Location: Throughout Nicaragua
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to inclement weather patterns in Nicaragua, including the rainy and hurricane seasons, generally lasting from May – November.
Nicaragua’s rainy season is characterized by frequent, heavy rainfalls which have caused landslides, floods, significant damage to roads, homes, and buildings, and can result in travel delays and injury.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs June 1 – November 30. Tropical cyclone season in the eastern Pacific occurs late June – early October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects the 2024 storm season activity to be above normal. NOAA predicts that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will produce:
- 17 – 25 storms
- 8 – 13 hurricanes
- 4 – 7 major hurricanes
What can you do ahead of the storm?
Get ready:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates. Encourage your friends and family to register as well if they plan to travel outside of the United States.
- Be aware that in the event of heavy rain, a tropical storm, or a hurricane, you may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer. Roads may be washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters is not uncommon, and security personnel may not always be available to assist.
- Obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses, including health emergencies and evacuations. If a situation requires an evacuation from an overseas location, the U.S. Department of State may work with commercial airlines to ensure that U.S. citizens can depart as safely and efficiently as possible. Under U.S. law, any evacuation costs are your responsibility.
- Organize a kit of essential items in a waterproof container, including: bottled water, any medications taken regularly, non-perishable food, battery powered radio, vital documents – especially passports.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAA have additional tips on their websites:
o https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
o http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
Stay informed:
- Monitor the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ) to be aware of weather developments.
- We encourage U.S. citizens in Nicaragua to notify friends and family of their well-being and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for regular information.
- Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness can be found on the Department’s “Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready ” webpage.
- The status of Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua is available at https://www.eaai.com.ni/en . Information on the volcano’s latest status can be found on the following websites: https://www.sinapred.gob.ni/ .
Assistance:
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Managua, located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, by calling +505-2252-7104, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fridays. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACSManagua@state.gov. For after-hours emergencies, call +505-2252-7171 and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.
- Nicaragua Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
