POPOYO TRAVEL GUIDE
HOW TO GET THERE?
We recommend that clients fly into Managua International Aiport. There are several airlines that fly from the United States to Managua, Nicaragua. Among them are Avianca, AeroMexico Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Alaska, and Spirit Airlines. For our guests coming from different Continents you can look online to see the best connections and flights using any flight comparison website.
From the airport we organize a pick up for you. Our English speaking driver will wait for you at the airport and meet you outside of customs with a sign with your name on it and bring you right to your ocean villa! The drive from Managua to the villa takes about 2.5 hours.
PASSPORT & EMERGENCY CONTACT
Visa
North American, EU, Australian and most South American passport holders do not require a visa to enter Nicaragua for tourist purposes and will receive a 90 day tourist visa exemption on entry. Your passport must be valid for 3 months from your date of entry to gain access to the country. If you hold a passport from outside the above mentioned countries we strongly recommend that you check with your nearest Nicaraguan Embassy.
Emergency Contact Info
Main Emergency Number (Nicaragua): 118
Safari Surf Adventures office (California): +1-800-433-3355
Safari Surf Adventures Skype: safarisurf
Safari Surf Adventures Email: tim@safarisurfadventures.com
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Nicaragua, with a general subtropical climate, it is not as humid as other countries further south, which is good news for those of you who don’t like really hot weather. While most of Nicaragua has an average temperature of 80 F (26.5 C) , it can at times bump up around 85 F (29.4 C) at times in the dry season.
Nicaragua has two predominant seasons, the rainy season (May – Nov.) and the dry season (Dec. – April). Temperatures in this season usually range from 80 F (26.5 C) to 90 F (32 C).
The best weather months to visit are December, January, July, and August. During these months Nicaragua looks lush and beautiful, and the surf and conditions are ideal.
WHAT TO BRING?
Surfing items:
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A surf board you’re comfortable with in most conditions
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Tropical water surf wax
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Boardies and a rash vest
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Water sport sunscreen – minimum SPF 30+
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Beach Towel
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Surf hat – sun protection (optional)
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Extra fins, leash and repair resin (recommended)
Non-Surfing items:
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Hat
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Sun glasses
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Warm weather clothing
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Wet weather/rain gear (if you’re coming from May through October)
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Flashlight (There are no street lights at night for walking!)
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Copy of your passport
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Visa card or M/C debit card for ATM (if cash is needed)
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Camera
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Mosquito repellent
CULTURAL HINTS
Nicaraguans are very polite and they rarely say anything that would be offensive to anyone present. Many Nicaraguans prefer to appear helpful and may try to tell you what they think you want to hear instead of admitting they don’t know. It’s worth taking this into consideration when travelling around Nicaragua to avoid disappointments.
For a foreigner to try to understand something fully, it’s usually best to “triangulate,” to an answer. Ask (at least) 3 different people the same question to see if you can arrive at consensus.
‘Hola’ is the standard greeting for Nicaraguans. A general hand shake for men and women is appropriate. Tipping is not expected but certainly appreciated…10% is generous.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Internet Access
The Villa provides free internet WiFi throughout the accommodation.
Water
The water in Nicaragua is ok at best. The Villa has a water filter system which is fine for brushing teeth but we always recommend using bottled water for drinking.
Money
The local currency is called córdoba
1 USD = 30 Córdoba
1 Euro = 34 Córdoba
1 GBP = 39 Córdoba
You can check online prior to your visit for up to date exchange information.
Electrical
110-volt AC, 60 cycle electricity, the same as the US.
Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter.
SOME WORDS
Questions
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| ¿Tiene…? | Do you have…? Good to use if you’re looking for a certain item at a store (e.g., ¿Tiene Tylenol?) |
| ¿Puedo…? | Can I…? |
| ¿Puede…? | Can you…? |
| ¿Dónde? | Where? |
| ¿Dónde está…? | Where is…? Useful when asking for directions or where something is (¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the bathroom?) |
| ¿Cuanto cuesta? | How much does it cost? |
| ¿Acepta tarjetas de crédito? | Do you accept credit cards? |
| ¿Habla Inglés? | Do you speak English? Some Ticos might reply un poco (a little). |
| ¿De donde eres? | Where are you from? Los Estados Unidos is the United States; Canadá is Canada. Remember that America is used to describe North, Central, and South America. |
Answers
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| Sí | yes |
| No | No |
| Tal vez | Maybe |
| Claro | Of course |
Transporatation
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| Estación de buses | Bus station |
| Parada de bus | Bus stop |
| Tiquete | Ticket (for the bus, ferry, etc). Not all buses use tickets but it is good to ask. ¿Necesito un tiquete? (Do I need a ticket?). |
| Taxi | Taxi |
| ¿A donde va? | Where are you going? What’s your destination? |
| Voy a… | I am going to… |
| Pare aquí | Stop here |
| ¿Esta es la calle a…? | Is this the road to…? |
| Lleno con regular, por favor | Fill it with regular (gas) please. Gas stations in Costa Rica are always full service. |
| La llanta necesita aire | The tire needs air. |
In a Restaurant
Drinks
¿Para tomar? = What would you like to drink? This is usually the first thing a server will ask you.
Agua = Water. You might want una botella de agua (a bottle of water) or agua del tubo (tap water).
Una cerveza = A beer. Check out our post about the most popular local beers.
Vino = Wine. Vino tinto is red wine and vino blanco is white wine.
Café = Coffee. The server will ask you ¿Café con leche o negro? (Coffee with milk or black). Don’t worry, they always bring sugar packets.
Refresco naturale = A fruit drink with ice (hielo).
Batido = A fruit smoothie. Con agua means blended with ice and con leche means blended with ice and milk (milk shake).
Popular Local Dishes
Gallo pinto = Breakfast dish of rice and beans mixed together, served alongside eggs and fried plantain. Sometimes comes with fried local cheese (queso), toast (tostadas) or tortillas, and fruit (frutas). Gallo pinto literally translates to painted rooster.
Huevos fritos = Fried eggs
Huevos revueltos = Scrambled eggs
Casado = Lunch Plate. Casado translates to “married” and this traditional lunch dish truly has a marriage of flavors. The dish usually consists of rice (arroz) and beans (frijoles), a protein like meat (bistec/steak; chuleta de cerdo/pork chop; or pollo/chicken) or fish (pescado), and several side salads like green salad (ensalada verde), pasta salad (ensalada pasta), etc.
Arroz con pollo = Rice with chicken. This is a fried rice dish that is very flavorful. Instead of chicken (pollo), you might also see rice with shrimp (arroz con camarones) and other variations.
Sopa = Soup. Common soups are olla de carne (similar to beef stew), sopa de mariscos (seafood soup), and sopa negra (black bean soup, usually with a poached egg). Soups are typically served with a side of white rice.
Cashing Out
Para llevar = To go (for your leftovers)
La cuenta, por favor = The bill, please.
Servicio = Service. This is the 10% often added to the bill for tip. You can add more if you like.
Impuestos ventas = Sales tax
