Is Managua, Nicaragua safe?

Managua, Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America. Its a very calm city and we do not hear much of robbery or murders.

Managua, Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America. Its a very calm city and we do not hear much of robbery or murders.

The first time I went to Managua, Nicaragua, I'll be honest, I was afraid.  I was very careful about taxis, noting what was a legal taxi etc.,  I stayed in a wonderful little hotel in Managua and it was like an oasis in the city.  I eventually ventured out of the hotel property, further and further into the city.  I've never had a problem.  I take buses, I take taxis, I go shopping.  I never dress wearing ultra fancy jewelry and clothes because I'm used...

The first time I went to Managua, Nicaragua, I'll be honest, I was afraid.  I was very careful about taxis, noting what was a legal taxi etc.,  I stayed in a wonderful little hotel in Managua and it was like an oasis in the city.  I eventually ventured out of the hotel property, further and further into the city.  I've never had a problem.  I take buses, I take taxis, I go shopping.  I never dress wearing ultra fancy jewelry and clothes because I'm used to traveling and one doesn't want to be a magnet.

 

Over the years, I've traveled everywhere in Nicaragua and never had a problem.  I'm female and often travel by myself.  I stay aware of my surroundings and don't flaunt "wealth."  Personally, there's never been a problem.  Petty thieves can be found everywhere in the world. I've been a victim of theft in Toronto, but never Nicaragua.  Is Managua safe?.Yes, definitely.

In general terms Managua is a safe capital city, especially in comparison with the capital cities of some other Latin American countries.

 

The police have identified some of the areas of greatest criminal activity, so it will be useful to be aware of those areas and not to visit them, especially at night. It is advisable to keep a low profile and to stay in a nice hotel.  This doesn't mean a fancy hotel, just one in a safe area.

 

In general terms Managua is a safe capital city, especially in comparison with the capital cities of some other Latin American countries.

 

The police have identified some of the areas of greatest criminal activity, so it will be useful to be aware of those areas and not to visit them, especially at night. It is advisable to keep a low profile and to stay in a nice hotel.  This doesn't mean a fancy hotel, just one in a safe area.

 

Personally, I never been robbed in Nicaragua.

In my 5 years of living in Managua I've never experienced a situation where I felt unsafe. During the first 2 years I didn't have a car, so I would use taxis a lot, and also the Mini Express busses to travel either within Managua, or between cities. 

 

If you apply common sense, like not walking the streets alone at night, or wearing expensive jewelry and designer clothes when visiting a market, you should be perfectly safe in Nicaragua.

 

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In my 5 years of living in Managua I've never experienced a situation where I felt unsafe. During the first 2 years I didn't have a car, so I would use taxis a lot, and also the Mini Express busses to travel either within Managua, or between cities. 

 

If you apply common sense, like not walking the streets alone at night, or wearing expensive jewelry and designer clothes when visiting a market, you should be perfectly safe in Nicaragua.

 

One thing that is certainly different than Europe, where I come from, is the housing situation. I've been told many times that you cannot leave your house unattended. When you go out, you always need someone in your house, either a family member, maid or gardener, or - ideally - a guard.

 

In the condominium where I live, we have a guard 24/7, which makes it very easy to be out and about without having to worry about your belongings at home. We hardly ever lock our door when we go out for the day.

Is Washington DC safe? Is New York safe?

 

Any place can be dangerous if you are careless and/or unaware of your surroundings.  There are places I won't go in Managua after dark, but there are places in NYC that the native New Yorkers avoid after dark also. My wife and I live in a gated community, so we do have that protection.  We will go out to a movie, or for supper and get back home about 10 pm without problems, but I drive differently after dark than...

Is Washington DC safe? Is New York safe?

 

Any place can be dangerous if you are careless and/or unaware of your surroundings.  There are places I won't go in Managua after dark, but there are places in NYC that the native New Yorkers avoid after dark also. My wife and I live in a gated community, so we do have that protection.  We will go out to a movie, or for supper and get back home about 10 pm without problems, but I drive differently after dark than I do in the daylight.  For instance, I will not wait at a stoplight until it turns green if there is no traffic coming from the cross roads. I always have my cell phone with me when I drive in the evening. I stick to main roads, even if it means a longer drive home. In other words, I use common sense when out and about.