The Destination Nica blog — moving to and living in Nicaragua
The questions nobody answers straight.
Most moving-to-Nicaragua advice online is six years old, written by someone who left, or shaped to sell you a course. This is what we actually tell people on WhatsApp — visas, neighborhoods, healthcare, the boring stuff that quietly breaks the move.
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Every guide, in one place
Pickleball in Nicaragua: where to play, when to go
Every court we know of, on a clickable map: the clubs around San Juan del Sur, the Tola resorts, Rivas’s free public courts and Managua. Plus tournaments, the season and what to pack.
What it actually costs to live in Nicaragua in 2026
Three real monthly budgets with every price sourced: rent by town, the AC bill, groceries, household help and a córdoba that hasn’t moved since 2024. Plus why there’s no single right number.
Why we tell every new arrival: rent first
The vacation-buy is the most expensive mistake foreigners make here — what you don't know about a place until you've lived a full year in it.
Tola or San Juan del Sur — which fits you?
Two coasts, half an hour apart, completely different lifestyles. An honest breakdown of which fits which kind of person — and the hybrid most people miss.
Dental work in Nicaragua: the real costs
Cleanings $30, crowns $300, implants under $1,200. Which procedures are worth flying down for, which aren't, and the red flags to walk away from.
Customs clearing a personal shipment
The shipment process from origin to door, the one-time duty exemption that saves residency holders thousands, and what gets shipments stuck for weeks.
Is healthcare free in Nicaragua? What expats actually use
Public care is free at the door, but not free in practice. Real 2026 costs for INSS, the private hospital clubs, insurance and Medicare, plus the emergency route from San Juan del Sur.
Stuck on something we haven't written about?
Tell us what you're trying to figure out. If we can answer it in a message, we will. If it deserves a post, you've just inspired the next one. Either way, a person on this team writes back.