A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Nicaragua. U.S. citizens do
not need to have six months of validity remaining on their passport,
but should make sure that their passport does not expire before the end
of their visit. Sufficient funds and an onward or return ticket are
required for a visit to Nicaragua. A visa is not required for U.S.
citizens, but they must purchase a tourist card for USD $10. Tourist
cards are typically issued for up to 90 days.
A valid entry stamp is required to exit
Nicaragua. Pay attention to the authorized stay that will be written
into your entry stamp by the immigration inspector. Visitors remaining
more than the authorized time must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan
Immigration. Failure to do so will prevent departure until a fine is
paid.
Visitors must pay a departure tax of USD $42. This tax may be included
in the price of your airline ticket, or may be paid at the airline
counter when you leave.
Visitors to Nicaragua must enter and depart the country on the same
passport. Adults with dual nationality must enter Nicaragua with their
Nicaraguan passport. Minors with dual citizenship from Nicaragua and
another country will likely be subject to Nicaraguan law as it pertains
to travel for citizens under the age of 18.
Foreigners must carry a document with proof of identity with them at
all times while in Nicaragua, and face risk of detention if they cannot
produce a document when asked. This document may be in the form of a
permanent residency card, a temporary residency card, a passport, or a
travel document with an entry stamp.
Many travelers must show proof of yellow fever vaccination administered at least 10 days before travel in order to be permitted entry to Nicaragua. Medical officials conduct a remote body temperature scan of all disembarking passengers at Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport airport. Nicaragua may quarantine you or not allow you to enter the country if you exhibit signs of illness.
Nicaragua is a part of the "Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control
Agreement" along with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvaor. This
agreement allows both citizens of the countries and eligible foreign
visitors to travel across land without additional visas or tourist
entry permits, and without entry/exit formalities at immigration
checkpoints. U.S. citizens are eligible for this agreement. A maximum
of 90 days will be awarded to visitors upon arrival, and foreign
visitors who wish to stay longer need to apply for a one-time extension
of stay or leave the area. Local immigration authorities may grant stay
extensions, and visitors who leave the CA-4 countries can apply for
readmission to the region. If you are expelled from any country in the
agreement you will not be permitted to enter any of the other three
countries. Isolated incidents of confusion over the CA-4 details have
led to delays, fines, and detention for a few travelers.
For the most current information about visas to visit Nicaragua, visit the Embassy of Nicaragua.
