depending on where you are going, you might want to consider a 4×4 vehicle.

That said, the government has been investing a lot in its infrastructure in the past years and is constantly working on expanding the access to city water and electricity among rural areas. There are major upgrades and maintenance done on the Panamerican highway.

Pollution

Even though the awareness about the environment in Nicaragua is slowly growing, the country lacks effective infrastructures for dealing with trash. The streets and rivers are often filled with trash and plastic. Nature’s beauty is marred with industrialization and plastic waste which has health consequences for both people and animals.

The positive side of the low GDP (Gross Economic Product) per capita is that the carbon footprint of an average Nicaraguan is among the lowest in Central America. Most locals do not drive cars, but prefer motorcycles, bicycles and even horses. They use public transport, which is very well developed across the country, safe and affordable.

Language barrier

Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua. This can be a challenge for those who don’t speak Spanish fluently. While many people in Nicaragua do speak English, it’s not always easy to find someone who can help you with your needs, which could make it difficult to get around and communicate with locals. Make sure you bring a dictionary, a phrase book or a language app or find one of many great local language teachers!

In summary…

All things considered, while there are some challenges to living in Nicaragua, overall, it is a safe and welcoming country with lots to offer retirees, investors and travelers. If you’re willing to overcome some of the challenges, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible lifestyle in one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries in the world.

Are you ready to call Nicaragua your new home?

So there you have it – an overview of the pros and cons of life in Nicaragua! Whether you’re considering retiring here, investing, or just looking for a change of pace, Nicaragua is a country you should consider.

If you plan to move to Nicaragua, it’s important to be aware of both the pros and cons of living in this beautiful country. While there are many wonderful things about Nicaragua, there are also some challenges that you’ll need to be prepared for. But if you’re up for a bit of adventure and want to experience life in a truly unique place, Nicaragua is definitely the right place for you.