Nicaragua travel advisory has been raised to Alert Level 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. State Department. It means that travelers were advised not to travel to the Latin American country.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet issued a travel health notice for Nicaragua because of COVID-19. So if you are eyeing to visit Nicaragua, here are some travel guidelines that you should keep in mind.

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Nicaragua Travel Guidelines

The U.S. State Department has advised people to reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws.

The agency said the government of Nicaragua arbitrarily imposes laws for political purposes. Government officials and law enforcement reportedly continue to target those opposing the leadership of President Daniel Ortega.

The government and its affiliated groups were allegedly systematically targeting opposition figures and detained pro-democracy advocates.

For political reasons, the government also prevents certain individuals from departing Nicaragua by air or land. U.S. citizens in Nicaragua have also reported being subjected to harassment and assault by masked individuals.

They also said there was increased criticism of alleged political speech and additional scrutiny by immigration officials. The State Department advised travelers to exercise caution and be alert to crime risks.

The CDC still urges travelers to ensure vaccination before traveling to Nicaragua despite not knowing its COVID-19 pandemic status.

Meanwhile, poor infrastructure in some areas of the country limits the Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens in emergencies, with U.S. government workers may be subjected to restrictions on their movements at any time.

Tourist Attractions in Nicaragua

Nicaragua has started attracting a significant income from tourism in the early 21st century. The country has recorded a total of 474,000 tourists in 2020.

Nicaragua generates around $544 million from tourism alone, with the sector growing 15 percent to 20 percent annually. According to the Welcome to Nicaragua site, the country boasts of eco-tourism, beaches, colonial cities, nightlife, and low cost of living.

Nicaragua is known for the Jose Coronel Urtecho Cultural Center, which is dedicated in memory of the famous Nicaraguan poet. The center is built within the walls of a Spanish colonial fortress turned prison that was later turned into a police station.

If wildlife is what you are looking for during your trip, the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge can be the place for you. It consists of a system of wetlands that includes more than a dozen rivers and ponds. 

The Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge was declared the first wetland of world importance in Nicaragua as a Ramsar site.

Travelers can bird watch, observe wildlife, and visit an orchid nursery and breeding centers for freshwater turtles and alligators, according to the country's tourism board site. There is also the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve holding hundreds of species of animals, insects, and trees.

Nicaragua is also known for impressive surfing locations, with the most popular destination called San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur was a stop on Quicksilver's The Crossing in 2003, a worldwide quest to search for the "perfect wave."

There are also active volcanoes that you can hike into for a more adventurous trip. The Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve has multiple trails for hiking. Nicaragua has 26 volcanoes.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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