The number of tourists to Nicaragua has been increasing at double-digit rates, and the length of their stays has also increased steadily since political stability was achieved in 1990. The Nicaraguan government is foreseeing great growth and potential in this sector from investment in Pacific beach resorts and ecotourism around Lake Nicaragua. There are three new hotels being constructed in Managua and existing facilities around the country are being upgraded, so the government is definitely not the only one with anticipation.

Click here to see a picture of the Nicaraguan beaches.

In spite of Nicaragua's beautiful ecosystem and natural wonders, she has her faults which have kept tourism at a low level in the past and could potentially do so again. The first and worst is political instability. When the Sandinistas left in 1990 the country's tourist market began to grow again, but intermittent strikes, riots, and protests understandably cause anxiety in potential tourists. The second, from a more economical perspective, is the problem of infrastructure--the deserted beaches and beautiful jungles often can't be reached. There are no wide shoulders on the roads at picturesque spots and no maps or ranger stations out in the jungle. Even worse is the fact that out side of Managua there are virtually no suitable accommodations for international visitors. Another difficulty has been the land disputes left over from the Sandinistas. The government has been slow to resolve these many claims and potential investors have been held up because there was no absolutely legal owner to whatever property was in question. Costs for things like gasoline, airfares, and hotel rooms are often more expensive than their Central American neighbors. And on top of that is the fact that there is a limited amount of personnel who are trained, have experience, or can speak a foreign language. The University of Mobile has started to new Tourism program to cope with the demand for personnel, however.