Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are the most common, and parts are widely available. For other makes you may have a frustrating wait
while parts arrive from Miami.
Driver's License
Your home driver's license is valid for driving in Nicaragua for the duration of the entry stamp in your
passport.
Rental
To hire a car, you'll need a driver's license and major credit card. Most rental companies want you to
be at least 25 years old. Renting a car at Managua International Airport costs 15% extra, so consider
taking a taxi to an offsite office.
Following are some of the better rental-car agencies:
Budget
(
www.budget.com.ni
)
Dollar
(
www.dollar.com.ni
) Offers drivers for additional US$15 per day with rentals.
Hertz
(
Airport 2233 1237;
www.hertz.com.ni
)
Lugo
(
Click here
2266-4477;
www.lugorentacar.com.ni
; Canal 2, 2c N, 3c O, Managua)
Insurance
Whether renting or driving your own vehicle you must purchase obligatory third-party insurance. If ar-
riving in Nicaragua in your own vehicle, you'll purchase this at the border. For rentals this usually
costs around US$12 per day.
When renting, you'll also be recommended supplemental insurance, which ranges from US$10 to
US$30 per day depending on the coverage and excess, but your credit card may already covers this;
call to make sure.
Road Conditions
Road conditions vary wildly throughout the country. The Panamericana (Pan-American Hwy) is paved
all the way from Honduras to Costa Rica. Some secondary roads are very good. Access to Pacific
beaches is for the most part woeful, as is the majority of the road network on the Atlantic side.
There are no up-to-date maps showing real road conditions, which change every rainy season any-
way. Always ask locals if you aren't sure. Older paved roads are often horribly pockmarked with axle-
cracking potholes. One tactic is to get behind a local driver and follow them swerve for swerve. Keep-
ing an eye on older tire tracks is also helpful.
You'll often see people with shovels pointing to a dirt-filled pothole, which they just fixed for free.
They're asking for a couple of córdobas (US$0.10) from you for their efforts.
