Economy :

• Natural resources : arable land, fresh water, fisheries, gold, timber hydro and geothermal power potential.
• Agriculture (17% of GDP) : Products--corn, coffee, sugar, meat, rice, beans, bananas, beef, dairy.
• Industry (24% of GDP) : Types--processed food, beverages, textiles, petroleum, and metal products.
• Services (52% of GDP) : Types--banking, wholesale and retail distribution, telecommunications, and energy.
• Trade (2005 est.) : Normal exports--$857 million (f.o.b.): coffee, seafood, beef, sugar, industrial goods, gold, bananas. Free trade zone exports--$682 million, mostly textiles and apparel, automobile wiring harnesses.  
• Markets - Central American Common Market (CACM) 35%, U.S. 33%, European Union 14%, Mexico 4%, Japan 1%. Imports--$2.865 billion (c.i.f.): petroleum, agricultural inputs and equipment, manufactured goods. Suppliers--CACM 21%, U.S. 18%, EU 8%, Mexico 8%, Venezuela 6%, China 5%.

Currency :
The Nicaraguan monetary unit is the córdoba. The US dollar is also accepted at most hotels and restaurants. Keep in mind that you will receive change in cordobas.  Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are widely accepted. Automated teller machines are found only in Managua, Granada and Leon. Travelers' checks can be changed in Managua only and are therefore not recommended. Euros and other foreign currencies can not be changed in Nicaragua. The Costa Rican colón can only be changed inside Costa Rica and at the land or river border crossings with Nicaragua.

Climate :
Nicaragua enjoys an average temperature of 27°C (80°F) year round. Humidity averages 65%. There are two seasons, green and dry. The green season is from mid-May to mid-November, the dry season from late-November to early-May. Rain during the green season is normally limited to short and powerful bursts with longer showers at night.
The hottest time of year is at the end of the dry season, from March to May, while the coolest period is from October to January.

Nicaragua Time :
Nicaragua is on the same time as Central Standard Time (Chicago) in the USA. During daylight savings time in the USA and Europe, Nicaragua is effectively on Mountain Standard Time (Denver) in the USA.

Electrical Current :
110 volts, standard American plugs are used.

Photography and Viedo :
In Nicaragua an extremely limited range of photography and video products are available. We strongly recommend stocking up on all supplies if you will photograph or video tape during your visit. Batteries that are not standard radio batteries are nearly impossible or completely unavailable in Nicaragua, please buy fresh batteries and have spares for your visit.