What are the expats like in Nicaragua?
Mike Cobb - ECI Development
Expats in Nicaragua vary widely, but there does seem to be an adventurous spirit running through most of them. People who choose to live in Nicaragua are people who want a more pioneering lifestyle. That said, as the U.S. west was explored, the settlers followed the pioneers and we are seeing a second wave of folks who want the amenities and infrastructure standard of North America, but the affordable quality of life Nicaragua makes possible to residents here.
Expats in Nicaragua vary widely, but there does seem to be an adventurous spirit running through most of them. People who choose to live in Nicaragua are people who want a more pioneering lifestyle. That said, as the U.S. west was explored, the settlers followed the pioneers and we are seeing a second wave of folks who want the amenities and infrastructure standard of North America, but the affordable quality of life Nicaragua makes possible to residents here.
Posted January 19, 2014
Lucy Valenti - Liv Nicaragua
Many of the expats in Nicaragua are Americans
and Canadians, with a few from Europe. Many are in what we would call in Nicaragua, their “third age”; between 50’s and 60’s. Many are professionals who have come here to retire but have found also other ways to spend their time doing something useful.
and Canadians, with a few from Europe. Many are in what we would call in Nicaragua, their “third age”; between 50’s and 60’s. Many are professionals who have come here to retire but have found also other ways to spend their time doing something useful. For example, some of the expats to Nicaragua have created businesses, perhaps in Granada, or purchased houses to rent to...
Many of the expats in Nicaragua are Americans and Canadians, with a few from Europe. Many are in what we would call in Nicaragua, their “third age”; between 50’s and 60’s. Many are professionals who have come here to retire but have found also other ways to spend their time doing something useful.
and Canadians, with a few from Europe. Many are in what we would call in Nicaragua, their “third age”; between 50’s and 60’s. Many are professionals who have come here to retire but have found also other ways to spend their time doing something useful. For example, some of the expats to Nicaragua have created businesses, perhaps in Granada, or purchased houses to rent to tourists. Some of them have created cafes. Many of the expats are people who came and fell in love with Nicaragua and decided to stay, and who then decided to do something additional with their time.
Nicaragua is a very friendly country. Some of the familiarity with foreigners comes from the history of Nicaragua. We have had three American interventions in the country, so we are very used to Americas in Nicaragua since our early history. Mark Twain was here and wrote some beautiful things about Nicaragua in general and specifically about the region he visited. Cornelius Vanderbilt had this famous transport route here when the Americans were looking for gold and couldn’t cross North America, so he found this route to cross from one coast to the other in the US through Nicaragua using the San Juan River.
Nicaragua is very used to foreign people and Nicaraguans are very friendly with foreign people. As soon as foreigners come, they are warmly received and I think very, very few foreigners have had any problem situating themselves here, because most people, when they come, really fall in love with Nicaragua and are at peace in the country.
Nicaragua is a very friendly country. Some of the familiarity with foreigners comes from the history of Nicaragua. We have had three American interventions in the country, so we are very used to Americas in Nicaragua since our early history. Mark Twain was here and wrote some beautiful things about Nicaragua in general and specifically about the region he visited. Cornelius Vanderbilt had this famous transport route here when the Americans were looking for gold and couldn’t cross North America, so he found this route to cross from one coast to the other in the US through Nicaragua using the San Juan River.
Nicaragua is very used to foreign people and Nicaraguans are very friendly with foreign people. As soon as foreigners come, they are warmly received and I think very, very few foreigners have had any problem situating themselves here, because most people, when they come, really fall in love with Nicaragua and are at peace in the country.
Posted July 9, 2014
Brett DeGreen - Century Twenty One Gold Coast Realty Nicaragua
There are only two generalizations I can 
make about the expats in Nicaragua:
make about the expats in Nicaragua: - They are people from all over the world, but they all have the same adventurous spirit.
- They ALL fall in love with Nicaragua!
All of my expat friends share the same passion and enthusiasm for their new home as I do. I have met expats from all over the world who have been inexplicably drawn to visit Nicaragua, ultimately being seduced to start a new life here.
... There are only two generalizations I can make about the expats in Nicaragua:
make about the expats in Nicaragua: - They are people from all over the world, but they all have the same adventurous spirit.
- They ALL fall in love with Nicaragua!
All of my expat friends share the same passion and enthusiasm for their new home as I do. I have met expats from all over the world who have been inexplicably drawn to visit Nicaragua, ultimately being seduced to start a new life here.
Nicaragua has a variety of locations to suit many different personalities, so you will find expats of all different personalities to match. Some areas cater to those who like the city life, late night parties, international dining and beaches where you can see as well as be seen.
I, as well as my friends, have chosen the northern Pacific coast. The surf starts early, the beaches are often for your eyes only, and the party often consists of just a few close friends enjoying great food, drinks and each other's company as we gaze at yet another amazing sunset.
Posted July 17, 2014
Juan Carlos Espinosa - Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Ecolodge & Spa
The expats in Nicaragua are friendly. They have to be, because the native Nicaraguans are very friendly. Either the friendliness of the native Nicaraguans rubs off on you as an expat, or you don’t like it and you leave.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua are from North America (mostly from the US), followed by Europe (mostly from France, Italy, and Spain).
The expats in Nicaragua are friendly. They have to be, because the native Nicaraguans are very friendly. Either the friendliness of the native Nicaraguans rubs off on you as an expat, or you don’t like it and you leave.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua are from North America (mostly from the US), followed by Europe (mostly from France, Italy, and Spain).
Posted August 7, 2014
Indiana Siu - Operation Smile Nicaragua
Most of the expats here in Nicaragua are from the US, although some are from Europe. All the expats in Nicaragua are really nice.
Some of them have “turned hippie”. Many of them look for undeveloped places in Nicaragua and to seek out nature. Many expats in Nicaragua chill out, some a bit more than others, to the extent of going into the mountains and staying there.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua...
Most of the expats here in Nicaragua are from the US, although some are from Europe. All the expats in Nicaragua are really nice.
Some of them have “turned hippie”. Many of them look for undeveloped places in Nicaragua and to seek out nature. Many expats in Nicaragua chill out, some a bit more than others, to the extent of going into the mountains and staying there.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua love Granada and live in Granada for many reasons, including that Granada is close to water, its colonial, and it doesn’t have buildings taller than 3 stories.
The expats in Nicaragua are “living life past five”. They’re not running, rushing to anything, or stressed out about anything. They’re just chilling out.
Posted August 12, 2014
Tanya Hartill - NicaTour Group
I found the expats in Nicaragua to be very helpful, very willing to connect, and all basically have said, "I wish I had come here sooner." Most expats I've known in Nicaragua are from the United States, but there are other nationalities of expats living in Nicaragua from places like Europe and Canada.
Typically, the expats who retire in Nicaragua are older, about 50 years old and above, but you do see a younger crowd who are probably taking timeout to...
Typically, the expats who retire in Nicaragua are older, about 50 years old and above, but you do see a younger crowd who are probably taking timeout to...
I found the expats in Nicaragua to be very helpful, very willing to connect, and all basically have said, "I wish I had come here sooner." Most expats I've known in Nicaragua are from the United States, but there are other nationalities of expats living in Nicaragua from places like Europe and Canada.
Typically, the expats who retire in Nicaragua are older, about 50 years old and above, but you do see a younger crowd who are probably taking timeout to travel.
The expats in Nicaragua are a mix of couples and singles. There are also people who move to Nicaragua to start a business, because it's easy to start businesses like restaurants, bars, and hotels in Nicaragua. There are also startup property developers who see the potential in this wonderful country of Nicaragua.
Typically, the expats who retire in Nicaragua are older, about 50 years old and above, but you do see a younger crowd who are probably taking timeout to travel.
The expats in Nicaragua are a mix of couples and singles. There are also people who move to Nicaragua to start a business, because it's easy to start businesses like restaurants, bars, and hotels in Nicaragua. There are also startup property developers who see the potential in this wonderful country of Nicaragua.
Posted August 26, 2014
Maria Acosta
I am very appreciative of the expats who I personally know here in Nicaragua because they tend to do something for the community. Rather than just lounging on the beach, they are very involved in what’s happening inside the country.
I think the expats from the States are not like Nicaraguans, who are very class-conscious people. Generally, I like the expats here in Nicaragua. Maybe I’m biased because I lived in the States before and I’m very used...
I am very appreciative of the expats who I personally know here in Nicaragua because they tend to do something for the community. Rather than just lounging on the beach, they are very involved in what’s happening inside the country.
I think the expats from the States are not like Nicaraguans, who are very class-conscious people. Generally, I like the expats here in Nicaragua. Maybe I’m biased because I lived in the States before and I’m very used to American people.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua are Americans and Europeans. In Granada, most of the expats are retired. In San Juan del Sur, you’ll see a much younger crowd, some of whom are young professionals from the US who decided to take a break from their hometown’s busy lifestyle. I can see some young families in San Juan del Sur and a few of them opened their own businesses. On the Central Pacific Coast, like in Gran Pacifica and in Montecristo, most of the expats are retired Americans. In the past few past years, more and more expats have also been interested in going to Leon.
Most of the expats in Nicaragua are Americans and Europeans. In Granada, most of the expats are retired. In San Juan del Sur, you’ll see a much younger crowd, some of whom are young professionals from the US who decided to take a break from their hometown’s busy lifestyle. I can see some young families in San Juan del Sur and a few of them opened their own businesses. On the Central Pacific Coast, like in Gran Pacifica and in Montecristo, most of the expats are retired Americans. In the past few past years, more and more expats have also been interested in going to Leon.
Posted September 10, 2014
Malena Kruger
The expats in Nicaragua are mostly friendly.
Some have businesses like the restaurant Ola Verde by the owner Carla Fjeld from California or the new beautiful Bed and Breakfast Timeless Hotel Boutique by Mr. Lindsay Heier from Canada. They can honestly say that living in Nicaragua has its benefits, for example, being the safest country in Central America.
The expats that I know are wonderful people.
Some have businesses like the restaurant Ola Verde by the owner Carla Fjeld from California or the new beautiful Bed and Breakfast Timeless Hotel Boutique by Mr. Lindsay Heier from Canada. They can honestly say that living in Nicaragua has its benefits, for example, being the safest country in Central America.
The expats that I know are wonderful people.
The expats in Nicaragua are mostly friendly.
Some have businesses like the restaurant Ola Verde by the owner Carla Fjeld from California or the new beautiful Bed and Breakfast Timeless Hotel Boutique by Mr. Lindsay Heier from Canada. They can honestly say that living in Nicaragua has its benefits, for example, being the safest country in Central America.
The expats that I know are wonderful people.
Some have businesses like the restaurant Ola Verde by the owner Carla Fjeld from California or the new beautiful Bed and Breakfast Timeless Hotel Boutique by Mr. Lindsay Heier from Canada. They can honestly say that living in Nicaragua has its benefits, for example, being the safest country in Central America.
The expats that I know are wonderful people.
Posted October 10, 2014
Daniel Bolanos - Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan´s Rock
There are different types of expats in Nicaragua. Mainly you will see hippies, surfers and people who come here to set up businesses, such as companies that provide tours. Most of the expats live in places like San Juan Del Sur, Granada, Leon, or in Tola, but not that many live in the city of Managua. You will not see too many expats or tourists in Managua proper.
Every once in a while, you will see expats who are investors who want to buy...
There are different types of expats in Nicaragua. Mainly you will see hippies, surfers and people who come here to set up businesses, such as companies that provide tours. Most of the expats live in places like San Juan Del Sur, Granada, Leon, or in Tola, but not that many live in the city of Managua. You will not see too many expats or tourists in Managua proper.
Every once in a while, you will see expats who are investors who want to buy properties and build condominiums. Some of them buy properties here in Nicaragua, so that they are able to come here whenever they want.
Posted March 22, 2015
Carolyn Membreño - León Travel Bureau
The expats here in Nicaragua are different from town to town. The expats in San Juan Del Sur tend to believe, “I am here and I am going to make Nicaragua fit my needs,” whereas expats in Leon or Estelí, for example, have more of an attitude of, “Well, if it is not available, then we’ll just have to adapt to what’s here.” The expats in Managua also tend to adapt to their surroundings and go with the flow. For...
The expats here in Nicaragua are different from town to town. The expats in San Juan Del Sur tend to believe, “I am here and I am going to make Nicaragua fit my needs,” whereas expats in Leon or Estelí, for example, have more of an attitude of, “Well, if it is not available, then we’ll just have to adapt to what’s here.” The expats in Managua also tend to adapt to their surroundings and go with the flow. For the most part, expats here in Nicaragua are friendly. There are many who I’ve spoken with who tell me they do not like to just stay with other expats; they like to blend in with the society and not get too involved with other expat drama. There are also others who live a very active expat life; they hangout, the have monthly meetings, etc.
I am the administrator of the Leon expat group on Facebook and I get to talk with a lot of the expats here. We get together and we have lunch or dinner once in a while but we are not actively trying to be at each other’s house or socialize every weekend or go bowling every week. The expats in Leon kind of keep to themselves.
(Woman standing on a rooftop in Leon, Nicaragua.)
Posted January 25, 2016