Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Don't bet on it, but flying between CA-4 countries tends to get you another 90 days on landing.
Land border officials are stricter in adhering to the regulations.
Volunteering
Nicaragua has a very developed volunteer culture traceable to the influx of 'Sandalistas' (young for-
eign volunteers) during the revolution. Many hostels and Spanish schools maintain lists of organiza-
tions or check out
Volunteer South America
(
www.volunteersouthamerica.net
) and
Go Abroad
(
www.goabroad.com
) .
Following are some organizations that accept foreign volunteers.
Local Organizations
Los Pipitos
(
www.lospipitos.org
)
Has offices throughout the country working with young Nicaraguans
with disabilities. Accepts volunteers with training in medicine, education, sports and other associated
fields.
UCA San Ramon
(
www.ucasanramon.com
) Works with rural coffee-growing communities near
Matagalpa.
International Organizations
Habitat for Humanity
(
www.habitatnicaragua.org
)
Construction brigades work on new housing in
impoverished communities.
Seeds of Learning
(
www.seedsoflearning.org
) Sends work brigades with an educational focus to Ni-
caragua.
Women Travelers
The biggest problems that many solo female travelers encounter in Nicaragua are the
pirópos
(catcalls)
and general unwanted attention from men. Nicaragua is not particularly dangerous for women, but you
know the drill: dress conservatively (knees should be covered, though shoulders are OK), especially
when in transit; avoid drinking alone at night; and - this is the hard one - reconsider telling off the cat-
calling guy, as he might become violent. Sigh. The Caribbean coast is more dangerous in general, so all
this goes double there.
