Do I need a passport/visa?

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Nicaragua.  Although there is a bilateral agreement that waives the six-month validity passport requirement, U.S. citizens are urged to ensure that their passports are valid for the length of their projected stay in the country before traveling.  U.S. citizens must have an onward or return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay.  A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be purchased for $5 upon arrival.  Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days.

A valid entry stamp is required to exit Nicaragua.  There is also a $32 departure tax.  Many airlines include this tax in the price of the ticket.  If the tax is not included in the ticket, payment can be made at the airline counter upon departure.

How is the food?

It's better than you can imagine.  The tobacco region is also known of its beef and vegetables and it is difficult to find a bad meal.

Do they speak English?

The national language is Spanish, although many residents of the Caribbean coastal areas also speak English and indigenous languages.

Do they take US dollars?

U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, and major credit cards are also typically accepted in hotels, restaurants, stores, and other businesses in urban and tourist areas.  Bring small bills, no larger than $20, crisp, un-ripped (ripped bills won't be accepted).  ATM machines are available at banks in addition to some shopping centers and gas stations in urban and tourist areas where you can withdraw in local currency.  Traveler’s checks are accepted at a few major hotels and may also be exchanged for local currency at authorized exchange facilities ("casas de cambio").  Visitors will also find enterprising individuals - ”Cambistas” - waving wads of cash in the street.  Changing money in this fashion is not recommended.

Can I drink the water?

Drinking tap water is not recommended in Nicaragua.  All persons should drink only bottled water. Individuals traveling to Nicaragua should ensure that all their routine vaccinations are up to date.  Vaccination against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid is strongly recommended.  A yellow fever vaccination is not required to enter Nicaragua unless the traveler has recently visited a country where yellow fever is endemic.  Travelers taking prescription medications should bring an adequate supply with them when coming to Nicaragua.  Many newer combination medications are not available in local pharmacies.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

How far away is it?

From Miami or Houston it is about a 2 hour flight.

How do I get there?

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua (MGA) is serviced by TACA, Spirit Airlines, Continental, American, Delta, Copa, and Air Transat. The tour dates are based on your arrival at the Managua airport and your departure from the airport. You are responsible for making your own air reservations to and from MGA.

What do I need to pack?

The climate is hot and humid, with the “summer” dry season running mid-November through mid-May and the “winter” rainy season running from mid-May through mid-November.

How many cigars can I bring home?

The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule. The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each; 0.95l (1qt) of alcoholic beverage; gifts or articles up to a value of US$800.

How much do I tip?

Tip lightly, no more then a dollar for a meal or per night at the hotel. The local economy is unaccustomed to tourism and tipping heavily would cause problems for locals and future tourists alike. At the factories, don't tip at all.

How do I make a reservation?

When you're ready to go, click on our Reservations link. You'll be asked your name and contact information, and the date you'd like to reserve. All our reservations are checked and confirmed by our staff before they are confirmed so we never overbook. As tours book full, they're marked as "full" on our website.

What's the Roll'n'Smoke Bus like?

We use a full size Toyota Hiace 15 passenger van (or similar) with air conditioning.

What are the hotels like?

This isn't the military or summer camp, this is a vacation and you deserve the best possible!  All hotels are the best available, private rooms, en suite bathrooms, TV, air conditioning.