Safety Tips in Nicaragua

Do not sit on the top part of the tender craft if you have little hair! A hat won't stay on and the sun is far too strong to do without!
18 months later my scalp is still suffering ----another appt with a dematologist soon!

As is normal, one should always take necessary precautions to protect personal security. Follow all recommended travel guidelines to avoid troubles. I have a 31 year history with Nicaragua but only recently decided to move to Nicaragua from Eugene, Oregon (June 2008). The year prior, I investigated Nicaragua extensively and one of the key issues for me, naturally, is mine and my children's personal security. I am aware of all the US Consulate warnings and the statistics of violence commited against US citizens and others. At first I wondered if moving to Nicaragua to start a business would be an unnecessary risk. But as I began to compare the same statistics to the crime in my little home town of Eugene, Oregon, I realized I lived in a much more "dangerous" place then Managua, not to mention the small towns outside of Managua and the capital cities (based on per capita figures). I moved here in July 2008 with the objective to create an industry for white water rafting. The hope is to create similar, if not greater, opportunity and prosperity than has been enjoyed in neighboring Costa Rica. I have traveled all over Nicaragua (especially the north and along the Pacific Coastline), remote areas at all hours, mingled with nearly everyone I met along the way. of getting to know the rivers of Nicaragua. I have tliterally raversed Managua 100's of times in my own "come and rob me I am a "rich Gringo", lifted 4x4, Ford Excursion, loaded with kayaks on top, " and have never once felt threatened or at risk of being targeted. I have taken taxis as well, again at all hours of the day and at times at night. I am not saying that there is no danger or risk here. I decided I must keep things in perspective. Let me share a website with you to make an honest comparison. The following website makes a comparison of common crimes committed in Eugene, Oregon and Los Angeles, CA:
Crime Stats I am well aware of the reports noted on the US Department of State of violent and petty crime in Nicaragua. In no way do I want to dismiss these activities as trivial. However, in context, my home town of Eugene is far more violent based on the statistics that Eugene makes available to the public. And Los Angeles looks like a battle zone compared to Eugene. Look for trouble anywhere and we will find it and sometimes it finds us when we do our best to avoid it. I believe when making comparisons to other highly traveled countries, Nicaragua is a far safer country then has been incorrectly perceived.

One more thing, I know very well what it is like to travel in highly unstable countries as a real comparison. If you like I am happy to provide more information on this or other topics. Write steepline@hotmail.com Hopefully you will put Nicaragua on your desired, destination list and maybe even take a trip on one of the rivers with us.

Costa Rica is so crowded and people so unfriendly, it is said Nicaragua, regarding crime both places are safe, in Nicaragua you will be safe 99% of the time in Leon or Granada or any other city just avoid Managua, all thieves are concentraded there, still safe at daylight,.

Almost everywhere you go in Nicaragua you will see children begging for food or money. In many cases they will go away if you ignore them long enough or emphatically tell them no. But some children, expecially in Granada and the central market in Managua, become aggressive and abusive when you turn them down, kicking or hitting people and vehicles, and making extremely rude comments and gestures. If you give them money, they only become more persistent so, as far as I can tell, there's no way to get rid of them except to leave.

This happened at Christmas in the Dominican Republic, but can happen anywhere, that is why I am posting it in all my travel places.

This is something that makes me sick. This is not a place specific concern.

While at the pool I notice a little girl about 2 ? 3 yrs old. She had water wings on and was in water over 5 feet deep. There was absolutely nobody watching her. I stayed within a couple feet of her while with my son. After 30 minutes (I thought her parents would come back) I asked her if her mother was around. The girl said yes and quickly left to run to her mother. (I was a stranger so she ran away). I noticed who her parents were.

My dilemma was this; do I make an attempt to tune her parents into reality??? Or do I turn a blind eye and pray nothing happens ??? I know that if something happened to her, I would feel guilty.

I decided that I would keep an eye out for her. The next day, she was left alone in deep water for over 1 hour while her dad was at the other end of the pool reading a magazine. He looked for her every 20 ? 30 minutes. Her mother was sleeping on a pool chair the whole time.

The following day an announcements was made that parents must watch their kids and not leave them alone in the pool. Guess what??.

A friend of her family walked to the edge of the pool to check up on her?.it took 3 minutes for him to find her. When he did, he said to the father, ?oh she is with my son? (who was about 4 ? 5 years old). He went back to his chair and they ignored the kids for another hour.

PEOPLE WATCH YOUR KIDS?..AN ALL INCLUSIVE DOES NOT MEAN THEY WILL WATCH OUT FOR YOUR KID.

I took the opportunity to speak very loud to my wife (loud enough for the parents to hear).

I mentioned how parents that do not look after their kids in situations like that should have family services take their children away from them. That is neglect as far as I am concerned.

We were driving back to the hotal when Rick passed a bus on an open stretch of highway. We were pulled over. The police officer said that we passed a school bus in a no passing zone. There were absolutely no paint marks on the highway.

I did not understand most of the conversation because Manuel and the officer spoke very quickly in Spanish. Here is the outcome:

They were going to take Rick's driver's liscence to the police station where he can pick it up in a couple days when he pays the fine. They would not say which station it would be at, or we could pay the fine now...........

Rick offered the police officer about $60 CDN. and he accepted it only after he told his partner to walk behide the vehicle (no witnesses). This took about 1 hour to solve...

The beach at Poneloya, a short bus ride from León, is a great place to take photographs, collect seashells, or just admire the surf. It’s not a particularly good place to go for a swim, however. Don’t believe me? Read the sign.

when going to the lake by walking, you must take extra care...somedays it is very solitaire, empty streets and looks like time just stopped.
if i wasnt read some advices i must be robbed by 2 young guys.
and a friend of mine happen similar thing.
taxis are very cheap...less than a dollar for the lake shore!