Nicaragua is located in Central America bordering Costa Rica.  Nicaragua uses a two flat pin style of North America adapter plug that is also used in the United States.

Adapter plugs allow electrical connections up to 240 volts. An adapter plug does NOT change the current or voltage (this requires a converter) unless your appliance is dual voltage. This adapter may NOT be used with appliances that have grounded plugs; for these you will need a grounded adapter.

Many of our customers find it handy to have multiple adaptors while traveling - either to run several appliances simultaneously or simply as a backup.

Why do I need a North American adapter?

Even though Nicaragua uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since devices such as laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you may still need an adapter to use your plug in Nicaragua.

Going In Style Nicaragua Adapter Model GIS-NIC-A-GUA

Grounded Adapter Plugs

If you are traveling with a grounded United States appliance or using a grounded Transformer you will need to use a grounded adapter plug. A grounded United States plug has two flat blades and one round pin.

Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs

Going In Style offers non-grounded adapter plugs for use with your voltage converter, transformer, or dual/multi voltage appliance. A non-grounded United States plug has two flat blades.

Watch our video on grounded vs non-grounded adapters.

Cycles: 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz.

Nicaragua operates on 120 volt electricity and is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. United States 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. Many foreign countries operate on 50Hz. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60Hz United States appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50Hz foreign electricity. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, Lenovo, HP, Asus, Toshiba computers, iPods, etc., will not be affected by the difference in cycle.

Computers and Apple Products

If you are traveling overseas with a Toshiba, HP, Lenovo, Asus, laptop or Apple device such as an iPad, chances are you won’t need a voltage converter. Most laptops are multi-voltage and will operate on voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts. However, computers do need to make safe connections to foreign power systems and a surge protector is recommended and you will still need an adapter to use your plug.

About Nicaragua

Geography

Nicaragua is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras and its area is Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras. The climate is tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands. The terrain is extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua.

Currency

Currency in Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan Gold Córdoba (NIO). Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are located throughout the country. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can easily be exchanged at banks, bureau de change, and the airport.

Staying Connected

Nicaragua’s telephone system is being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company. Since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved but teledensity still lags behind other Central American countries; fixed-line teledensity roughly 5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is increasing and approached 65 per 100 persons in 2010; connected to Central American Microwave System. When travelling to Nicaragua you will want to take an international or unlocked cell phone and purchase a Nicaragua SIM card. You can also contact your mobile service provider to set up an international calling plan. You will need an adapter to charge your phone. Most cell phone battery rechargers should be multi-voltage, therefore will not require a converter. If the charger says 100-240 volts, 50-60 cycles then your charger in multi-voltage.

Nicaragua has 176,985 internet hosts and over 199,800 internet users. Internet access is available in internet café and hotels in major cities. When traveling with your laptop or iPad you will need an adapter to charge your device.