Practical information for visiting Nicaragua

The currency is the córdoba. The US dollar is the only foreign currency freely exchangeable -- banks will not change pounds and Canadian dollars cannot be exchanged at all -- and dollars are easily exchanged and widely taken; ATMs dispense US dollars or córdobas, credit cards are usually accepted, and ATMs outside the major cities may not be available. Change money at banks or official exchange offices; the money changers with official identification stand in front of the banks. The arrival tax of 10 US dollars is payable in cash only.

The political situation is the main risk, and it is legal, not violent, for most visitors. The Canadian government advises a high degree of caution because of the political situation, the potential for civil unrest and crime; the country has seen periods of unrest since April 2018 with hundreds of deaths and detentions. Nicaraguan law prohibits political activity by foreigners, and taking part in a demonstration, promoting dissent -- including on social media -- or using the national colours in a political way can lead to detention or deportation. Demonstrations, though infrequent, can turn violent and disrupt travel.

Crime: foreign nationals have been affected by violent crime, often attacks on people in vehicles; petty theft occurs, and the advisories name poorer neighbourhoods of Managua, León, Masaya, Bluefields and other cities, remote Pacific beach communities and the North Caribbean autonomous region as places where property crime is frequent. Taxi robbery and short kidnappings for cash are the specific scam; use radio-dispatched or red-plated taxis only.

Drones are prohibited under Law 1230 and drugs in any quantity mean prison. There is no resident British diplomatic mission; British nationals are served from San José, Costa Rica.

The Canadian advisory records a risk of malaria in certain areas and at certain times of year, for which antimalarial medication may be recommended, and a mosquito-borne disease risk generally; ask a travel clinic before going, and cover up at dusk on the Caribbean coast and around the lake. Medical assistance is on 128. No Nicaraguan health authority page answered a scripted request, so tap water, altitude and local clinics are not summarised here.

No political activity. It is illegal for foreigners to take part in any sort of political activity in Nicaragua; a protest, a political meeting, dissent on social media or the use of the national flag or its blue and white for campaigning can bring arrest, detention or deportation.

No drones, under Law 1230: possession as well as use is prohibited. No drugs: possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment. No e-cigarettes: import, sale and use are banned and customs confiscate them.

On the road, stay at the scene of any accident and call 118; leaving may be treated as an admission of guilt, and an injury accident can mean detention until a legal decision regardless of fault.

Photography of police, military and government buildings, dress in churches and the like are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Emergency numbers: police 118, medical assistance 128, firefighters 115. After a road accident, call 118 for the transit police and stay at the scene.

Volcanoes and storms: INETER, the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies, publishes the volcanic and weather bulletins in Spanish; the hurricane season runs June to November by the British advisory, from mid-May on the Pacific by the Canadian one. Follow evacuation orders.

Consular help: there is no resident British mission; British nationals contact the embassy in San José, Costa Rica. Canada has an office in Managua.