Nice Style Tours Travel Guide

Volcanoes to climb, waves to surf, tropical rainforest to trek and colorful, colonial cities to explore. Nicaragua has no shortage of attractions. Nicaragua's has an ‘off the beaten track' appeal. Add to this the country's friendly, welcoming people, outstanding scenery and beautiful colonial architecture, and the attraction is evident.

Location: Central America.
Time:  GMT - 6.
Area: 120,254 sq km (46,430 sq miles).
Population: 5.1 million (2005 census).
Capital: Managua. Population: 1.4 million (2005 census).

Geography
Nicaragua borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. To the east lies the Caribbean, and to the west the Pacific. In the north are the Isabella Mountains, while the country’s main feature in the southwest is Lake Nicaragua, 148km (92 miles) long and about 55km (34 miles) at its widest. The island of Ometepe is the largest of the 310 islands on the lake. These islands have a reputation for great beauty and are one of the country’s main tourist attractions. Lake Managua is situated to the northwest. Volcanoes, including the famous Momotombo, protrude from the surrounding lowlands northwest of the lakes. The country’s main rivers are the San Juan, the lower reaches of which form the border with Costa Rica, and the Rio Grande. The Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) in the Caribbean are two small beautiful islands fringed with white coral and palms. They are very popular as holiday resorts with both Nicaraguans and tourists. The majority of Nicaragua’s population lives and works in the lowland between the Pacific and western shores of Lake Nicaragua, the southwestern shore of Lake Managua and the southwestern sides of the range of volcanoes. It is only in recent years that settlers have taken to coffee growing and cattle farming in the highlands around Matagalpa and Jinotega.


Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
Head of State: President Daniel Ortega since 2007.
Language:  Spanish. Along the Mosquito Coast (Costa de Mosquito), there are English-speaking communities in which African or mixed African and indigenous Indians predominate.
Religion: 75% Roman Catholic; 15% Protestant; 10% other.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz.
Social Conventions:  Dress is informal.

Money

Currency: Nicaraguan Gold Córdoba (NIO; symbol C$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of C$500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of C$5 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Currency Exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport, at banks and at official bureaux de change in major cities. US Dollars are the most easily exchanged currency and are also accepted as payment throughout the country.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs: Major credit cards are widely accepted. There are ATMs in most tourist areas.
Traveler's Checks: These can only be changed in some banks.

Climate

Tropical climate for most of the country. The dry season is from December to May, and the rainy season is from June to November. The northern mountain regions have a much cooler climate.

Lightweight cottons and linens are required throughout the year. Waterproofs are advisable during the rainy season. Warmer clothes are advised for the northern mountains.