Nicaragua entry requirements & practical information
The following general recommendations and requirements should be considered when traveling to Nicaragua.
Requirements for entering the country
Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test
Travelers will not have to present a negative COVID-19 test for entry as long as they can provide physical- or digital proof of at least 2 (two) doses or complete vaccination scheme endorsed by the WHO, equal to or greater than 14 days after the last dose.
Approved vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Covishield, Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, Soberana 02, Abdala, Sinopharm and Coviran. A complete vaccination scheme consists of two doses of the mentioned vaccines. In the case of Janssen and Sputnik Light a single dose is required.
Non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival time in Panama.
Where a PCR test is taken, if needed
Location, requirement and cost
The test is being conducted by MINSA only, at the Conchita Palacios national health complex in Managua. You will have to bring your identity card (passport), ticket or flight itinerary, and proof of payment. Payment can be done onsite in cash, or by bank transfer to the following account: 10010012253774 (account in USD) at Banco de la Producción (Banpro), in the name of TGR-MINSA. The value is 150 USD per test. Travelers are advised to pre-register on the following website (Spanish only, and the website might be accessible only in Nicaragua), after making payment.
Schedule and delivery time
The test is being carried out from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 10:40am and the results are being delivered the day the sample is taken, between 2pm and 5pm. If you preregistered you do not need to pick up the results, in that case they can be downloaded and printed out. On Sundays no testing is available, please keep this in mind when purchasing your flights.
Assistance
If you need assistance with payment, registration- and confirmation of your testing appointment, please let us know at time of quotation, so we can include the associated costs in your tailored travel proposal.
Source of information
The entry requirements for nationals and foreigners, and actions to take in case of presenting symptoms of Covid-19 upon entry are established in Ministerial Resolution, number 309-2022 of June 16th, 2022.
Yellow Fever
For travelers from Countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission proof of Yellow Fever vaccine (original booklet) is required. Listed countries:
- South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
Travelers with a connecting flight who do not leave the terminal are exempt, just as passengers with medical contraindications who cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever, and Children under 1 year of age and adults over 60 years of age.
Important notes:
Please note that airlines may require passengers to fill out an electronic form before the scheduled flight. Please follow-up with your airline should you receive such a request to avoid your booking from being cancelled.
Travelers bringing binoculars might require a permit, and risk retention and safeguarding of gear by customs. Storage fees may apply.
Drones are not permitted, upon detection they will be retained by the police or safeguarded by customs. Storage fees may apply.
Nicaragua has established a ban on electronic smoking devices, prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes and similar devices, with or without nicotine. Customs officials are likely to confiscate these products upon arrival.
In case of doubts on the above, please contact your travel planner.