What's the language most often spoken in Nicaragua? Can I get by if I just speak English?

The most spoken language in Nicaragua is Spanish, spoken by 95% of the population. If you go to the Atlantic Coast, you will find some other languages in different communities, like Garifuna, Miskito and Nicaragua Creole English. 

 

If you only speak English and plan to live in Nicaragua full time, we do encourage that you learn the basics of the language to get around. Nicaraguans are very helpful and willing to assist you if we see a foreigner in...

The most spoken language in Nicaragua is Spanish, spoken by 95% of the population. If you go to the Atlantic Coast, you will find some other languages in different communities, like Garifuna, Miskito and Nicaragua Creole English. 

 

If you only speak English and plan to live in Nicaragua full time, we do encourage that you learn the basics of the language to get around. Nicaraguans are very helpful and willing to assist you if we see a foreigner in trouble or needing our help. However it's always good when you know at least the basics of the language in case you are in a remote village or main road and no one speaks English.

 

Many people who has retired or moved to Nicaragua for their businesses have come without knowing one word of Spanish, and after a month or two, they know the basics and have learned more than they ever thought they would. 

 

Nowadays, more and more Nicaraguans are learning English too, so in Managua, you will now find English speaking people working in stores, supermarkets, banks, and restaurants, so it's getting easier for foreigners to live here. 

I'm a strong believer that if you are moving to a new country, you should learn the language. Too often I have seen older people in my own country, Canada, immigrants - who cannot speak a word of English. They are left "outside" of the society in which they live.

 

The same thing goes if you move to Nicaragua.  Learn Spanish.  It will make life so much easier and you won't be "left outside" of the new world in which you...

I'm a strong believer that if you are moving to a new country, you should learn the language. Too often I have seen older people in my own country, Canada, immigrants - who cannot speak a word of English. They are left "outside" of the society in which they live.

 

The same thing goes if you move to Nicaragua.  Learn Spanish.  It will make life so much easier and you won't be "left outside" of the new world in which you choose to live.

You need to learn a little bit of Spanish in order to get by in Nicaragua. There are places that you would go to, especially in the government offices, where they speak little to no English. If you are going to any office that is run by the government, you must be able to speak Spanish or at least have an interpreter. Most expats in Leon, where I live, do know how to speak basic Spanish.  

 

(Baseball player, Wilton Lopez from Leon, Nicaragua,...

You need to learn a little bit of Spanish in order to get by in Nicaragua. There are places that you would go to, especially in the government offices, where they speak little to no English. If you are going to any office that is run by the government, you must be able to speak Spanish or at least have an interpreter. Most expats in Leon, where I live, do know how to speak basic Spanish.  

 

(Baseball player, Wilton Lopez from Leon, Nicaragua, pictured.) 

In Nicaragua, you can get by with just English because a lot of people here do speak English but it is not our main language. Our main language is Spanish. If you speak even just mediocre Spanish, you’ll certainly get by so at least try to learn mediocre Spanish. You want to be able to order in a restaurant even if you do it with little hand gestures because nobody will go out of their way to speak English for you.
 
I saw a couple of Asians who were really struggling and...

In Nicaragua, you can get by with just English because a lot of people here do speak English but it is not our main language. Our main language is Spanish. If you speak even just mediocre Spanish, you’ll certainly get by so at least try to learn mediocre Spanish. You want to be able to order in a restaurant even if you do it with little hand gestures because nobody will go out of their way to speak English for you.
 
I saw a couple of Asians who were really struggling and the guy tried speaking in English.  The girl at the counter tells him that she doesn’t understand what he’s saying so I intervened for him and he looked like he had the biggest relief ever. You do need Spanish because Nicaragua is a Spanish-speaking country, unless you go to the Atlantic side, where you can go and speak English all you want.
 
If you go to the expat areas, then you don’t have to speak Spanish. My husband has gotten around for 3 or 4 years here in Nicaragua without speaking ANY Spanish but he also had me. If you have somebody who can help you out then you’re good to go. Now my husband can speak mediocre Spanish; he can order stuff on the phone and make himself understood.

 

(Marissa Lolk's Danish husband dressed as a Viking representing Norway in a parade in Nicaragua, pictured.)

As a tourists you can get by just speaking English. However, to really enjoy the country at the people, culture and feel part of the community I would recommend that you learn the language. There are many language schools or individuals that can teach you and assist you in integrating. 

 

I am fortunate that my fiancee and I speak Spanish; therefore we hear more and understand our surroundings better. Yes, there are quite a few expats that have been here more...

As a tourists you can get by just speaking English. However, to really enjoy the country at the people, culture and feel part of the community I would recommend that you learn the language. There are many language schools or individuals that can teach you and assist you in integrating. 

 

I am fortunate that my fiancee and I speak Spanish; therefore we hear more and understand our surroundings better. Yes, there are quite a few expats that have been here more than 10 years that have picked up a few words, but have not fully embraced to learn the language. They still seem happy and are integrating well. But we have always made an effort to learn the local language.  It's fun and a great learning experience.

 

(Pictured: La Calzada, Granada, Nicaragua, at night.)