The Surfer's Guide to Nicaragua - Nicaragua Surf Travel News
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Counterfeit Cordobas? (Don't take the plastic money.)
It might seem like common sense, but think twice about taking the new "plastic" bills recently issued by the
Nicaraguan Central Bank. You may have trouble using them for payment.
On May 15 the Central Bank issued a new series of 10 and 20 córdoba bills made from a plastic-like material.
The bills are meant to replace the ratty, old cordobas currently in circulation. The new bills were a surprise to
most Nicaraguans, as there was no announcement, and has caused confusion in the marketplace, which
grew more serious when several economists said the new bills are illegal. Further, the new bills don’t have the
signature of the Minister of Finance, as required by Nicaraguan law.
It might seem like common sense, but think twice about taking the new "plastic" bills recently issued by the
Nicaraguan Central Bank. You may have trouble using them for payment.
On May 15 the Central Bank issued a new series of 10 and 20 córdoba bills made from a plastic-like material.
The bills are meant to replace the ratty, old cordobas currently in circulation. The new bills were a surprise to
most Nicaraguans, as there was no announcement, and has caused confusion in the marketplace, which
grew more serious when several economists said the new bills are illegal. Further, the new bills don’t have the
signature of the Minister of Finance, as required by Nicaraguan law.
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Some have gone so far as to label President Daniel Ortega a counterfeiter, reported The Tico Times.
Others are more worried that the backlash itself will cause more harm. Whatever the legal situation,
many merchants are wary of the plastic currency and aren't accepting those bills.
Since the Nicaraguan Central Bank is saying they're fine, they probably are. But for now it's probably
best to just use your US Dollars (everyone takes them) and ask for the old cordobas (cordobas de
papel, no plasticas) when getting change. And don't forget the calculator.
Nicaragua Visa Requirement Lifted
Tourists and tourist businesses are happy because the Nicaragua government is lifting all tourist visa
requirements as an incentive to boost tourism. This means that tourists can visit Nicaragua without
the cost or hassle of a visa. The number of Costa Rican tourists alone is expected to skyrocket as a
result. This expectation is based on experience from the mid 1990s when Nicaragua temporarily lifted
tourist visa requirements for Costa Ricans. The visa suspension will also help draw more tourists
from Asia, South America and eastern Europe. The United States, Canada, the European Union, and
other Central American countries won't be affected, since they haven't had tourism visa requirements.
All tourists will still have to pay the US$5 tourist card fee to enter Nicaragua.
Others are more worried that the backlash itself will cause more harm. Whatever the legal situation,
many merchants are wary of the plastic currency and aren't accepting those bills.
Since the Nicaraguan Central Bank is saying they're fine, they probably are. But for now it's probably
best to just use your US Dollars (everyone takes them) and ask for the old cordobas (cordobas de
papel, no plasticas) when getting change. And don't forget the calculator.
Nicaragua Visa Requirement Lifted
Tourists and tourist businesses are happy because the Nicaragua government is lifting all tourist visa
requirements as an incentive to boost tourism. This means that tourists can visit Nicaragua without
the cost or hassle of a visa. The number of Costa Rican tourists alone is expected to skyrocket as a
result. This expectation is based on experience from the mid 1990s when Nicaragua temporarily lifted
tourist visa requirements for Costa Ricans. The visa suspension will also help draw more tourists
from Asia, South America and eastern Europe. The United States, Canada, the European Union, and
other Central American countries won't be affected, since they haven't had tourism visa requirements.
All tourists will still have to pay the US$5 tourist card fee to enter Nicaragua.
It's an El Niño Year
The El Niño weather pattern comes every decade or so, and brings with it bigger waves for some areas,
warmer water in the NE Pacific, and a change in wind patterns. It can be a good thing, or not, depending on
where you surf now or where you're planning to surf. And we're in one now, the fall/winter of 2009/2010.
For Central America, the more west-facing beaches will benefit from bigger surf. The too-strong offshore winds
that plague parts of Nicaragua and NW Costa Rica will be less strong. And water generally warmer. Get the full
rundown from Surfline.
The El Niño weather pattern comes every decade or so, and brings with it bigger waves for some areas,
warmer water in the NE Pacific, and a change in wind patterns. It can be a good thing, or not, depending on
where you surf now or where you're planning to surf. And we're in one now, the fall/winter of 2009/2010.
For Central America, the more west-facing beaches will benefit from bigger surf. The too-strong offshore winds
that plague parts of Nicaragua and NW Costa Rica will be less strong. And water generally warmer. Get the full
rundown from Surfline.
Nica Government Clearing Out Line-ups
Well, sort of. ProNicaragua, the government's official investment promotion agency is targeting the retirement
crowd: AARP. The strategy is to put attention on attracting seniors, rather than developers. The thinking is to
make the existing developers successful instead of attracting more developers for increased competition as
well as potential failures, especially in this economy.
If it works, it could be good for surfers. Retirees who surf generally have shorter sessions, which means fewer
surfers in the water per hour. And old guys are mellow and less aggro in the water. Better still, how many
retirees surf?
Well, sort of. ProNicaragua, the government's official investment promotion agency is targeting the retirement
crowd: AARP. The strategy is to put attention on attracting seniors, rather than developers. The thinking is to
make the existing developers successful instead of attracting more developers for increased competition as
well as potential failures, especially in this economy.
If it works, it could be good for surfers. Retirees who surf generally have shorter sessions, which means fewer
surfers in the water per hour. And old guys are mellow and less aggro in the water. Better still, how many
retirees surf?
Be Careful if Heading to San Juan del Sur
It was just a matter of time. Frequent San Juan del Sur visitors and residents have seen the signs - more glue
sniffers, the infamous rock-throwing guy, and increased "traditional" crimes - but one could say it's now official:
Crime is up in San Juan del Sur. The good news is the police are taking this seriously, so enforcement has
increased too, and maybe it's working. The first five months of 2009 all saw increases in reported crimes.
Since June, however, the rates have been down from 2008, but the increase in armed home invasions, with
shootings and beatings, is cause for caution and concern. The bottom line for surf travelers is, be careful if you
plan to stay in or near San Juan del Sur, especially if you plan to rent a house. These home break-in guys are
armed and not afraid to pull the trigger.
Follow these links to a couple of stories about recent home invasion robberies, with shooting and beatings.
Home invasion robbery, shooting, beating in San Juan del Sur.
Home invasion robbery in Remanso.
It was just a matter of time. Frequent San Juan del Sur visitors and residents have seen the signs - more glue
sniffers, the infamous rock-throwing guy, and increased "traditional" crimes - but one could say it's now official:
Crime is up in San Juan del Sur. The good news is the police are taking this seriously, so enforcement has
increased too, and maybe it's working. The first five months of 2009 all saw increases in reported crimes.
Since June, however, the rates have been down from 2008, but the increase in armed home invasions, with
shootings and beatings, is cause for caution and concern. The bottom line for surf travelers is, be careful if you
plan to stay in or near San Juan del Sur, especially if you plan to rent a house. These home break-in guys are
armed and not afraid to pull the trigger.
Follow these links to a couple of stories about recent home invasion robberies, with shooting and beatings.
Home invasion robbery, shooting, beating in San Juan del Sur.
Home invasion robbery in Remanso.
Police Shakedowns Get Serious
Paying off cops has always been part of the deal in Central America. They hide in the dark shade of a big tree
just over a hill or just outside town and just as you come into view, boom, they got ya. You didn't notice it, but
the speed limit dropped just before you reached that cop. The sign was difficult to see, or not even there, but
the 80km limit was now 40, and you gotta pay. Twenty bucks was the norm. It could be as high as $35, or as
low as $5, "lunch money." It wasn't enough to get too angry about, as it's part of the deal. Besides, the cops are
nice, get paid dirt, and often go over a month without a check while the government figures out something or
other. So whatever your travel budget was, you would add another $50 to cover shake-downs.
Now you need to quadruple that. They're hiding in school zones now, because the speed limit is only 25k, and
they're often part of 80km highways. And they don't always have signs. And the "fine" is typically around $75
bucks. "Fine" because that money goes into their pockets. You pay them on the spot, as you always have,
because if you don't they keep your license and send you back to Managua to pay your ticket at a bank. You're
not going to do that, as you just flew nine hours and you're going surfing. So you pay on the spot. Cash. Always
been that way, but the cost is much higher.
Then there's the scam where they say you did something you didn't. A favorite spot for that is at the T junction
between Tipitapa and Masaya. The charge is not applying your blinker. After you argue that enough the charge
morphs into not stopping at the line. (What line? It's dirt.) Since the cop has your license - always the first step
in the shakedown - you're screwed. That's a $40 fine.
Seventy-five here, forty there, that's over a hundred bucks before even screwing your fins in. What to do about
it? When going to and from the Managua airport don't take the Masaya route. Take the Highway 1 to the west
side of Managua. You have to cut across town, and you'll probably get lost, but you'll still have your shorts. And
some dignity.
Paying off cops has always been part of the deal in Central America. They hide in the dark shade of a big tree
just over a hill or just outside town and just as you come into view, boom, they got ya. You didn't notice it, but
the speed limit dropped just before you reached that cop. The sign was difficult to see, or not even there, but
the 80km limit was now 40, and you gotta pay. Twenty bucks was the norm. It could be as high as $35, or as
low as $5, "lunch money." It wasn't enough to get too angry about, as it's part of the deal. Besides, the cops are
nice, get paid dirt, and often go over a month without a check while the government figures out something or
other. So whatever your travel budget was, you would add another $50 to cover shake-downs.
Now you need to quadruple that. They're hiding in school zones now, because the speed limit is only 25k, and
they're often part of 80km highways. And they don't always have signs. And the "fine" is typically around $75
bucks. "Fine" because that money goes into their pockets. You pay them on the spot, as you always have,
because if you don't they keep your license and send you back to Managua to pay your ticket at a bank. You're
not going to do that, as you just flew nine hours and you're going surfing. So you pay on the spot. Cash. Always
been that way, but the cost is much higher.
Then there's the scam where they say you did something you didn't. A favorite spot for that is at the T junction
between Tipitapa and Masaya. The charge is not applying your blinker. After you argue that enough the charge
morphs into not stopping at the line. (What line? It's dirt.) Since the cop has your license - always the first step
in the shakedown - you're screwed. That's a $40 fine.
Seventy-five here, forty there, that's over a hundred bucks before even screwing your fins in. What to do about
it? When going to and from the Managua airport don't take the Masaya route. Take the Highway 1 to the west
side of Managua. You have to cut across town, and you'll probably get lost, but you'll still have your shorts. And
some dignity.
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Sandinista-sponsored Violence Limited - Not to Worry
April 2010 - Days after photos of angry citizens firing amateur mortar rounds into Managua's Holiday Inn
splashed newspaper front pages worldwide (well, primarily in the Americas) signs of violence or unrest are
nowhere to be seen (except at the Holiday Inn, of course). This writer has driven through Managua twice in the
past two weeks, and back and forth from the major surf zone in the southwest, and other than an early start to
the rainy season, all looks the same.
In other words, don't let those headlines fool you. Yes, Nicaragua has problems and political unrest, but
nothing to worry about. The news is bigger than the reality. Go surf. Enjoy the smaller crowds.
April 2010 - Days after photos of angry citizens firing amateur mortar rounds into Managua's Holiday Inn
splashed newspaper front pages worldwide (well, primarily in the Americas) signs of violence or unrest are
nowhere to be seen (except at the Holiday Inn, of course). This writer has driven through Managua twice in the
past two weeks, and back and forth from the major surf zone in the southwest, and other than an early start to
the rainy season, all looks the same.
In other words, don't let those headlines fool you. Yes, Nicaragua has problems and political unrest, but
nothing to worry about. The news is bigger than the reality. Go surf. Enjoy the smaller crowds.
"Sandinistas firing
mortars? The only firing I
see is this left barrel
about to hammer me. And
no one out!"
Reports of political
uprisings keeping the
crowds down in
Nicaragua. Maybe the
Sandinistas are really just
a bunch of surf-starved
locals looking to clear the
line-ups.
mortars? The only firing I
see is this left barrel
about to hammer me. And
no one out!"
Reports of political
uprisings keeping the
crowds down in
Nicaragua. Maybe the
Sandinistas are really just
a bunch of surf-starved
locals looking to clear the
line-ups.
Avoid Horses, Use Deet
Costa Rican authorities issued a warning due to an
outbreak of horse encephalitis, a viral disease which can
be transmitted to humans. The outcome of encephalitis
varies. Some cases are mild and short with full recovery.
Others are severe, and permanent impairment or death is
possible.
Encephalitis is not exceptionally unusual in NW Costa
Rica, Guanacaste, but the warning was issued because it
has been detected outside Guanacaste in the northern
zone as well as Panama to the south. Guanacaste and
the north border Nicaragua, and both borders have
stepped up cross-border horse transport monitoring.
Costa Rican authorities issued a warning due to an
outbreak of horse encephalitis, a viral disease which can
be transmitted to humans. The outcome of encephalitis
varies. Some cases are mild and short with full recovery.
Others are severe, and permanent impairment or death is
possible.
Encephalitis is not exceptionally unusual in NW Costa
Rica, Guanacaste, but the warning was issued because it
has been detected outside Guanacaste in the northern
zone as well as Panama to the south. Guanacaste and
the north border Nicaragua, and both borders have
stepped up cross-border horse transport monitoring.
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