Granada, Nicaragua

• Granada sits on Lake Nicaragua's shore with colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages still in use alongside regular taxis. The city stays hot year-round (71-93°F) at this latitude, though the dry season (November-April) gets cooling lake breezes that help.
• There's a noticeable expat and digital nomad presence, especially on Calle La Calzada where you'll see people working in cafes for hours. English works in tourist areas and many restaurants, but you'll need basic Spanish outside those zones.
• Tourist Police (101) handle traveler issues and speak some English. Petty crime, especially pickpocketing, happens in markets and bus stations - keep your phone out of sight in crowded areas.
• Shared taxis cost $0.40-0.60 around town (you ride with 3-5 other passengers, not private). Use hotel-arranged taxis after dark. The historic center around Parque Central has decent lighting and stays active until evening, but the waterfront gets isolated at night - take a taxi for that area.

Spanish is the main language. Tourist police (101), major hotels, and restaurants on Calle La Calzada or around Parque Central usually have English speakers. The tourist emergency line (101) has English operators. Outside those areas, English is rare - you'll need basic Spanish.

• Granada's still conservative despite the tourists. Don't wear beach clothes (bikini tops, very short shorts) around town - locals see it as disrespectful. Maxi skirts, linen pants, modest tops work better. If you visit churches that are actually in use, dress and behave accordingly.
• You need basic Spanish outside tourist zones. Learn at least: hola, gracias, por favor, disculpe, cuánto cuesta. Google Translate works, but making an effort matters. Even in restaurants, not all staff speak English.
• Catcalling from young men happens a lot here, more than other Central American cities. It's usually not dangerous but it gets exhausting. Ignore it completely and keep walking.
• Use 'Usted' (formal you) with strangers instead of 'Tú' or 'Vos' - it's the polite form. People sometimes say 'Adiós' as a greeting here, which is normal.
• Table manners count - Nicaraguans pay attention to how you eat and judge upbringing by it. If someone invites you to their home, mind your manners at meals.
• Tipping isn't required but 10-15% is appreciated in tourist restaurants. C$5-10 if someone carries your bag. Some upscale places add a service charge automatically - you can decline it if you want.

• Shared taxis are how most people get around - $0.40 in the center, $0.60 to outer areas. You'll ride with 3-5 other passengers and the driver picks up fares along the route. That's just how it works here and why it's so cheap.
• Buses to other cities leave from the central terminal. Routes to Managua run constantly (15-minute waits max) for about 25 córdobas (under $1). They're old North American school buses, though tourist routes sometimes get express minibuses.
• The historic center works fine on foot during the day - it's compact and the buildings are interesting to look at. The heat drains you though, especially March-May, so bring water. After dark, stick to lit main streets like Calle La Calzada. The waterfront has long isolated stretches, so taxi there at night.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
• For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.

Explore Granada with local guides and curated experiences.