Embassy
Embassy of Nicaragua in Canada
104, Black Maple Private
Nicaragua visa requirements for Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Nicaragua. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
CAN
Canada
Going to
NIC
Nicaragua
No visa needed
People from listed countries can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- US$10
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for Canadian citizens in Nicaragua
- Part of the Central America-4 Free Mobility Agreement.
- In the CA4 area, you get 90 days total for the entire area.
- To reset your stay, you must leave the area.
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Nicaragua.
Ways into Nicaragua
Check your nationality and passport type before you travel.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free entryPeople from listed countries can visit without a visa.
- Fee
- US$10
How to apply
- Check your nationality is on the visa-free list.
- Fill in the online entry form before arrival.
- Show your travel papers at an approved border crossing.
Documents required
- Passport valid for 6 months
- Yellow fever certificate, if needed
- An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for applicable travel from transmission-risk countries; official exemptions apply. vaccine
- Check the list before travel; it still needs checking against the 2026 order.
- The guide does not give a stay limit.
Sources (6)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Nicaraguan Tourism Institute — Immigration requirements and nationality tables
- Nicaraguan Tourism Institute — Entry, tourist card and extension FAQ
- National Assembly — Official Gazette, 22 February 2022, immigration law
- Civil Aviation Institute — Announcement of visa-category changes effective 16 February 2026
- Interior Ministry press notice published by Radio Nicaragua, 8 February 2026
- Embassy of Mexico in Nicaragua — Category C application and official portal notice
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from Canada
- Plugs A BNo adapter
- MoneyNIO C$
- Time+2h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageSpanish
- Emergency118 police128 ambulance
Planning your Nicaragua trip
Best time to go: November to April is the dry season on the Pacific side. The Caribbean coast gets rain even during the dry season, and the northern highlands can be cold and foggy.
- OmetepeSee Concepción and Maderas volcanoes on an island in Lake Nicaragua. The island also has wildlife.
- MombachoThis impressive volcano is near Granada.
- Masaya volcanoYou can drive up when conditions are considered safe enough.
- Granada and LeónExplore colonial buildings and many churches. León has one of Central America's largest churches.
Scams to watch for in Nicaragua
- Taxi overcharging and unclear faresA driver asks a foreign visitor for an inflated fare. Disputes can also arise if the currency or price per person was never agreed. Taxis have no meters, and bargaining becomes harder once you are inside.
- Shared-taxi robberyAn accomplice joins shortly after pickup. The driver and passenger then take the visitor around town, steal their belongings and leave them far from their destination. Similar robberies can involve regular passengers known to the driver.
- Theft through an open taxi windowA thief reaches through an open window and takes a passenger's belongings while the taxi is stopped.
About Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest Central American republic by area, with Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
- Capital
- Managua
- Money
- Nicaraguan córdoba (C$)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- UTC-06:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +505
Other Americas passports
Going to Nicaragua
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Nicaragua with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for Canadian citizens visiting Nicaragua?
Do canadian citizens need a visa for Nicaragua?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Nicaragua. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can canadian citizens stay in Nicaragua?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do nicaraguan citizens need a visa for Canada?
Nicaraguan citizens need a visa for Canada, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Nicaragua?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Belize, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Nicaragua are easier for canadian citizens?
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala Honduras, and 3 more let canadian citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Nicaragua?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Nicaragua?
Nicaraguan córdoba (C$). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Nicaragua?
Spanish.
How strong is the Canada passport?
It ranks #10 and reaches 152 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck