Things to Know
Care and Health
Transporatation
About Money
Lodgment
CARE AND HEALTH Traveling Safely:
Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America, but it is always advisable to follow safety measures in any country you travel to
- We have a basic medical insurance for our customers being serviced
- Follow the guidelines to stay healthy
- Before you walk around or move in an unfamiliar area, ask the locals if it is dangerous
- If you go to a place and have to go through a dangerous area or are traveling at night, it is better to take a taxi
- Check if the hotel room where you are staying has reliable locks
- Avoid counting your money in the streets
- Do not carry visible valuables (including jewelry)
- Never lose sight of your belongings (camera, laptop, cell phone, backpack, etc.)
- Don’t stay just anywhere (is better to pay a little more, in a safe place)
Staying Healthy:
Nicaragua has a warm and humid climate; there are diseases you can be exposed to, given the climatic and environmental conditions. There are recommendations to follow in order to stay healthy while visiting this beautiful country.
- Before traveling anywhere, it is always a good idea to have a talk with your primary care physician. Tell them you are traveling to Nicaragua, and ask for suggestions and information about the necessary vaccinations.
- We recommend traveling with medical travel insurance. Contact your health insurance provider and find out what coverage you have while visiting Nicaragua.
- There are mosquitoes, so it's always a good idea to carry insect repellent. Most hotels and home-stay families have mosquito nets for use at night.
- Avoid drinking tap water; it may not be healthy for your stomach. You can find purified water to buy in supermarkets and small shops (grocery stores, sales). We always recommend refilling your water bottles to avoid excessive waste. You may also drink the filtered water present in some places.
- It is advisable to inquire in each place, if the water used for drinks and ice is purified or filtered.
- Avoid buying food on the street, many fried foods are not as hygienic as the food is exposed to environmental impurities and often goes without refrigeration.
- Pharmacies are easily found in the city, but if you use specific medication we recommend you bring it with you. Top
Nicaragua offers a variety of places to visit within easy reach.
Some recommendations will be useful for travel within the country:
- It is very important and practical to always ask for directions: if you do not know how to get somewhere, ask!
- The Nicaraguans are very friendly and will not refuse to explain how to get somewhere, and if possible, ask more than one person, especially in rural areas where people tend to explain distances in terms that are only locally understood.
- Take into account the way directions are given in Nicaragua:
Do not panic if you do not see street names or house numbers. It is often very confusing and difficult to understand the ways we Nicaraguans orient ourselves. The most important thing is to understand that the directions are not related to a system of names or numbers as in more organized countries. In Nicaragua, known reference points are the key to direction. These references are usually monuments or buildings (religious, state, private, commercial centers, banks, etc.), but also sometimes old trees, hills, bridges and even buildings or people that no longer exist. Directions such as: From Mary Matus’ place, two blocks north. These are the type of directions you will be given; people like Maria Matus, who passed away many years ago, continue to be landmarks. Top
- Internal transportation:
In all regions of Nicaragua, there are taxis and public transport buses that start working very early. In Managua (the capital), cab fare depends on your destination, ranging from 30 to 60 Cordobas ($1.50 U.S. - $3.00 U.S.); taxis are safer than buses, but for safety it is best to take marked taxis.
In other regions of the country, the cost of a taxi ride is cheaper, between 10 and 20 Cordobas ($0.50 U.S. - $1.00 U.S.).
The national currency is the Cordoba, but people also call it Peso. Most shopping centers, warehouses, distributors, and restaurants accept dollars. Not all of them accept credit cards. Most hotels have their prices in dollars.
ATM's can be found near banks in every city. The most accepted cards in Nicaragua are V = Visa and MC = MasterCard
To exchange your money you can visit the banks of every department, but there are also people outside the banks who can exchange money (U.S. dollars only). These people are known as coyotes. When you go to change money with them make sure the exchange rate is correct and then you can give him the money. Do not get out too much money on the street, as it will call the attention of thieves.
In Matagalpa it is very easy to find ATMs, as there is a street where all the banks in the department are located. There are some banks in the city that makes international transactions and cashes traveler's checks; one of them is the Banco de America Central (BAC). This bank is located, from the traffic light at Morazán Park, half a block south. Top
In the northern part of the country, the hotels are smaller than the ones in the tourist cities, and in most cases they only offer simple lodging. They're comfortable and clean, and the hospitality of the owners and staff will make you feel at home. The prices are quite affordable.
In Matagalpa, you'll find a wide variety of options for any kind of traveller. Following, you'll find a description of the hotels in the city.
Hotel Apante
Hotel Apante is located on the edge of Parque Darío, one of two central parks in Matagalpa. The small hotel's comfy, family atmosphere offers many kinds of rooms with basic services at affordable prices. The triple rooms come with a mini-refrigerator.
Guests receive free coffee throughout the day. They also offer free bread in the morning and in the afternoon.
Address: Frente al parque Darío (In Front of Parque Darío)
Telephone: 2772-6890 Top
Hotel Alvarado
Hotel Alvarado is a quaint little hotel, located in the heart of Matagalpa. The staff offers personalized attention in a family atmosphere, with simple, but comfortable rooms.
Hotel Alvarado is well maintained and beautifully decorated. From the rooms, you can see the mountains that surround Matagalpa, and there's a balcony with a view to the street below.
The owners have travelled a good deal, and speak French because they once lived in France. One is a doctor, which means that you would have medical assistance if you were to need it. There's also a drug store next to the hotel. The hotel also offers laundry service, and breakfast if you ask in advance.
Address: Semáforos del Parque Darío 1 cuadra al norte (From the traffic lights in Parque Darío, one block to the north)
Telephone: 2772-2830 Top
Hotel Lomas de San Thomas
Located on the edge of the city, Hotel Lomas de San Tomas has a beautiful view of Matagalpa and the mountains that surround the city. In addition to the magnificent scenery, the hotel offers well-equipped, spacious rooms, making it one of the most comfortable hotels in the city.
The tranquillity and relaxing atmosphere of the hotel provides a great place for families and for business travellers. Hotel Lomas de San Thomas also offers three conference rooms and an elegant restaurant and bar.
Address: Escuela Guanuca 350 metros al este. (From the School 'Guanuca', 350 meters to the east)
Telephone: 2772-4189/2660. Top
Hotel Selva Negra
Selva Negra is a destination in and of itself, built in 1975 in the mountains of Matagalpa. The resort is located on the road to Jinotega within the nature reserve 'El Arenal,' a cloudforest.
Selva Negra is owned and maintained by descendants of the German settlers who came to this region in the nineteenth century. You can still see the Bavarian influence in the decoration of the rooms and the food in the restaurant.
The resort offers various kinds of accommodations, each surrounded by the tranquillity of nature.
The chalets are the most spacious and beautiful, full of history and built in the old German style. 6 to 12 people can sleep in a chalet.
Another option is staying in one of the bungalows. Each has its own porch, with a capacity of 2 to 8 people.
There are also North-American-style hotel rooms, each with a private bathroom and shared porch.
A great option for economy-budget travellers is the Hostal de la Juventud (Youth Hostel). It is a large, shared building where up to 20 people can be accommodated.
Address: Kilómetro 140 carretera Matagalpa Jinotega (Kilometer 140 on the highway between Matagalpa and Jinotega)
Telephone: 2772-3883 Top
Hotel Barcelona
Each room comes with air conditioning, a fan, hot water, a private bathroom, cable television, telephone and cleaning services, 110 Voltage electrical outlets, mineral water from the waterfall, and an excellent panoramic view. You'll also find ample parking, with space for up to about 80 vehicles, and all of the necessary services to make you comfortable.
Address: Carretera a Molino Norte (Highway to North Molino)
Telephone: 2772-7313 Top
Hotel Sueño de la Campana
“La Campana” is located in the centre of the town of San Ramón—a smaller city about 20 minutes by bus from the City of Matagalpa. The hostel was built halfway up the side of a hill, offering a great view of the beauty of the landscape, and of the town of San Ramón.
The hostel offers its guests a variety of possible activities. They can go walking and get to know the nature, people and all the attractions of the north of the country, or they can also freely and spontaneously participate in the different projects and humanitarian initiatives that the foundation is running in San Ramón.
Address: Contiguo al Instituto de San Ramón (Next Door to the Institute of San Ramón)
Telephone: 2772-9729 Top
Hotel Fuente Pura
Hotel Fuente Pura is definitively a unique hotel, where you can enjoy a very calm and quiet stay, breathing fresh air. It is located between the cities of Matagalpa and Jinotega, very close to the Nature Reserve 'El Arenal'. The hotel is surrounded by nature and coffee plantations—ideal for those looking to enjoy a relaxed stay surrounded by nature and away from the city.
The rooms are comfortable, spacious, and well maintained. The rooms have private bathrooms, hot water, and TVs with DVD players. The hotel also has a collection of DVDs for guests to use at no additional charge.
Also, there's a sunny dining room with picture windows, offering a beautiful view of the surroundings. From there, guests can see the coffee plantations and grand trees below (the hotel is located on the top of a hill). Not only you can see groups of howler monkeys that often pass by the hotel's grand windows, you can also enjoy stunning sunsets. All the prices include dinner or breakfast.
Address: kilómetro 142 1/2 carretera Matagalpa-Jinotega
Telephone: 8876-5081 Top
Hotel Fountain Blue
This cozy hotel offers personalized services, offering breakfast to guests that ask in advance. Each room has hot water and cable TV. The hotel has private parking lot. The prices are between C$ 300 and C$ 600 cordobas (US $15.79 and $31.58).
Address: Clínica Santa Fe 1 cuadra al oeste (From the Clinic 'Santa Fe', one block to the west) Top
Hotel Soza
This hotel is located in the central avenue of the city. Its owner is very friendly, and the staff is very helpful. Each room is equipped with the basic services (a fan, TV, and a private bathroom). The hotel also has a small cafeteria that serves breakfast and lunch buffet style.
Address: Contiguo a Supermercado la Matagalpa (Next door to the supermarket, 'La Matagalpa)
Telephone: 2772-7200 Top
Hotel Wanpani:
Located on the edge of the city, this hotel offers a calm and comfortable environment. Although it's small, the hotel is clean and affordable.
Address: Shell la virgen 20 varas al sur. (From the Shell gas station “La Virgen”, 20 yards to the south). Top
Hotel Ideal:
The hotel offers spacious rooms with cable TV, hot water, and private bathrooms. It has bar and restaurant service, and a very spacious conference room.
Address: Catedral 2 cuadras al norte 1 cuadra al oeste. (From the Cathedral, two blocks to the north, and one block to the west.)
Telephone: 2772-2483 Top
Hotel Central:
This hotel is a good choice for low budget travellers. It's located in the central avenue of the city, and offers small but comfortable rooms at very affordable prices.
Address: Frente al Supermercado la Matagalpa (Across from the supermarket “La Matagalpa”)
Telephone: 2772-3140 Top
Hotel La Profe:
This hotel offers clean, comfortable, and quiet rooms at affordable prices.
Address: Shell el Progreso 20 varas al norte (From the Shell gas station “El Progreso”, 20 yards to the north.)
Telephone: 2772-2506 Top
