Is It Easy for Nicaraguan Tourists to Enter Us

Last Updated: 07/27/2022

COVID-19 Information

***  As of 12:01 a.m. EDT June 12, 2022, the CDC order requiring all persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded.  Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer order air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States. Of note, CDC's Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.  For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information:

• On July 26, 2022 Nicaragua's Health Ministry confirmed Nicaragua's 245 death due to COVID-19. The Nicaraguan government has yet to officially impose any domestic travel restrictions or national quarantine policies.
• The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
• Click here for a list of private companies offering medical evacuation of COVID-19 patients from Nicaragua to the United States. U.S. citizens seeking information about medical evacuation of COVID-19 patients should contact these private companies directly.
• Current official COVID-19 reporting by the Nicaragua Ministry of Health includes 14,807 confirmed cases (with 245 resulting in death).
• Independent health organizations estimate the number of cases to be much higher, with one civil society group estimating nearly 32,650 suspected cases. Government hospitals are also reported as understaffed and struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nicaragua's health ministry continues to report that they are monitoring the situation. The health ministry has created a 24/7 hotline to call regarding COVID-19 in Nicaragua. To reach this hotline, you can call +505-8418-9953.
• On April 19, 2022 the U.S. Department of State issued aLevel 3Travel Advisory for Nicaragua due to limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws.
• The American Citizen Services Unit is open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACSManagua@state.gov. For after-hours emergencies, please call +505-2252-7171 and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.
• Most commercial airlines have suspended service from Nicaragua. U.S. citizens planning to leave Nicaragua should contact the airlines directly for updates on flight cancellations and suspension of services.See most up-to-date information and contact details below:
  • Delta Airlinesservice suspended indefinitely
    com
    +505 2254 8130
    +1 800 221 1212
    –United Airlines no resumption date set
    united.com
    +505 2255 5007
    +1 800 864 8331
    +1 800 421 4655
    –Avianca Airlines resumed services September 2020
    avianca.com
    +505 2276 9922
    +1 800 284 2622
    –AeroMexico resumed services July 2021
    aeromexico.com
    +1 800 237 6639
    –American Airlines no resumption date set
    aa.com
    +505 7877 7920
    –Spirit Airlines no resumption date set
    –Copa Airlines resumed service on January 2021

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Nicaragua? Yes
• PCR tests are available only through the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.  The government of Nicaragua prohibits the import of COVID-19 tests.  The Embassy has received reports of tests being confiscated from U.S. citizen travelers upon arrival in Nicaragua.
• All testing in Nicaragua is carried out at the National Center for Diagnosis and Reference (CNDR) and the Nicaraguan Institute for Health Investigation (INIS) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Test results are returned the same day between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Travelers wishing to be tested must present an identification card (cedula) or passport and their flight itinerary.  The $150 fee must be deposited in either Banpro account 10010012253774 (U.S. dollars) or 10010002253784 (cordobas), both registered under TGR-MINSA.  Cash payments can be made at Conchita Palacios National Health Complex or at the INIS cashier.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• Has the government of Nicaragua approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
• Are vaccines available in Nicaragua for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
• Which vaccines are available in Nicaragua?  Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Pfizer.
• The Government of Nicaragua is currently offering vaccination to residents of Nicaragua and will continue to prioritize individuals who are in appropriate age groups or at risk of serious illness. Proof of residency consists of your Nicaraguan cedula. For more information, contact your local health authorities.
• Visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccinesin the United States.
• The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes. Fully vaccinated travelers must bring proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers must present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to entry into Nicaragua.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes, a negative PCR test is required unless the passenger can provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated prior to entry into Nicaragua.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
• When arriving from a country with known yellow fever risk, one must demonstrate vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days prior to entering zone of risk.
• S. citizen visitors and residents in Nicaragua should contact Nicaraguan Immigration directly regarding visa extensions and residency processes:
  Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria, Dirección: Semáforos de la Tenderí 300 metros al lago, Teléfonos: 22512271 – 22512272,relacionespublicas@migob.gob.ni – https://www.migob.gob.ni/migracion/

Entry Requirements for fully vaccinated travelers:

Effective June 16, 2022, travelers arriving in Nicaragua must present a digital or physical full COVID vaccination certificate, showing that they received all required doses of a COVID vaccine approved by the WHO or registered in Nicaragua: Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Soberana 02, Abdala, Janssen from Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, and Coviran.

The government of Nicaragua will consider a traveler to be fully vaccinated when they have received at least two doses, including a mix of two different accepted vaccines, with the exception of Janssen from Johnson & Johnson and Sputnik Light, for which the application of one dose is considered complete. Please see the Ministry of Tourism webpage for more information about current entry requirements.

Entry Requirements for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers:

All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers, regardless of age, are required to present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entry into Nicaragua. Please see the Ministry of Tourism webpage for more information about current entry requirements.

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place? No
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No

Quarantine Information

•  Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
• The Nicaraguan government has not officially imposed any quarantine policies.

Transportation Options

• Are commercial flights operating? Yes
• Is public transportation operating? Yes.

Consular Operations

• What ACS services are being offered? Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available by appointment Monday through Friday. For emergency services please contact us here. The embassy is closed on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays. An appointment is required for all services except emergency services. Click here to make an appointment .
• What visa services are being offered? The United States Embassy in Nicaragua has resumed all routine visa services at this time. However, due to demand, the wait time for an appointment may be significant.

Local Resources

• View U.S. Embassy Managua most recent alerts.
• Health Ministry website
• Managua Airport website with airline contact information.

Other links

• COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• Nicaragua Country Information
• Nicaragua Travel Advisory page

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Source: https://ni.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

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