How are Americans in Managua, Nicaragua treated? How are expats in Managua, Nicaragua treated generally?
Aaron Skelly
In my experience living here in Managua, Americans are treated very well! Nicaraguans are usually happy to start up a conversation about their relatives living in the states, or to practice their English with you. The people are very warm and friendly no matter your nationality. I have made a number of local Nicaraguan friends in my time living here in-country.
In my experience living here in Managua, Americans are treated very well! Nicaraguans are usually happy to start up a conversation about their relatives living in the states, or to practice their English with you. The people are very warm and friendly no matter your nationality. I have made a number of local Nicaraguan friends in my time living here in-country.
Posted April 2, 2014
Arlen Pérez - Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas
What I heard from most Americans here is that they enjoy being in Nicaragua because they are treated well. You just might be careful in taking taxis. You can get a taxi in the streets and taxis here in Nicaragua do not have meters, so the driver decides how much they will charge you and that depends on whether you are a Nicaraguan or a tourist. They usually charge more for tourists. So as a tourist, you should know the regular rates before you get a taxi so you can negotiate the price...What I heard from most Americans here is that they enjoy being in Nicaragua because they are treated well. You just might be careful in taking taxis. You can get a taxi in the streets and taxis here in Nicaragua do not have meters, so the driver decides how much they will charge you and that depends on whether you are a Nicaraguan or a tourist. They usually charge more for tourists. So as a tourist, you should know the regular rates before you get a taxi so you can negotiate the price with the driver. Posted December 10, 2014
Gabriel Sánchez - PRONicaragua
Americans and expats in Managua are treated well. If you lived here, you would know that there is no discrimination towards foreigners, whether they are Americans, Canadians or Europeans. Nicaraguans are usually welcoming because we have come to understand that foreigners are here for business in general or, many times, more specifically, for doing something in the tourism industry, and this means revenue for Nicaraguans who can benefit from this, either by working directly in this...
Americans and expats in Managua are treated well. If you lived here, you would know that there is no discrimination towards foreigners, whether they are Americans, Canadians or Europeans. Nicaraguans are usually welcoming because we have come to understand that foreigners are here for business in general or, many times, more specifically, for doing something in the tourism industry, and this means revenue for Nicaraguans who can benefit from this, either by working directly in this industry, or indirectly, as a result of spin- off economic activity.
There is no concern or bad feelings between the Managuans and the foreigners. It’s not something that I’ve seen or that I heard from Americans or anybody else. I would say that it is a pretty positive environment. I have never heard that Americans or other expats felt discriminated against or treated differently.
Many of the American investors who come to Nicaragua for the first time, and not just for a quick visit, have their perception of the country changed drastically. They usually have very low expectations, but once they’ve been here and they’ve seen the city and they talk to the people, they realize that it’s actually a much more positive environment than they’ve imagined. They usually highlight the fact that Nicaraguans are actually friendly. I think that’s a characteristic of Nicaraguans that most foreigners agree on.
Posted February 7, 2015
Alan Makurat
As a "semi" expat, my wife and I only live here in Managua when it is TDC (Too Damn Cold) in Wisconsin, I have to say that the "official" government stance towards the US is, for lack of a better word, stand-offish. BUT the people here really do like Americans, and treat us quite well. Do they charge us more than they would a native Nicaraguan? Probably, but not noticeably so. In other words, the man you hire to cut your...
As a "semi" expat, my wife and I only live here in Managua when it is TDC (Too Damn Cold) in Wisconsin, I have to say that the "official" government stance towards the US is, for lack of a better word, stand-offish. BUT the people here really do like Americans, and treat us quite well. Do they charge us more than they would a native Nicaraguan? Probably, but not noticeably so. In other words, the man you hire to cut your lawn might charge you a couple of dollars more than he charges your neighbor but he does just as good a job for you as he does for your neighbor. If prices are posted, like in a store or restaurant, you will not pay more there.
People are willing to help you and I have found that, when I go to a store, more and more people will address me in English when I am searching for something. It does help if you speak some Spanish, too.
(Mural on a Nicaraguan restaurant, pictured.)
Posted January 17, 2016