Interesting Facts

Name Nicaragua comes from an aboriginal word, of Nahuatl origin, which was used during the Spanish conquest to refer to the narrow territory that today separates Lake Nicaragua from the Pacific Ocean. It was taken from the chief who dominated that territory when the first conquerors arrived: Nicarao. The term also came to be applied, by extension, to the tribe that occupied that region: Los Nicaraguas or Niquiranos.

Propinas

Tips in restaurants range from 10% to 15% of the value. Taxi drivers do not receive tips.

Tax

The only tax paid on the purchase of goods or products is the IGV (General Value Tax) of 15%.

Currency

The local currency is the córdoba

Time

It is the same as in the central United States (-6h GMT) and there is no time change between winter and summer.

Climate

The climate in Nicaragua has particular characteristics in three clearly defined zones. Between the lakes and the Pacific, it is dry and has low rainfall, with temperatures ranging between 27°c and 32°c in the rainy season or winter, between May and October, and 30°c and 35°c in the dry season or summer, between November and April.

Towards the centre of the country, the altitude caused by the mountainous elevations allows for a cool climate that becomes more humid towards the east. In the centre of the Caribbean Sea, a tropical rainforest climate predominates, with warm temperatures and frequent rainfall.

Code and Telephone

(505) and finally the 8-digit telephone number.

Language

The official language is Spanish. On the Caribbean Coast, English is spoken, as is Miskito and other native languages. English is spoken in most of the country's tourist destinations.