Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport — Local services in Managua

Zero stars for the Managua airport inspectors. Beware! I traveled as a tourist (volunteer vacation) from Florida to Managua, Nicaragua. I joyfully packed an entire suitcase full of toys for an orphanage I was volunteering at in Nicaragua. Managua inspection searched it, asked me what it was, and I explained they were toys for an orphanage. He refused to allow me to take it. They said to pay over $100 to get it back. I was told I had to pay it for "taxes". So let me get this straight, I have to pay over $100 in taxes for bringing a suitcase filled with toys that I had purchased for only around $1 each, that I was donating to an orphanage? I asked why, and he said it was because I packed too many toys. Too many toys? Of course I'm going to stuff the suitcase, because the orphanage has tons of kids. This was the worst "Welcome to Nicaragua". I had come so happy and left so sad. I did end up visiting the orphanage, but of course could not enjoy the happiness of passing out all I had brought them. They have so many needs. I did give the kids little treats, but nothing in comparison to what I had in that luggage for them. I also had packed the luggage with Bibles for the kids, and you know what was interesting? The inspector let me keep the Bibles, but yet he kept all the toys. I did get to give the kids the Bibles. I was not able to pay the big price to get back my suitcase. It felt like they stole from me. It felt like they stole from the poor kids of their own country....

Nicaragua visa - public service announcement from a frequent traveler, first time Nic tourist. Prior to my May 8 -11,2023 trip from USA to Nicaragua, I scoured the internet for info on the online visa. American Airlines app says to complete it prior to online check in. Other airlines (Copa) only ask for basic info. Here's the thing: the online visa form has required fields that can only be completed if you are being invited by a specific person/agency, whose identifying info you have. Even if you select "tourism" as the reason for your trip, the required questions don't change. I decided not to complete it and simply deal with it, if and when, the time came. This was thanks to one post that said they got the immigration form on the flight. Indeed, not only did they hand out immigration forms on the flight, NO ONE asked for online forms whatsoever at any point. I never got to test my "story." No clue why no one tells you that you don't need anything to visit Nic. Form is on the flight. $10 visa is in the airport.

Airport is easy to get around and safe. They don't announce gate changes, so you have to sign up for text messages from the airline and just figure things out. I was early...and at the wrong gate for well over an hour! When I saw a different aircraft at the gate and another woman ask questions, I moved gates.

As with duty free in every country, it is only worthwhile for items not available in your country. Otherwise, prices are not...

Firstly, there's no free WiFi available, which is quite inconvenient for travelers needing to stay connected.

The United Airlines self check-in kiosks were practically useless. They require a ticket agent to verify that you don't have baggage to check in, but all the agents were behind the check-in counters. This defeats the purpose of having self check-in kiosks in the first place. The agents were taking their sweet time, averaging about 5 minutes per check-in. I understand that nobody wants to work, but working smarter not harder should be a priority. Having a ticket agent stationed at the self check-in kiosks would have significantly reduced the check-in line.

This inefficiency caused a ripple effect. By the time we reached the customs line, it was just a chaotic mob of people trying to get through. This added extra stress and work for the ticket agents, as they then had to ensure everyone they checked in made it to their flights on time. I appreciated their efforts to help passengers make their flights, but this situation could have been avoided with better management of the check-in process.

I arrived at the airport at 4 am for a 7 am flight and ended up being one of the last people to board. Thankfully, I made it, but the experience was far...