Rule of Thumb on Safety in Nicaragua!!

[FisherCigarman]

This posting will get a bunch of different opinion(which is the goal).

The over all rule of thumb for a Safe Stay/Living in Nicaragua depends on a number of things, lets explore together these few things We ALL need to be aware of and opinion on a city by city basis..

It is very important to understand that Safety and Crime rate varies from City to City,however each city can have a few things/habits in common, lets start there.

One of the most important Safety aspects in all of Nicaragua is avoid Walking late at night no matter where in the Country you are, or what Race/country of origin you are,specially by yourself, this is inviting trouble. I would go on a limb and say anything after 10:PM is considered Late. Now for those who Drive can also be dangerous going into unknown Barrios/Neighborhood late at night. It would be wise to find out where the trouble Barrios are in the city you are staying, BTW, each City has their very own trouble Barrios, When you Firts get to a city any city in Nicaragua, Please go to that city's Tourist Department they can give you a Tons of Information about the city overall(at least Esteli does, ask and you shall receive, keep that in mind)

Getting your wallet out and flashing money(even in broad day light) is not a good thing, Now, this does not mean you will get Robbed if you Do, but in my humble opinion I would not recommend it.

Now I can give a few Tips on the City of Esteli:

Usually Esteli is ok to walk and go where ever you wish during the day,all Barrios included, of course it is better when there is more than one person, but one is ok IMHO.

Past 10:PM Esteli has a few trouble some spots, that I WILL NOT recommend you go at this time even on car, I will name a few. Oscar Gamez #1 and #2, El Rosario, La Chiriza, Nuevo Amanecer, El calvario, Panama Soberana. The above mentioned Barrios have some of the most notoriuos Pandillas that will not respect even cars when they are in a scuffle with another Pandilla(Gang)from another Barrio. Panama Soberana has no Pandillas at this time, however the entrance to this Barrio has a Ramp(small bridge called La Rampla) sometimes Pandillas from other Barrios hang out at the end of the Rampla,and will ocassionally start a fight.


Over the past 18 years that I have been going to Nicaragua(up to 5 times a year 2 weeks per trip)I have not had a single encounter with any pandillas or any bad experiences Knock on Wood,Granted I usually hardly ever walk, even so, I will hardly Ever Go to the Night Clubs by myself, and when I go Out on the weekends I come home about 2:00AM,Luckily for those who enjoy dancing, there is a few Discos right on the Panam Highway, one of my FAVs is "La Hacienda" and "Studio 51" these are very safe to go,even on foot,as long as your lodging is not to far from the Panam,the Hotels I can thing off the top on my head that are, right on or a few blocks from the PanNam Highway are "Hotel Alameda" about 3 blocks from the Panam, "Hotel Panorama" Right on the Panam, "Hotel Mirador La Torre" right on the Panam, but I think is still under construction. "Panorama #2 in about 5 blocks from the Panam, "Hotel Los Arcos about 8 blocks I think, If I missed any, maybe my fellow Estelianos can give me a hand.

I hope this help, my intentions are Not to scare any one, but rather helped them avoid any bad experiences in Nicaragua. Now those living in Other cities let us know what the situations on your particular cities are, based on your personnal experiences, rather than what you read on "El Nuevo Diario" or "La Prensa".

FAP

[Jonh]

Many thanks to Our Man in Esteli for some real-world common sense information.

La Hacienda is a super nice place to go. They have a clean swimming pool , at least two well-stocked bars, and do great children's parties. As for Studio 51, was that three studios before the famous one?

[FisherCigarman]

La Hacienda used to be "El Rancho De Pancho" and Studio 51, I think its studio 54 jaja ,same one on the Pam Am John :-), there is a new one called Key west Discoteque, it will be open very soon, its close to Centro Comercial Erwin

Many thanks to Our Man in Esteli for some real-world common sense information.

La Hacienda is a super nice place to go. They have a clean swimming pool , at least two well-stocked bars, and do great children's parties. As for Studio 51, was that three studios before the famous one?

[Jonh]

Erwin, by the way, is a great place to buy shoes. It's sort of the Shoe World of Esteli.

[beachesl]

Good advice FCM, I have been living in Esteli since May, and my rule of thumb is that most of the city west of the highway and east of the river is generally safe except in the dark. West of the river is especially dangerous after dark, and especially on Sundays when the drunks roam all day and night.

A common trick in Nicaragua is for a person on a bicycle to stop someone to ask for the time or 10 cordobas, and when the guy is distracted his partner(s) come out and rob. The stolen items, especially packs, are then taken by the guy on the bike and the oters run off. This happened to a Spanish girl two weeks ago right near the Parque Infantil, near where I live. This was on the radio, and I was surprised because it is a very safe neighbourhood (Heroes and Matires, east of the Calle Central). A few days later, a guy on a bike tried to stop me at 8:30 pm when I was on my way back with a small pack after I finished class. I did not fully realize it until 1 1/2 blocks later in front of my house, the security guard at the Warehouse across from the street (who saw what happened) warned me about the guy.

The other trick, especially common in Managua, is that on crowded public buses two guys will "accidentally" brush against the victim, and one will pickpocket. The victim is usually standing, try to sit down on crowded buses. This was attempted against me in Esteli on an Urbano bus at the 5:30 rush hour, but fortunately I had nothing in my pockets at the time.

[fed up brit]

Where would you recommend two, new to the country, non speaking spanish go when getting of the plane? looking for small quiet places, prefer beach, reasonably cheap hotel,B&B's Iv read so much about what NOT to do, am a bit freaked by what to do for best!! the intention was to come there,look around, see if we could find a cheap place with a bit of land to set up home,buy a dog plant a few veggies, go fishing, teach TEFL maybe, somewhere near a beach, am I expecting to much?Belize is looking really good right now LOL , give us a few tips you lot,nd please dont say stay here coz tickets are already booked! cheers

[fed up brit]

Where would you recommend two, new to the country, non speaking spanish go when getting of the plane? looking for small quiet places, prefer beach, reasonably cheap hotel,B&B's Iv read so much about what NOT to do, am a bit freaked by what to do for best!! the intention was to come there,look around, see if we could find a cheap place with a bit of land to set up home,buy a dog plant a few veggies, go fishing, teach TEFL maybe, somewhere near a beach, am I expecting to much?Belize is looking really good right now LOL , give us a few tips you lot,nd please dont say stay here coz tickets are already booked! cheers :

[fed up brit]

Where would you recommend two, new to the country, non speaking spanish go when getting of the plane? looking for small quiet places, prefer beach, reasonably cheap hotel,B&B's Iv read so much about what NOT to do, am a bit freaked by what to do for best!! the intention was to come there,look around, see if we could find a cheap place with a bit of land to set up home,buy a dog plant a few veggies, go fishing, teach TEFL maybe, somewhere near a beach, am I expecting to much?Belize is looking really good right now LOL , give us a few tips you lot,nd please dont say stay here coz tickets are already booked! cheers :

[Jonh]

The moment you step outside the airport you'll be accosted by several taxi drivers offering to take you anywhere you want.

A good start would be to go to Granada, which should cost something like US$30 in a taxi. You will find English speakers in Granada, and it's way more pleasant than Managua.

[FisherCigarman]

Another word of advise:

If you are a resident of Nicaragua,or a frequent visitor,wheter for please or missions,Stay the F**** out of politics,it could make you a target of opposing parties.
Live the politics for the Natives.