Registering with the US Embassy (for US Citizens): Upon traveling to Nicaragua, make sure to register with the US Embassy to make sure you are on the radar of the American government. Enroll here: https://step.state.gov/step/. US Embassy in Managua is located at: Kilometro 51/2(5.5) Carreter Sur, Managua; Main Phone: +(505)2252-7100; Consulate: +(505) 2252-7888

Tourist Visa Renewal: It is important that every member of the Chica Brava family that is in Nicaragua on a tourist visa understand that their association with Chica Brava is entirely on a volunteer basis. A tourist Visa lasts 90 days (roughly 3 months) and must be renewed every 90 days. To renew your tourist Visa there are various options:

  • Trips Home: When you leave Nicaragua to travel anywhere outside of Honduras and El Salvador you automatically renew your Visa upon re-entry, so a trip to the states will renew your Visa
  • “Border Runs” to Costa Rica: This is perhaps the easiest and quickest option to renew your Visa. Other foreigners in the San Juan Expat community are constantly organizing border run trips to Costa Rica for the day. The cost after taxis/fees is usually around $40. Check out the ‘San Juan Expats’ page or ‘Nica Rides’ group to see when people are organizing border runs.
  • Managua: Once every 6 months you are able to automatically renew your tourist Visa in Managua at the immigration office at the Metro Centro Mall. The cost is $20 per month. So if you are leaving for the states in a month, but your Visa is about to expire it may be more affordable and less of a hassle to just buy another month.
  • Rivas: If you don’t have time to go to Managua you can leave your passport at the Immigration office in Rivas. Make sure to bring a copy of your passport and exact cash. Any taxi or bicycle taxi in Rivas will know where the office is. You can usually get your passport back within 2 weeks.

Accommodations/Housing: Expect to spend between $150-$300 per month on an apartment. There are multiple apartments available around town, which you can research by word of mouth, and in the ‘Del Sur’ newspaper. When apartment searching keep the following variables in mind:

  • Is it located in a safe area, within walking distance of things?
  • Is the landlord responsible, trustworthy and accountable?
  • How is the plumbing? Is there a reserve tank for when the water goes out?
  • Is there a cross breeze? Will the apartment get too hot?

Meals/Food: There are many good/inexpensive restaurants around town (see Chica Brava Town Guidebook) and all Chica Brava team members get discounts almost everywhere. Average meals cost around $5-$8. As is the case anywhere, grocery shopping is going to be your best best on a budget:Fruits/Vegetables: Local market

  • Organic Greens/Vegetable: Gato Negro and the Cloud Farm
  • Basic Shopping: Pali or Pulperia Sanchez
  • Bulk Shopping: Organize a trip to Pricesmart (Nica version of Costco)
  • Maxi Pali in Rivas has great produce / frozen section, dry goods, etc.

Miscellaneous Living:

  • Laundry: Gaby’s Laundry service is quick and reliable, but closed on Sundays 
  • Water delivery: There are various locations throughout town where you can get a refillable 5-gallon water bottle (“botellon” in Spanish). Try a 1/4 block South of Gato Negro. The initial deposit of a botellon is around $20 and about $3 to refill.
  • Trash pick up: is usually daily, depending where you are living. Ask your neighbors what time trash collection is or utilize dumpster
  • Fun Shopping: Around town the clothes shopping is quite limited. Auric has new designs weekly, and you get 10% off at the Chica Brava store! Rivas has a number of second hand shops that are fun to check out!
  • Spanish Lessons/Practice: Take Spanish lessons through Spanish Ya! and practice with Spanish Speaking CB team members! The best way to learn Spanish is to practice, practice, practice!

Travel/Transportation:

  • Long distance travel within Central America
    Tica Bus – https://www.ticabus.com/eng/index.php
    Trans Nica – https://transnica.com/
  • Car Rental:
    Budget – located at La Victoriana Hotel (open 7:30 am -8:00 pm)
    Dollar – located at Pelican Eyes (open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm) 2568-2740
    Alamo – located behind Taco Stop
    Vladimir – Gomza Travel (day rentals, no paperwork) 8783-3046

Health / Medical:

  • Yoga: Zen Yoga ($50 for 10 class package)
  • Massage / Spa: Salon Azul, Salon Sol y Luna, Gaby’s
  • Dentist: Located across the street from Pan de Vida 8465-3574
  • Hospital Options:
    Centro de Salud, San Juan
    Doctor in San Juan (by Baloys)
    Clinica Inmaculada (Rivas) 2563-4935
    Vivian Pellas (Managua)
  • Veterinarian Options
    San Juan del Sur – Faran (86953083)
    Good contacts for animal related questions: Katie Horn, Voluntary Veterinary Brigades: animalloverkate@gmail.com

Fun Activities and Trips around Nicaragua:

  • Managua movie day! Gallerias mall, Metro Centro or VIP movie theater
    Sushi Itto: 2×1 sushi 12:00 – 3:00 Monday through Friday
    Restaurants: Ola Verde, Café Las Flores, Salsa dancing at Fandango, Chik Chak, El Segundo, Sacate Limon
  • Maderas / Maderas Village (50% discount)
    Afternoon surf, delicious food, great atmosphere
    Contact: Dicky – dickie@maderasvillage.com
  • Ometepe Adventures
    Hacienda Merida – eco lodge, with kayaks and hiking
  • Laguna de Apoyo
    Monkey Hut ($6 day entrance fee) https://www.themonkeyhut.net/monkey/
  • Atlantic Coast / Corn Islands
  • Popoyo Area / North Beaches
    Popoyo: Mag Rock, ask for Jackson, CB gets a discount
    Surf Nica Waves ($10)
    Santana: Hostel Buena Honda
    Playa Colorados: Pili’s Restaurant, 8368-9286
  • Surf up North (Chinandega/the Boom/Jiquilillo)
    The Boom, Hotel Chancletas (https://www.hotelchancletas.com/)
    Jiquilillo, Nate’s Place – https://rancho-esperanza.com/
  • Mountains up North (Esteli/Jinotega/Matagalpa/ Selva Negra)
    Esteli: Café Luz y Luna / La Casita
    Jinotega/Matagalpa: Selva Negra
  • Rio San Juan