Retire In Nicaragua: 8 Pros And Cons

Written by Glen in Central America

Nicaragua is both beautiful and inexpensive, which is why so many foreigners choose it as their retirement destination. In this article we’ll go over some of the benefits and drawbacks of retiring to Nicaragua so you can make an informed decision.

Here are the Pros and Cons of retiring to Nicaragua:

Pros:

  • Friendly & Happy People
  • Laid Back and Vibrant Lifestyle
  • Vibrant Culture
  • Cheap Accommodation
  • Very Safe And Secure
  • Great Weather

Cons:

  • Infrastructure For Tourism Is Lacking
  • Hot Water Is Uncommon

These are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before retiring to Nicaragua. Look below if you would like to know these points in detail.

Introduction To Nicaragua

Nicaragua has grown in popularity as a vacation destination and a destination for expats from North America and other nations in recent years. This Central American country is bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua is recognized for having a lot of natural wonders to explore.  So if you’re looking for a retirement full of out door adventure, it’s certainly the place for you.

Granada, Managua, and Leon are the primary cities where people frequently relocate. Each city has its unique set of advantages.  No matter which one you choose, you’ll be close to volcanoes, mountains, beaches (several of which are recognized for their excellent surfing) and islands to explore. Furthermore the cities themselves provide the hustle and bustle that you may be looking for. 

Granada has a population of 120,000 people while Leon has a population of roughly double that. You can choose your city based on your preferred pace of life and culture whether it’s Granada’s history and beautiful colonial architecture or Leon’s fine art scene.

Some like city living and others are yearning for a beach lifestyle. Some people just want to relocate to a different country to start a new life. Nicaragua has something for everyone and is very easy  to relocate to with an easy non financial visa available.

What are the Pros of Living in Nicaragua?

Friendly & Happy People

Nicaraguans may be among the world’s happiest and friendliest people. This country is becoming increasingly diverse as a result of a growing mix of cultures and peoples from all over the world, particularly from South America. With such a diverse population you will never feel out of place in Nicaragua.  It is the ideal spot to visit if you want to experience the wonderful sense of community that the country has to offer.

Even in major cities such as Grenada residents enjoy walking out of their homes and strolling through parks at night. You’ll see many groups of people as you get out and about including lots of families. At any park people can be found playing soccer and having picnics with their friends. Individuals frequently take day trips because of the inexpensive cost of buses, as we will explore later.

Even though locals in some rural places rarely see foreigners, they will constantly strive to assist you along the journey. They will be friendly to you as long as you are friendly to them. 

TIP: It’s best not to bring up your age or how much money you make because Nicaraguans dislike discussing these topics.

Laid Back and Vibrant Lifestyle

Because of its unique geographical location Nicaragua provides a wide range of activities.   From safe volcanic mountain climbing to resting on white sand beaches on the country’s south and west coasts. Nicaragua is also home to a diverse range of wildlife. There are designated national parks where you may see the country’s indigenous plants and animals like the weirdly named spider monkey.

Nicaraguans are cheerful people who enjoy celebrating any occasion. They are open, friendly, hospitable, and hardworking. Nicaraguans’ friendliness is one of their most distinguishing characteristics. 

They are always prepared to help and show kindness. Nicaraguans are quite social and because of their simple way of life they are always willing to sit and converse with others and spend a moment with them. Shaking hands, kissing on the cheek, patting the shoulder — these are all socially acceptable ways of interacting.

Here are a few places you can visit on your day off in Nicaragua:

TIP: Use the word “atracción” on Google Maps to find more attractions in Nicaragua.

Vibrant Culture

Nicaragua has a rich cultural past that has been impacted by Iberian and Amerindian cultures. Spain colonized half of the country and the Spanish influence can still be felt today. Nicaraguan culture resembles that of other Latin American countries in many aspects but it is also a melting pot of civilizations due to the impact of the surrounding Native American tribes.

You can never run out of fiestas In Nicaragua. Annual fiestas are conducted in honor of the saints and these fiestas are joyous occasions for celebration like Battle of San Jacinto day and Independence Day. 

There are frequently parades, dances, and rituals, which are followed by rockets, firecrackers, and late-night partying. It is a sight to behold if you happen to be in Nicaragua during one of these local fiestas. It’s fascinating to observe a piece of local culture and learn about the origins of the fiestas.

Cheap Accomodations

Properties in Nicaragua are one of the cheapest in the central Americas. Buying or renting in Nicaragua is very cheap compared to what you usually pay in the United States. If you’re looking for anything really cheap, you can go to Facebook Marketplace. 

Select your selected city as your filter (for example Managua), then click on Property Rentals or House Sales. Remember that all prices will be in Nicaraguan córdoba. A studio apartment in the capital city of Managua will set you back around $182 USD per month while a three-bedroom apartment in the same city will set you back around $384 USD.

TIP: If you want to know more about prices check this article Retire To Nicaragua: The Cost of Explained.

When looking for a place to buy you’ll be dealing directly with the owners. If you’re buying a house in any country make sure you get legal advice prior to purchase..

For purchases or long-term leases it is always safer to go through a real estate agent, and I will give a few for you to consider below. They’ll let you know about any local rules, fees, or taxes that apply and make sure the property has a proper title deed.

Some Real Estates You Could Check If You’d Like To Buy Property In Nicaragua:

NOTE: You can also check this article to know Retire To Nicaragua: The 5 Best Places To Retire In Nicaragua and find out what is the best city for you!

Very Safe and Secure

Nicaraguans are noted for their friendliness toward foreigners and the country has lower crime rates than its Central American neighbors in some areas. While petty crime is a problem in some locations, violent crime rates in Nicaragua are significantly lower than in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. 

Although Nicaragua is considered very safe for foreigners, you should still follow basic personal security like you would in any other city in the world. Avoid wandering alone after dark wondering down dark alleys when you are outside of the city center wearing  expensive jewelry and flashing your cash.

Always check your local country travel advisory before travelling to any country.

LINK: US State Department Travel Advisory for Nicaragua

Great Weather

Temperature: 20°C to 32°C / 70°F to 90°F

Nicaragua has a constant climate that is suited for all visitors. It has a subtropical climate which means it is less humid than countries further south which is good news for those of you who don’t like extreme heat. While the average temperature of Nicaragua is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  If you like the cooler weather there are attractive places in the highlands to consider retiring to which is similar to San Diego.

There are two seasons in Nicaragua which are the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season runs from June to October, with October being the wettest and around 70% humidity. Medium to torrential rains that last several days are not uncommon in October. Temperatures in this season often vary from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Surfers choose to visit Nicaragua during the rainy season because the surges are stronger and the surfing is better.

November through the end of May is the dry season with about 55% humidity, with May being the hottest and driest month. It becomes exceedingly windy and a little dry as the months pass without a drop of rain. Plan your vacation after October if you’re wanting to avoid the  “worst weather” months to see how you’ll like living there. 

The months of December, February, June, and August are perfect for visiting. During these months Nicaragua looks green and beautiful, with forests loaded with leaves and flowers spilling over gates and decorating patios everywhere.  The deciduous trees’ leaves fall off in the dry season just as they do in Autumn in the USA. 

What are the Cons of Living in Nicaragua?

Infrastructure For Tourism Is Lacking

Tourism is a relatively new industry in Nicaragua. As a result there isn’t the kind of well-developed infrastructure that most Americans expect when they travel.  Such as a wide range of hotels, tour operators, English explanations at attractions, or clearly designated signage.  Personally I like it without these things as it makes it more authentic rather than just another place in the world. 

Those elements will almost certainly arise when tourism becomes a more permanent part of the local culture, but they aren’t there right now. But you don’t have to worry because since early 2020, the Nicaraguan government has been doing a lot of development especially for tourism infrastructure and hospitality so that foreign visitors might feel safer here. 

Hot Water Is Uncommon

Hot water is very scarce in Nicaragua unless you are staying in some of the well known global brand hotels in the country. Although hot water is not really necessary considering the tropical weather of Nicaragua which makes regular water so refreshing. And if you still want hot water in Nicaragua you can have them installed at your residence very cheaply.

Here Are Some Other Great Places You Can Retire On A Budget

Here are some other places with similar low costs of living that are safe and offer great lifestyles with large expat communities that you might want to consider looking at.

Recent Posts