Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need any inoculations to travel to Nicaragua?
A: We require a current tetanus inoculation. We recommend that you consult with your local international travel clinic (or family doctor if no clinic is nearby) for recommended pills and inoculations.

Q: What do I need to do to bring my prescription medications to Nicaragua?
A: Airlines and customs officials recommend you carry each medication in its original bottle with the label intact.

Q: What is the baggage allowance per person?
A: You are allowed 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on. Checked bags must weigh no more than 50 lbs. Please see the airline's webpage for bag dimensions and to confirm weight allowance as this may vary between airlines. We recommend you try to pack light.

Q: What clothing do you recommend for the trip?
A: Please see our what to pack guide. It can be downloaded from the bottom of the Travel page of our website or we can send you a copy. Keep in mind that the rainy season is May-November; if you are going during this time period, be sure to bring a poncho and waterproof shoes. Click here to view Nicaragua's current weather.

Q: Do I need to exchange money before I leave?
A: If you have US$, no. You will have a chance to exchange money your first full day in Nicaragua. Please bring clean, unmarked, unripped currency only. Do not bring traveler's cheques or large bills ($100 bills) as these are difficult or impossible to exchange. Debit and credit cards are used infrequently in Nicaragua; you may have the opportunity to use them in bigger cities, but don't expect to use them. ATM machines are found in major cities, but again, don't expect to be able to use one.

Q: How much money should I bring?
A: This depends on your spending. We provide 3 meals a day and a beverage with each meal; if you like to snack or will want additional beverages, or alcoholic beverages such as beer or rum, which are not covered by your fee, this is up to you. You should bring extra cash to purchase beverages and snacks. A soda costs about 50 cents to $1. Likewise, with souvenirs if you expect to purchase coffee and hammocks and ceramics, expect to bring more money. Some participants spend only $20 and others spend $300.

Q: How can I keep in touch with my family and friends?
A: The easiest way is by e-mail. Each region where El Porvenir has an office has at least one internet café; 1 hour costs around $2.00. You can make international calls from many internet cafés. Oftentimes the hotel in Managua has a computer that guests may use. Telephoning to the US is not difficult. Most internet cafés allow you to call International for about $.20 a minute.

Q: Can my family members call me?
A: Yes, but remember that the person answering the phone in the hotel will speak Spanish. In case of emergency, family and friends can reach Jo Buescher at 239-292-2419, who will relay the message. If it is not an emergency, please ask them to e-mail you. Some visitors have cell phones that allow you to use them internationally; you would have to double check with your phone provider to see if your plan qualifies.

Q: Can I call the US with a International phone card that was purchased in the US?
A: NO, most international phone cards only work when you are using them in the US to call out of the US. We know of no international phone card that works from Nicaragua to the U.S.

Q: Do I need an adapter to plug in my camera or camcorder?
A: No, Nicaragua uses the same voltage as North America.

Q: What will the hotels be like?
A: Hotels are modest. You can expect a bed, a private bathroom with a shower stall, an overhead light, a sheet, and a towel. In Managua, you may have hot water, but not in the countryside where you will spend most of your time. Bathrooms in the regional hotel are typically curtained off from the room rather than having a door. It is likely that the water will go out at least once during your stay as well as the electricity. Temporary water and power shutoffs are common every week everywhere in Nicaragua, due to lack of sufficient supply and infrastructure. Most hotels have emergency water reserves and we will supply candles. Bring a good flashlight.

Q: Will there be laundry service?
A: While in the region where you are working, a local woman will wash your clothes. She uses a cement washstand or rocks and dries everything on a clothesline. Your whites will be whiter than you've ever seen them, but you should hand wash your delicates or leave them home. It will take 1-2 days for your clothes to dry (during the rainy season, up to 3 days). The cost will be between $2-5 for this service

Q: I'm vegetarian or have a food allergy; can you accommodate this?
A: We can accommodate vegetarians, but not vegans. We cannot guarantee that no animal fats are used in the preparation of restaurant foods. Please let us know your specific allergy, and we will advise.

Q: Can I drink the water in Nicaragua?
A: We provide bottled water at all times and recommend you use it for drinking and brushing your teeth. We make sure all your food is prepared with purified water as well.

Q: Do I need a visa to enter Nicaragua?
A: No, you will buy a $5 tourist card upon entry at the Managua International Airport.

Q: What if I want to arrive before the trip starts or stay after the departure date?
A: You may make your own arrangements to arrive early or depart late, but El Porvenir only provides transportation and services during the dates of the trip. Though Nicaragua's tourism is growing, you should not expect to find an English speakers in any hotel but the most expensive hotels, nor are there many English speakers in restaurants or transportation.

Q: Will El Porvenir help me book my flight?
A: We can suggest travel agents we've worked with or useful websites to help you find the best price, but we are unable to book flights for tour participants.

Q: For what days do I book my flight?
A: If your trips dates are March 3-12, plan to arrive on March 3 rd and depart on March 12 th .  You may arrive and depart at any time on those days.  We will meet your arriving flight and get you to the airport in time for your departure.

Q: What airlines fly to Nicaragua?
A: Continental, American, Delta, and Taca

Q: Can you recommend a travel agent?
A: You can check with various internet web pages.
For example www.expedia.com

Q: What about travel insurance?
A: Travel health and accident coverage through Travelex is included in the cost of your trip. A brochure with detailed coverage information will be sent to you prior to your departure.

Q: Id like to bring a gift to the community we will be working with; what is appropriate?
A: El Porvenir works with communities, so any gift must be for the entire community. The fee you pay to participate in the workgroup will pay for the materials of construction for the community's water or sanitation project, and this donation is your gift to the community. Individual gifts such as clothing may cause jealousy and dissention in the community whose unity we are committed to support, so please do not bring such gifts. Some work groups have made a gift of sports equipment such as a volleyball and net, or baseballs, gloves and bats, to the entire community, and these gifts are very welcome and positive. School supplies (books in Spanish, notebooks, pencils, crayons, etc) are welcome as a gift to the local school, but we ask that you bring enough for all the children. We will tell you how many there are.

Do you have a question that wasn't answered here? If so, please send your question to jo@elporvenir.org

Click here for information about what to pack.