Living in Nicaragua guide for expats

Nicaragua has a tropical climate, which means that there are only two seasons; the dry (from January to June) and the raining season, with sudden, tropical downpours. The country is also known as the 'land of lakes and volcanoes' due to its 19 active volcanoes (some of which are perfect tourist attractions) and Lake Nicaragua ' the biggest lake in the region, home to Ometepe island, and the habitat of freshwater sharks.

Granada, a city, founded in 1524 on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, is a historical town particularly valued and popular among travellers for its exceptionally well preserved Spanish colonial architecture. The capital city of Managua has been devastated in its recent history by the 1972 earthquake and a long-term civil war in the 1980s. Since the mid-1990s, Managua (and the entire country) has begun to see a resurgence. Some areas remain in the rebuilding process, but most of the city has been proudly restored. Street art, museums, brightly lit ruins, and restaurants are evidence of the blend of the old and the new.

Apart from tourism, Nicaragua is also investing a lot in renewable energy ' a sector which can give employment opportunities to skilled expats. However, expats should be aware that the country is among the poorest in the world, and unemployment rates are high.