How much spending money do I need for Nicaragua?
If you have a trip to Nicaragua coming up - as a tourist, to visit friends and family, for work or for any other reason - it’s important to know how much spending money is needed based on your plans. This guide looks at the prices in Nicaragua for tourists, including some budgeting tips and ideas, for luxury and budget travel alike.
How Much Money Should You Take to Nicaragua?
So - your question might well be: how much do I need in NIO (Nicaraguan Cordoba) for a week in Nicaragua?
We'll break down how much money you should take to Nicaragua by different spending types later - but first, an overview. Here are some handy estimates to give you a flavour, looking at the costs of accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, so you can start to budget, and decide how much money to bring to Nicaragua, based on your spending for a day or for a week.
| Travel Style | Average Daily cost | One Week cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (Cheap) | $28 NIO 736 | $195 NIO 5,152 |
| Mid-range | $75 NIO 1,987 | $528 NIO 13,911 |
| High-end (Luxury) | $215 NIO 5,667 | $1,505 NIO 39,671 |
How Much Cash Should You Take to Nicaragua?
Let's kick off with some key points when it comes to deciding how much cash to take to Nicaragua.
Cash is still commonly used in Nicaragua, but many larger stores, restaurants and hotels - especially in tourist areas - are able to accept card payments. It’s worth taking both cards and cash with you when you head off to Nicaragua. You’ll be able to use your card whenever it’s accepted, and also to make ATM withdrawals to get cash when you need it.
Carrying lots of cash at any one time can be a security risk and make you a target for thieves, so making smaller ATM withdrawals as and when you need to is a smart plan. Bear in mind that some ATMs may charge extra fees for foreign cards - and your own card issuer might have fees including foreign transaction fees and out of network ATM costs.
Using an international travel debit card from a provider like Wise can make overseas spending cheaper, whether you tap and pay in a store, or get cash from the ATM.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card to buy, hold and exchange 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in Nicaragua - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
Is Nicaragua Expensive to Visit (in 2024)?
Ultimately, the cost of visiting Nicaragua varies depending on your plans, and how you like to enjoy yourself when you're abroad.
Overall, Nicaragua is rated as a "fairly affordable" place to visit by BudgetYourTrip. Accommodation, food, and activities are all available to suit any budget - but you'll need to plan your time to make sure you're making the most of both your time and your money while you're away.
What Currency should I take to Nicaragua?
The official local currency used in Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan Cordoba-NIO. If you plan to take cash with you to spend while you're away, you'll need Nicaraguan Cordobas.
The currency symbol is C$, which is what you'll see in stores and on restaurant menus.
| Nicaraguan Cordoba | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Nicaraguan Cordoba |
| Currency symbol | C$ |
| Currency code | NIO |
| Exchange rate today | 1 CAD = 26.3607 NIO 1 NIO = 0.0379352 CAD |
How to Save Money in Nicaragua - Traveller tips
No matter what you're planning on doing during your trip to Nicaragua, you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible.
Here are some top tips to save money in Nicaragua:
- Book your hotels or accommodation in advance to secure the best available deals
- Use public transport where possible, or approved taxi and ride hailing operators
- Use Google maps and reviews to find good restaurants. You'll often find better food and more reasonable prices away from the most touristy areas of town
- Look online for recommendations of free or low-cost attractions and activities in Nicaragua - blogs and travel magazines are a great place to start
- Use travel cards that offer fair exchange rates with transparent fees such as Wise, to keep down the costs of currency conversion and ATM use while you're away
Get a free multi-currency account and card to buy, hold, convert and send over 40 currencies. Fast, secure, easy and cheap transfers at the commercial exchange rate.
Costs and Prices in Nicaragua for Tourists
Let's move on to the typical prices in Nicaragua for tourists. Below we've got a handy overview of prices for accommodation, food and services for tourists in Nicaragua. Use this along with your own research to figure out the likely costs and prices you'll come across during your visit.
Accommodation Costs in Nicaragua
Accommodation is usually one of the biggest costs on any trip abroad - but what you pay in the end will depend a lot on the accommodation type you pick. Below is an example of accommodation costs in Nicaragua based on two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room.
| Types of accommodation | Prices per night |
|---|---|
| Budget | $9 NIO 245 |
| Mid-Range | $24 NIO 626 |
| Luxury | $57 NIO 1,509 |
Daily Food Costs in Nicaragua
Food is an important feature of a trip abroad for many of us - but what you spend can vary significantly depending on where you purchase your meals in Nicaragua. As you might expect, buying food from local markets and stores can be one of the cheapest options, or you could choose to eat at mid-range restaurants, or sample some high-end establishments.
Here's an example of how much a meal costs in Nicaragua based on different restaurant types.
| Types of Meal | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $8 NIO 218 |
| Mid-Range | $21 NIO 552 |
| Luxury | $50 NIO 1,325 |
Cost of Drink & Beverages
Let's move on to the cost of beer, wine, water and other beverages in Nicaragua:
| Drink & Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Beer (bottle) | $3 NIO 77 |
| Wine (bottle) | $14 NIO 368 |
| Can of Coca-cola /Pepsi | $1 NIO 31 |
| Mineral water (1.5L bottle) | $1 NIO 26 |
| Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate | $3 NIO 77 |
Travel Costs in Nicaragua
Once you've arrived in Nicaragua you still need to figure out how to get around. The cost of travel can be different depending on your preferences - and how much of a hurry you're in. Using public transport is often our cheapest choice, but getting a taxi or hiring a car could be faster and more flexible, depending on your budget.
Some common ways to save money on transport in Nicaragua include:
- Where possible use airport shuttles on arrival to get to the city centre
- Use buses, metro, trams or other public transport where you can - Google Maps can help you navigate more easily
Plan activities to limit the travel needed by covering the popular sites in one area before exploring the next, to avoid excess travel time
Use known taxi operators and approved ride-hailing companies.
Tourist Attractions Costs in Nicaragua
Nicaragua has many tourist attractions and beautiful places to visit.
The average daily cost for visiting attractions and entertainment in Nicaragua is C$442 Nicaraguan Cordobas ($17).
| Top Tourist Attractions | Information |
|---|---|
| Granada | A historic colonial city known for its colorful buildings, vibrant culture, and views of Lake Nicaragua. |
| Ometepe Island | An island in Lake Nicaragua formed by two volcanoes, known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. |
| Cerro Negro | An active volcano popular for volcano boarding, offering thrilling rides down its black ash slopes. |
Data Roaming, Internet, Local Sim Cards
Having easy access to your phone while you're away is important - not only to keep in touch with your friends and family, but also to navigate, look up good places to eat or visit, and to translate if needed. Make sure you don't get stuck without your phone - or with a big roaming bill - when you're in Nicaragua with these tips:
- Turn off your data roaming if you're concerned about running up excess fees, and only use your phone on secure wifi networks while you're away
- Check the roaming costs with your mobile operator - you may be able to add a roaming data package to your normal plan for a fairly low price
- Consider getting an international eSIM if your phone is compatible with eSIMs - these can be low hassle ways to keep access to your data, without needing to install a physical SIM card
- Check the SIM card price for tourists in Nicaragua, before travelling - you'll likely find people trying to sell you a local SIM in the airport when you arrive, so knowing the price you should pay can help you avoid scams
How Much Should You Tip in Nicaragua?
Tipping etiquette can vary a lot between countries, and naturally depends a lot on the type of establishment you're in, or service you've received. Generally, tipping around 10-15% of the bill when you are happy with the service is in line with expectations.
Bear in mind that in some places a service fee - which is a percentage of the amount you spend - is already added to the bill, and means you don't need to add an additional tip unless you really want to. Check your bill before you pay - or just ask if the tip has already been included or not.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Take away something to remember your trip to Nicaragua with - or as a gift to someone back home.
Pottery and Coffee are the most popular souvenirs to buy from Nicaragua. While you can pick up these and many other souvenirs and gifts at the airport, you'll normally save money by buying them from local shops instead.
How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Nicaraguan Cordobas
Naturally you want to get the very best CAD to NIO exchange rate. However, bear in mind that you'll also need to pick a secure and reputable provider when you exchange money. Black market money changers may look like they're offering great rates but they're not safe or reliable. Look out for the CAD - NIO exchange rate online or at the currency exchange office.
Always seek out official exchange companies that offer fair rates and transparent fees. Or, consider getting a travel money card, such as Wise, to ensure your transactions are secure and convenient. Use your Wise card to pay where card transactions are supported, or to get cash from the ATM whenever you need it during your visit to Nicaragua.
The live exchange rate today is:
1 CAD = 26.3607 NIO
1 NIO = 0.0379352 CAD
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