What you should know to travel to Nicaragua?

Nicaragua Location

Central America, between the Caribbean Sea (East), the Pacific Ocean (West), Honduras (North) and Costa Rica (South). Geographic coordinates: 13:00 North, 85:00 West.

WHAT’S NEW ON NICARAGUA ENTRY PROTOCOLS 

The Government of Nicaragua has announced a key change to its travel protocols. Effective Thursday, June 16, 2022, fully-vaccinated travelers to Nicaragua will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test to enter the country.

Vaccinated travelers

The change in protocols states that travelers of all ages and nationalities should only provide at any of the country’s entry ports their vaccination card of two doses or more, independently of the year they were vaccinated.

In addition, those who have received two different doses or have applied only one shot of Sputnik Light or Janssen/J&J will also be eligible for entering with their vaccine card, record, or certificate.

Unvaccinated travelers

Unvaccinated travelers —both children and adults — will require a negative test that should be made within 72 hours prior to arrival. Those who are flying from Asia, Oceania, and Africa will have 92 hours before arriving to make their test.

The only test accepted is RT-PCR. All unvaccinated travelers will have to present digital or printed test results when arriving at the country’s border.

Accepted vaccine

All vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and by the Government of Nicaragua: Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Soberana 02, Abdala, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, and Coviran.

What happens if a traveler shows signs of a fever or respiratory symptoms?

International tourists who have fever or respiratory symptoms upon arrival will not be allowed to enter the country.
Nicaragua nationals who have a fever or respiratory symptoms will be allowed to enter the country and be sent to observe a strict quarantine, in keeping with to the biosafety protocol established by the Ministry of Health.

Is it necessary to fill out a form to enter the country?

Non-nationals will have to complete an online immigration form that is available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is recommended to complete this form at least 7 days before arrival.

The COVID-19 Protocols are sanctioned by the Government of Nicaragua through the Ministry of Health (MINSA).

What you need to know to schedule and receive your Covid-19 test results online in Nicaragua?

On March 16th, The Nicaragua Ministry of Health (MINSA), launched an online system that allows travelers to electronically schedule PCR-Covid-19 tests prior to travel outside of Nicaragua.

During the launch of the online system, the Secretary-General of the Nicaragua Ministry of Health, Carlos Sáenz explained that the test is administered at the Concepción Palacios Healthcare Complex in Managua

Schedule:

Monday- Friday
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Tel: 2264-7630 ; 2264-7730, ext: 1388

When will the results be delivered? 

COVID-19 test results are delivered from 3:00pm to 5:00pm the day the test was administered. Test results can be obtained electronically through the Ministry of Health COVID-19 testing system or in person at the Concepción Palacios Healthcare Complex in Managua.

What is the online link to schedule and view results of a COVID-19 test in Nicaragua?

https://serviciosenlinea.minsa.gob.ni/servicios/#/laboratorio

Process to schedule a COVID-19 test:

STEP 1: Select the icon that says, “Registration for a COVID-19 test” (REGISTRO PARA PRUEBAS COVID-19) this will take you to a lab registration intake form.

STEP 2: Fill in the registration form with general information of the traveler (name and surname, travel document number, telephone number, date of birth, address, or hotel)

STEP 3: Select the date that you would like to schedule your COVID-19 test.

Note: All COVID-19 tests must me taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to traveling.

STEP 4: After filling in the registration form save it and you will receive a confirmation message stating that you have successfully scheduled your COVID-19 test.

Note: Once saved the traveler must download or print his or her registration form and present it at the Concepción Palacios Healthcare Complex in Managua the day of the test.

STEP 5:  On the day that the test will be administered please present a valid travel document (ID or passport) copy of the online registration form and the COVID-19 test payment voucher.

Note: COVID-19 tests can be paid online through an electronic bank transfer, at any branch of BANPRO bank or at the Concepción Palacios Healthcare Complex.

Process to download COVID-19 test results:

STEP 1: Using the Nicaragua Ministry of Health COVID-19 online testing system select the icon that says “Results” (RESULTADOS).

STEP 2: Enter the number of the travel document you used to schedule your test as well as the sample code you were given when the test was administered.

STEP 3: Select the language and click download.

To view or download the validation of the document, click on Validation, add the unique validation code that is found at the bottom of the document, that way the result of the person who took the test will be shown.

Process to validate COVID-19 test results:

STEP 1: Using the Nicaragua Ministry of Health COVID-19 online testing system select the icon that says “validation” (Validación).

STEP 2: Enter the Unique validation Number (Bar code) located at the bottom of your test results and click the validate button.

Are there commercial flights to Nicaragua?

Nicaragua does not have an imposed lockdown or curfew. Once a traveler has fulfilled all the biosafety requirement to enter Nicaragua, they are free to move about the country, but follow up calls from the Ministry of Health personnel should be expected throughout their stay and authorities encourage all travelers to follow COVID-19 biosafety measures such as: face masks, constant hand washing, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and social distancing.

Are there commercial flights to Nicaragua?

Yes. You can fly to Managua via Miami, Houston, Ford Lauderdale, San Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico and Panamá with Avianca, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Aeroméxico, Copa Airlines and SANSA.

Flights schedules are as follow: