Money exchange in Nicaragua

We will be bringing USD to Nicaragua and our Canadian-bank issued debit cards.

a) Should we exchange money at the bank or at money changers?

b) Will we be able to exchange $ in the airport?

c) We are arriving in the evening. Im assuming that places to exchange money wil be closed by then. Do some places readily accept USD so that we can get some food, drinks, cab ride once we arrive? (We'll either be heading to Granada or Leon.)

d) Are ATMs readily found in Granada and Leon? What about smaller places like Ometepe or the Corn Islands?

Thanks!

I can only answer to a few of these but hopefully someone more informed can fill in the rest.

c) Most restaurants and cabs seems to accept USD according to posts on here.

d) Yes in Granada and Leon. I believe Ometepe is devoid of ATMs...you would need to bring enough $ to get you by.

Add to above-

There is a ATM in Rivas too, and airport I think- Brig small USD and know the exchange rate.

There is a ATM on Ometepe, how reliable and often works is the question, bring Cords prior IMHO

Yes i found the ATM on Ometepe in Moyogalpa. Just follow the road up from the dock. It was reliable when i was there but its not 24 hrs.

You can definitely use USD anywhere, just make sure it's in good condition and has no rips or tears.

We exchanged some money when we got to Leon at the bank and I think it was 18.75 cordova to $1

Wow, thanks for all the responses everyone!

Can't wait to leave in two weeks!

Hi there,

so i take it you get about 18.75 cordobas für 1 USD when you go to banks.

So does anybody know how much you get when you change the money in the street with money changers?

the exchange rates on the streets are very close, if not exactly the same, as in the banks. I wouldn't go one way or the other just to save a few cents on the dollar (at most). Go with what's most convienent.

There's a couple of ATMs in the airport. There's a counter to convert money in the airport (which may or may not be open when you arrive). You can run across the street from the airport to the Best Western hotel to see if they'll change some $ even though you won't be staying there. (they will give a crappy rate).

I'm surprised to hear cabs won't take American $.

ATMs. Credit cards.
No problem.
Best to avoid banks, there are always lines.

Use ATMs. Use credit cards.
No problem.
Best to avoid banks unless you enjoy waiting in long lines.

I've found that Visa is much more commonly accepted than Mastercard. Check what network your debit card is on. Also, make sure it has a four digit pin, not a longer one. And bring a credit card, too, just in case. Sometimes true debit cards (the kind of ATM card that you can use in stores for cash purchases) don't work properly overseas.

Good point- Mastercard can be a issue in ATM's, as Visa rarely gets denied.