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Nicaragua Facts & Figures

Facts About Nicaragua

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Facts About Nicaragua

Key Takeaways: Nicaragua Facts And Figures in 2026

Primary exports include coffee, beef, and seafood.
Granada offers a cozy colonial atmosphere near the lake.
Nicaragua provides one of the most affordable costs of living.

There are many interesting facts about Nicaragua, including it being considered the oldest city in the Americas. It is also the largest among all Central American countries and is relate in size to the US state of New York.

Reviewed By Lief Simon

Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.

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Like many countries in the region, Nicaragua was ruled by Spain for many years.

Interestingly, Nicaragua’s Lake Managua is one of the only freshwater lakes in the world to have sharks.

Nicaragua may be best known for its crashing coast and its killer surf breaks.

For instance, the most popular places in Nicaragua are Granada and León.

León is the larger of the country’s two Spanish-colonial cities, but Granada is cozier, cooler (thanks to the breezes off its lake), and more welcoming.

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Information Type	Nicaragua Data
Population	7,142,529 (Feb. 2024 est.)
Gross Domestic Product PPP (GDP)	US$35 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Per Capita	US$2,158 (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate	5% (2024 est.)
Currency	Gold Cordoba (NIO)
Exchange Rate Versus U.S. Dollar	36.79 cordobas per U.S. dollar (Sept. 2024)
Language	Spanish (official) 95.3%, Miskito 2.2%, Mestizo of the Caribbean coast 2%, other 0.5%
Capital	Managua
Population of Capital City	1,107,000 (2024)
Time Zone	GMT – 6
Seasons	Tropical, rainy season lasts from June to December.
International Dialing Code	505
Electricity	120V / 60 Hz. Plug Type: A (US style)
System of Government	Republic
Current Leader	President Daniel Ortega (since Jan. 10, 2007)
Income Tax Rate for Residents	Residents are taxed on their Nicaraguan-sourced income at progressive rates, from 10% to 30%.
Property Tax	0% to 1%
Capital Gains Tax	Are taxed according to a progressive rate schedule, up to a maximum of 30%. A withholding tax rate of 20% is levied on capital gains realized by nonresident individuals through selling Nicaraguan real estate properties.
Inheritance Tax	Inheritances and gifts are taxed at the ordinary progressive income tax rates, from 10% to 30%
Rental Income Tax	Taxed as income tax rate.
Transfer Tax	1% to 3%, paid by seller levied on certain types of documents, the amount varies depending on the transaction.
Sales Tax	15% (Jan. 2024)
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property	None
Local Chamber of Commerce	Rotonda El Güegüense Managua Tel: 505-2268-3505
American Chamber of Commerce	Plaza Espana, de la Rotonda el Gueguense 400 mts. al sur, 75 mts. al este Managua. Tel: 505-2266-2758
Primary Exports	Coffee, beef, shrimp, lobster, tobacco, bananas, cotton, rice, sugarcane, corn, sesame, soya, beans, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products.
Residency and Visa Requirements	Tourist Visa: Automatic 90 days upon entry. Residency: Permanent residence and investor’s residence visas, including pensionado and rentista. Citizenship: Three years of uninterrupted, legal residence.
Special Benefits for Foreign Residents or Retirees	No income tax on external income. Tax-free import of household goods and vehicle.
National Airline	None

Reviewed By Lief Simon

Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.

Start Your New Overseas Life Today

We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

Nicaragua Facts & Figures- FAQs

Is The Cost Of Living In Nicaragua Affordable?

The cost of living in Nicaragua is the least expensive in this part of the world – and that it has one of the cheapest and easiest retirement programs available.