Nicaragua travel guide

Nicaragua officially the Republic of Nicaragua (reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa), is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America. It is also the least densely populated with a demographic similar in size to its smaller neighbors. The country is bordered by Honduras to the north and by Costa Rica to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of the country, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the east. Falling within the tropics, Nicaragua sits 11 degrees north of the Equator, in the Northern Hemisphere.
The country's name is derived from Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lago de Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes Lago de Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and Lago de Managua (Xolotlán), as well as lagoons and rivers in the region.
At the time of the Spanish conquest, Nicaragua was the name given to the narrow strip of land between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. Chief Nicarao ruled over the land when the first conquerors arrived. The term was eventually applied, by extension, to the Nicarao or Niquirano groups that inhabited that region.
The Nicarao tribe migrated to the area from northern regions after the fall of Teotihuacán, on the advice of their religious leaders. According to tradition, they were to travel south until they encountered a lake with two volcanoes rising out of the waters, and so they stopped when they reached Ometepe, the largest fresh-water volcanic island in the world. (...)

Passport, onward/return ticket and entry fee required for a stay of up to 30 days. Airport departure tax $18. For more information, travelers may contact the Consulate of Nicaragua, 1627 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202/939-6531 or 32) or the nearest Consulate in CA (213/252-1170 or 415/765-6821), FL (305/220-6900), LA (504/523-1507), NY (212/983-1981), or TX (713/272-9628). Mention tripwolf when you contact American Passport following the link below to ensure eligibility for special rates and services.