Is Nicaragua as dangerous as the US State Dep't. website claims??? | Nicaragua - Lonely Planet Forum

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:28:56 +0000

Hello,

I have lived and traveled (usually solo) all over the world, including in many developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America--plus I live in a high-crime city in the USA (Washington, DC), where I've had no trouble whatsoever. Yet suddenly I am FREAKED OUT, having just been stupid enough to read the US State Dep't. info on Nicaragua--a country I assumed would be safer than, say, Guatemala, which I visited solo two years ago (and where I had NO problem). Yet the site describes violent crime in great detail, and in particular when arriving at night at the airport in Managua. I had planned on arriving there (solo, of course) at 9 PM on Feb. 9th and heading directly to Granada--though this very highway is described as VERY dangerous in the State Dep't. info. The State Dep't. also strongly warns against walking (or taking most cabs), against traveling to and from San Juan del Sur, against just about everything I wanted to do.

Hey! Reality check, please! Is the State Dept's description a bit over the top, aimed at naive gringos who have never left Kansas? Or should I really rethink my plans to travel alone in Nicaragua for three weeks in February (I am 51, for what that's worth, and speak decent Spanish)?

PLEASE HELP ASAP since I have less than 24 to get out of my flight reservation without penalty.

Thanks very much.
Hennagaijin82

ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:44:03 +0000

Just go. Your comments prompted me to read the Canadian government' warnings here, and it doesn't sound any worse than any other Central American country. I'm going, probably on my own, at the end of February and don't expect to have any problems. I'm in Costa Rica right now and have spoken to many Gringos here about going there on my own, and no one seems to think it's particularly dangerous. Have a great trip and maybe let us know what you do and how you like it when you get back.

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:56:11 +0000

If you read the US Stae Dept website for Costa Rica, Thailand, or even Italy it would would not be pretty either.

There are few reports of issues overall, and besides the usual cautions for Latin America, its fine.

Costa Rica is a greater risk IMHO.

Little old ladies and church groups go to Granada.

READ the FAQ-

Nicaragua is great, no worries.

Have you the MOON Guidebook? Just read the warnings...

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:20:55 +0000

Thanks for the reality check. What does IMHO mean, please?

Yes, I did wonder what the State Dep't. would have to say about living in my DC 'hood, ha ha ha........

Hennagaijin82

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:25:51 +0000

Hi again, SoloHobo. I looked for the Moon guide today, but all they had at the local Borders was the Lonely Planet--so I bought it. I must have 40 of them already and have never had any real complaints (on the contrary), but THIS guide is absolutely horribly-written, to the extent that at times I'm not quite sure what the author (who is trying WAY too hard to be clever and adorable) is attempting to say. Do you recommend the Moon? If so, I'll look for it.

Anybody have a hotel recommendation in Managua, or recommendations on how to get there after 10 PM? I guess I won't try to get a bus to Granada after all.... Will wait until the next day.

Hennagaijin82

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:32:45 +0000

Arrange a Paxeo to Granada

Read the Trip reports around post 40 in the FAQ at top.

yes, Moon is excellent.

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:33:38 +0000

In my Humble Opinion

IMHO

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:12:27 +0000

Thats a understatement.

God, the USA has to be 10000000 times more violent than Nicaragua.

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:10:51 +0000

The State Dept ismore dangerous than the Nicaraguans!!

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ONLINE

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:13:43 +0000

You COME from D.C. and you believe the B.S. they spout? Anyway, I think you'll be fine. My wife and I travelled around for a month by public transport and never had a problem. Loved it. Getting in that late , think about staying at the Best Western across the street from the airport. A little pricey but very convenient.

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