Nicaragua, I was so excited to visit this country. The friendly people, the volcanoes to climb, adventures to have, the food and of course how cheap everything was rumored to be.
But first we have to leave Honduras and handle the bureaucracy of crossing into a new country.
Even a week before entering Nicaragua the forms begin. To enter Nicaragua you need to fill out the Nicaraguan Migration form informing your entry to the country. It can be found at the following address:
https://solicitudes.migob.gob.ni/.P
This form has to be done. We know friends that did not fill it out and it cost them hours and one even a night at the border. The best thing to do is fill it out with your best guess on the day you’ll arrive. Before COVID-19 travelers had to fill out this form so if your reading this in a future without COVID tests you’ll still have to fill out something.
After receiving a confirmation email you will be instructed to reply with your negative RT-PCR COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours before crossing.
This is the way we did it and we got through smoothly, in 3.5 hours!
We crossed at the La Fraternidad / El Espino border.
Honduras Border Zone
Before entering the Honduran border zone two police officers wanted to see our passports, pet papers, TIP, and Danny’s license. They very briefly looked in the van and sent us on our way.
We went through the first check, he needed the original TIP and a copy of the TIP. The official wrote something on the TIP then told us to take it to the Aduana.
Next is the health shack, makeshift for COVID-19. We gave them a copy of our negative RT-PCR COVID-19 tests. Our temperates were checked and we were given a small paper that says our temperature with a stamp.
Immigration time. The officer wanted one person at a time our passports, the Nicaraguan precheck form, a copy of the COVID-19 test and the small health shack paper. They took our fingerprints, like when we arrived in Honduras. Stamped out of Honduras!
Aduana time. The very friendly Aduana officer wanted the TIP (temporary vehicle import permit), Danny’s passport, and the receipt of TIP. She stamped out the TIP on Danny’s passport.
We went to a small corner store to get copies of the passport cancelled page, main page and cancelled TIP.
All done in Honduras!!
Nicaragua Border Zone
As soon as we enter we are pulled off to check if our papers are in order. They checked our passports, van registration, RT-PCR COVID-19 tests and Nicaraguan precheck form. These officers gave us the declaration form to fill out.
As we stopped to head down to the health shack an officer fumigated the outside of the van, it cost $5.50USD.
Health shack. The nurses needed our original RT-PCR COVID-19 test, address for us in Nicaragua, and our passport numbers. They gave us little papers with a stamp and our temperatures on them (no one ever asked for these).
While we waited in the health shack we filled out the declaration form (always have a pen).
We repacked next to immigration and the Aduana guy immediately came to us to check out declaration form. He checked out van and wrote a few things on our form, good to go.
Immigration time. Border official motioned us forward, past the line, then asked for our passports and precheck.
He asked how long we want to be in Nicaragua and where we’ll go. We told him we got an extension and we are heading south whenever Costa Rica opens.
We bought car insurance for $12USD he took copies of title and insurance to fill out his forms. Gave us back our policy.
Border official gave us back our passports told us to go to the lady at the cash register to pay for entering. We gave her our passports and $13USD each.
The border official gave us back two small papers, one a stamp and another paper with Danny’s name. We got 90 days in Nicaragua! We feel it was the best decision to renew our visas in El Salvador now.
We headed to IPSA for the pet paperwork. The officials needed copies and originals of the rabies papers and a health certificate. They also wanted to check out our pets. The only thing was there were street dogs barking at Sombrita making this pretty stressful so make sure they are ready to look at your pet before you bring them over. The official check out Sombrita and Graham, outside. We paid $10USD per animal, could have also paid in Cordoba. They gave us back a packet for both animals, they are imported!
Aduana time. We went to the registers across from immigration. The officials took originals of Danny’s license, passport, registration and title. This is big, many people get turned back here if they do not have the original title. I have heard of them accepting very good color copies. We received our TIP! Good to get away from the border zone and into Nicaragua!