Nicaragua What to Pack

  Luggage strapped together for wheeled...
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      Local "chicken bus" transport
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  • One eye on luggage as we wait at San Carlos port
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Portrait Photography Made Easier

by atufft

Although Nicaraguans have cell phones and are aware of technology, iPhones are rare, and some digital photographic equipment very unsual. To get good portrait photos I take a portable 3x5" image printer. I find it easier to get good portraits of children and families if I print and give them a hard copy of the picture I take. Another technique is to give the camera to the subject of interest to take my photo. My portraiture effort in Nicaragua wasn't as focus as in Honduras, for some reason, but I did get a few good images. To avoid confusion, men taking photos of children should be accompanied by the parent or by a woman, as molesting of teens and children is now a very serious concern everywhere.

Self-Portrait with a Local Child Interrupting :-)
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Baggage Considerations--Be Generous to the Locals

by atufft

It's very popular to "backpack" through Central America, but I don't see the advantage in this. Young people from the USA and Europe crowd onto buses bulked by awkward backpacks that get in everyone's way. Backpacks are hard to secure with locks, so good luck bringing home treasure ceramics in a soft-sided backpack.Per person, we recommend taking a durable two wheel cart with solid collapsible handle for secure transport of clothes and souvenirs, as well as one ordinary looking day pack for personal transport of valuable electronics and money. The firm sided luggage can take the abuse of the airlines and bus companies, so that you won't have to worry about how the conductor may pile and strap your belongings inside cargo hold or on top of the chicken bus. Properly packed, firm sided luggage can bring home a treasure chest of memorabilia. The easily manageable daypack can service for even...

One eye on luggage as we wait at San Carlos port
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Essential Items in Nicaragua

by maryellen50

Soft-sided luggage with wheels is easier to carry and expect everything to have a continual film of dirt especially when traveling out of urban areas. Lightweight easy washable and easy dry as you will change often due to humidity and dirt and dust everywhere. Waterproof shoes adviseable. At least 70% DEET as there are many mosquitoes due to the summer season. Sunscreen is essential. Digital camera with battery recharger. Large brimmed hat to avoid sun exposure. Baby wipes to remove grim from your face/body when in bus. Water purification tablets. Several boxes of nutritional bars when you are on the road. Instant drink mix to add to water.

Anti-western art
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Remember film and mosquito repellent!

by hanula

Backbag with some sort of waterproof cover. Raincoat.Rubberboots if you plan on going to the numerous cloud forests.Sunglasses and a hat.Light, long trousers for the forests. Live milk bacteria tablets (e.g. Idoform if you're from Finland) to keep your stomach in good condition.Mosquito rebellent. Bring your own films. They cost about 10$ each here!!! Swimming gear.Snorkelling gear for the Caribbean. Torch.Mosquito net (you can buy one from Managua for 10-15$. There are market places close to the bus terminals, but be careful when you go shopping there. They are not the safest places.)

Mosquitos repellent, Suncreens, hat!

by Varinia

Don't bring too many! A backpack is a must! Sandals, boots, comfortable cotton clothes, bathing suit, Denim jacket! Toiletries and Alka-Seltzer, Peptobismol! Lots of rolls! Great place for Camping on the beach!

Packing List

by warlord

Be sure pack the most important thing when traveling to the third world : gifts for the children. I carried a small deck of Disney cards which made great icebreakers in out of the way places. If you have room in your pack, it would also not be a bad idea to bring along some old clothes to give away. People in Managua are in dire need of charity.

Packing List

by Gina54

Do not visit in September or October. It is the 'rainy' season. When I say rainy, I mean constant tropical downpours. It rained every day, all day, all night, for the entire week. It was kind of cool in a way. The bugs are huge, there are bats everywhere. This is not a country for the faint hearted.

Packing List

by erikajj

We stayed up in the mountains of Esteli. The sun was very strong and I still got sunburned despite sunscreen, thus my nickname 'Erikita la langostita.' It was warm during the day and sometimes chilly at night, though it didn't rain much in November. If you look like me, you will need sunscreen and a hat. You can buy most medical supplies at the pharmacy and there are very few things for which you need a prescription. You may want to have a mosquito net to sleep in if one is not provided for you. We brought bug spray, but didn't really need it at this time of the year. Film was really really expensive in Esteli. I would suggest bringing what you need.

Packing List

by TanjaE

not to heavy bags, cause you won't know which transport you'll choose (bus...). hiking shoes, summer dressing (it's very hot)if possible, a mosquito net (depends on the accommodation) medicine against flue, mosquito bites you will always get everything you need, if you have the money. Some ewuipments are sold in wooden shacks. But they work... for people from non american countries...don't forget to bring a adapter (US/central american norm) for the socket for your electronical equipment...

Top 3 Hotels in Nicaragua

Jicaro Island Ecolodge  Granada

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Hotel Casa Naranja  Managua

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Nicaragua What to Pack

Reviews and photos of Nicaragua what to pack posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Nicaragua sightseeing.
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