U.S. Department of State Issues Level 3 Travel Warning for Nicaragua

On December 13, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Nicaragua, advising travelers to reconsider visiting the country due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability.

The Nicaraguan government has been known to target individuals and organizations, including NGO workers, academics, business representatives, civil society leaders, religious and charity workers, journalists, and others, for political purposes.

In the past year, U.S. citizens have faced arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, revocations of Nicaraguan citizenship, and other actions.

The government may deny entry or re-entry without providing a basis, search personal devices for anti-government content, limit photography, seize personal devices, and confiscate property without warning or due process.

There is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, and since 2018, over 5,300 civil society organizations, including religious organizations, have been closed by the government.

Travelers are advised to exercise increased caution due to crime and to read the country information page for additional details on travel to Nicaragua.