Nicaragua: Overland Nicaragua and the Border Crossing from Honduras

Border Crossing from Honduras (Los Manos) to Nicaragua:

At this border there seems a lot of graft and corruption. People posing as officers. Everyone with their hand out for a tip.


  1. 1.Trucks are lined up on both sides of the road.


  1. 2.Warning: A person posing as an ‘officer’, not in uniform but with ID around his neck will meet you and collect Passport, Drivers Licence, and Vehicle Papers. This person is a trout and will want payment for his services. We had to pay US$20 for the group of 3 vehicles. He basically lied to us posing as a customs officer. You can do the process yourself.


  1. 3.Take Passport and Drivers Licence to ADUANA Las MANOS on the left, 3rd door down from Office Migration. ( To the left of CONTABILEDAD ?)

  2. 4.The real official will then inspect the vehicles.

  3. 5.Then follow him up to Military Inspection.


  1. 6.Then follow to a parking area for Fumigation where the vehicles were sprayed. US$3.50/vehicle.

  2. 7.Third party Insurance US$12/vehicle

  3. 8.A Nicaraguan officer then met us and gave papers to complete. US$3 each







  1. 9.Then to Nicaraguan immigration where passports are stamped.

  2. 10.For vehicles you need original Passport, Drivers Licence, and Registration Papers.

  3. 11.Vehicle inspection.

  4. 12.Final payment was for road tax US$1.00 !



Travel in Nicaragua:

The local currency is the Cordovas.  Exchange rate: C24=US$1 (Nov 2012).

The Nicaraguan people are friendly, the country green and fertile. We see more people on horse drawn carts than anywhere else in Central America.


Nicaragua Driving:

The main bitumen roads are good with lesser roads being ‘ordinary’

It is interesting to note that drivers indicate on the left hand side for you to pass, but always make your own decision.


Camping:

It is possible to camp in the Puma and other Fuel Stations for a nominal fee. These are used by the transport trucks and are very safe with patrolling guards.  The cost was around $2 per vehicle, not bad as you get a toilet thrown in, as well as a safe and secure place to park for the night.  You just have to get used to hearing air brakes all night as Semi-trailers come and go.

Once we stayed in a hotel car park, and other times were offered space for free by welcoming locals.

it is difficult to find free camping as most properties and entries to quarries fenced.


Food:

The supermarket chain Maxi Pali has a fair variety, including meat.

Eating out is inexpensive and we paid around  $4 - $6 for main meals.


Fuel:

Diesel was C30/Lt or US$1.24.

Water:


Internet:


For more informations see: http://www.drivetheamericas.com/nicaragua


For our actual Travel Diary through Nicaragua see: 2012 GoannaTracks Across Nicaragua

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