What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Managua

Relocating to Managua

It’s easy to see why Forbes Magazine named Managua as one of the top five cities for foreign retirees to relocate to. As well as being a great place to retire and relax, there are great work opportunities in Nicaragua, with very little restriction on overseas workers. This famously beautiful destination is simple to move to and with virtually no hassle, your new life in Managua can begin.

About the City

Covering an expansive 544 square kilometers on Lake Managua’s south-west shore, this capital city is Nicaragua’’s largest region in both geographical size and population. Of the 2.2 million residents, the majority are of Spanish, indigenous and African descent. This culturally diverse heritage makes Managua a colorful combination of food, music and local festivities. The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish, and a regional vernacular known as Nicanol or Nicaraguan Spanish is most widely spoken throughout Managua.

The Climate in Managua 

The western coast of Nicaragua, where Managua is located, has a tropical wet and dry climate. Temperatures in the region remain consistently high throughout the year, rarely rising above 32°C or dipping below 28°C. Managua’’s dry spell spans the months between November and April, when the sun lies directly above the city.

Between May and October there is a light rainy season. Thanks to its humid, tropical climate, Managua boasts a diverse selection of vegetation and plant life. Some of South America’’s rarest trees can be found in the rural outskirts, including pochotes, royal palms, ceibos and pinuela trees which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Visas for Nicaragua

Nicaragua’’s straightforward government visa system makes relocating to the country from overseas relatively simple. There is a basic amount of paperwork and evidence required, and the benefits of living in Managua make it well worth the effort.

To secure residency, expats must prove to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that they are citizens of the country they claim to be from; this can be proved by providing a passport or birth certificate. Potential residents must also verify that they are in good health and in good standing with the police by submitting an official certificate of good health and a certified, clean criminal record. Before permitting residency, the Nicaraguan government must see evidence in the form of bank statements that the person moving has an income of at least 600 USD per month. Once all of this has been supplied to the relevant embassy, a permanent residency visa can be obtained and a new life in Managua can begin.