Pandemic Travel

So, Travel got a little more complicated for a while…

…but we can clear up some of the questions you may have so you can relax and concentrate on having a great trip.

-Details updated as of August 2022.

Travel Into Nicaragua

So, first things first… There is no mandatory quarantine, no mask mandates and no restrictions depending on country of origin or citizenship.

The only rule is that to enter Nicaragua you need either an up-to-date completed vaccination card OR a negative PCR (polymese chain reaction) test. NOT a rapid test. These requirements apply for all ages, no exceptions for babies or toddlers. The test must have been taken within 72 hours of your entry to Nicaragua. Some reports say that within three days is fine, other border officers are more strict on the timing. Best to keep within the hours to be safe.

Things in Nicaragua are open and tours are available. Some larger stores and city locations still require masks to enter. You will find temperature testing upon entry and alcohol sprayed onto your hands as you enter.

Nicaragua has a small population (5-6million total), a young population (average age 37 years) and plenty of open spaces. This may be why there are so few reported cases. That and the fact that the only tests are available in Managua at a cost of $150. More on this below.

Flights have resumed regularly with Avianca and Copa. Costa Rica has many more flight options and Liberia is a short and easy trip to the border. This can also be an excellent option for those who have long/connecting flights and are worried about making the 72-hour window for negative test requirements if they are not vaccinated. Scroll down for more info on entering Costa Rica.

To summarise:

Is there a mandatory quarantine in Nicaragua? NO.

Are there govenment mask mandates in Nicaragua? NO.

Do you need to wear masks in public places? SOME. Larger stores, banks and city locations may require masks to enter.

Which countries have restricted entry to Nicaragua? NONE.

Do you need a Negative PCR test to enter Nicaragua? YES, if you don’t have a vaccine certificate.

Does a rapid test count to enter Nicaragua? NO.

Are vaccine certificates accepted for entry to Nicaragua? yes.

Does proof of an old positive test exepmt you from needing a negative CoVid test to enter Nicaragua? NO.

Do children under 2 years need a negative CoVid Test to enter Nicaragua? YES, if they can’t prove they’ve been vaccinated.

Do babies under 6 months need a negative CoVid test to enter Nicaragua? YES, if they can’t prove they've been vaccinated.

Is Spirit airlines flying to/from Nicaragua? NO.

Do you need insurance to enter Nicaragua right now? NO. It’s not mandatory, but it can be useful.

Are there any exceptions to needing a negative CoVid test to enter Nicaragua? yes, you can show a vaccine certificate.

If you need a test while here (sometimes still necessary for entry to other countries) there are two testing sites available, if you can’t find a home-test. One is at MINSA (the Ministry of Health) in Managua at Palacios Conchitas. It costs $150USD (or the equivalent in cordobas) and it saves queues if you pay in BANPRO beforehand. The other (for foreigners only) is at the Nicaraguan Institute for Health Investigation (INIS), in Bolonia, Managua.

Send C$ to account number 10010002253784 or US$ to 10010012253774 with the reference TGR-MINSA

Both testing areas are open from 7 am until 10.40 am Monday to Saturday. Results are available the same day between 2 - 5 pm. Results must be collected in person.

Costa Rica Travel Requirements

Costa Rica has lots more flight options and can be way more economical for global travel as a means of getting to Nicaragua.

There have been several recent reports of people being denied entry upon landing in Costa Rica if they state that they are in transit and immediately planning to enter Nicaragua and don’t yet have their negative PCR results or vaccine certificate with them. Avoid this by having your onward travel proof more than 3 days after your arrival date (outside of the required Nicaraguan 72 hour window) and having the name of a place to stay in Costa Rica ready. You can always leave before the date you say (but not later).

Costa Rican CoVid Requirements:

To enter Costa Rica you need mandatory travel insurance (5 days minimum) OR a full vaccination certificate.

The mandatory travel insurance has been announced to be eliminated for foreigners from the 1st April 2022.

Vaccines must be approved (see list below) and have been completed (2 doses) 14 days before entry to allow the exemption to the insurance requirement.

Negative tests are not required to enter Costa Rica.

The insurance must cover you for at least $50,000 USD of medical expenses and $2000 in extra lodgings allowance.

Trawick is an economical option for approved insurance for entering Costa Rica.

Saigcor is a little more expensive but also recognized and allows you to come from a destination that is not your ‘home country’.

From Liberia to the Peñas Blancas border is around 1.5 hours. You can find a testing site for approved PCR tests to enter Nicaragua in the hospital close to the airport or at the testing center in the airport.

Lab Echandi is a convenient location, found in all major towns in Costa Rica as well as at the airports. You must pay for your test online for airport locations. With Lab Echandi it costs $45 for a rapid antigen test (not approved for entry to Nicaragua, but approved to enter many other countries, ie. the U.K or Spain for example), $99 for an rt-PCR test (approved for entry to Nicaragua) that guarantees results within 24 hours (although often much faster) and $240 for an rt-PCR test with results guaranteed within 3 hours.

The results are sent electronically, so no need to put your travel on hold while you wait, and come with the approved seal of the lab required to enter Nicaragua. You can simply show your emailed negative result certificate at the border of Peñas Blancas, although printing out a hard copy if possible is never a bad idea.

There are cheaper options at other labs, in San Jose for example you can find them for as little as $70 for PCR tests. A quick google search will show you many options for this.

For now you still need a health pass approved by Costa Rica before arrival. This requirement has been announced to be halted on April 1 2022 for foreigners and on March 7 for Costa Ricans. You can find it here.

Costa Rica also asks for proof on onward travel when entering. If flying in you will need to show the health pass and proof of onward travel (within 90-days, the maximum allotted visa time) in the form of a bus or plane ticket. You can reserve online with TicaBus for a fairly cheap way to do this. Bear in mind they may only give you the number of days for your visa that you say you are going to be in the country for, according to your ticket of onward travel.

Approved vaccines for certificate which exempts from needing insurance:

Pfizer & BioNTech (Comirnaty / BNT162b2 / Tozinameran)

Moderna (Spikevax / mRNA-1273)

AstraZeneca (AZD1222 / Vaxzevria / Covishield, ChAdOx1_nCoV19)

COVAXIN

Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceuticals / Ad26.COV2.S)

SINOPHARM (BIBP1)

SINOVAC

To summarise:

Is there a mandatory quarantine in Costa Rica? NO.

Are there government mask mandates in Costa Rica? NO.

Do you need to wear masks in public places? SOME. Larger stores, banks, and city locations may require masks to enter.

Which countries have restricted entry to Costa Rica? NONE.

Do you need a Negative PCR test to enter Costa Rica? no.

Are vaccine certificates accepted for entry to Costa Rica? yes.

Do you need insurance to enter Costa Rica right now? no.

Are there any exceptions to needing insurance to enter Costa Rica? YES, A Vaccine Certificate.

Do I need to fill out anything before entering? no.

Do I need proof of onward travel? Yes, within 90 days of your arrival date to the country.

Looking for a dream destination in Nicaragua? Look no further…