FOREWORD
Nicaragua: Extreme Makeover
Investing In Nicaragua


CHAPTER I
NICARAGUA’S LAND, HISTORY AND PEOPLE
The Lay Of The Land
Maps
Weather
Where To Live In Nicaragua
A Great One Of a Kind Tour
Nicaragua’s History In Brief
Government
Economy
The People


CHAPTER II
SAVING MONEY IN NICARAGUA
How Much Does It Cost To Live In Nicaragua?
Money
Tipping
Affordable Hired Help
Staying Healthy
Health Care
Dental Care
Pharmacies
Cosmetic Surgery
Care For The Eldery
Banking
Taxes
Tax Protection
Forming a Panamanian Corporation
Insurance


CHAPTER III
MAKING MONEY IN NICARAGUA
Investing In Nicaragua
The Tourism Boom
Investment Opportunities
Food for Thought: The Sandinista Factor
Nicaragua’s Nascent Stock Market
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
Rentals
General Advice When Buying Real Estate In Central America
Building A Home
Speculating
Rules for Buying Property in Nicaragua
Steps to Buying and Registering Land
Real Estate Taxes
Home Insurance
Special Considerations for Buying Rural Beach Properties
Special Considerations for Buying Property in Granada
Steps for Remodeling a Home in Granada
FINDING WORK
STARTING A BUSINESS
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS IN NICARAGUA
OCCASIONAL ROADBLOCKS TO DOING BUSINESS IN NICARAGUA
COMMON BUSINESS SENSE IN NICARAGUA


CHAPTER IV
RED TAPE
DEALING WITH BUREAUCRACY
HOW TO BECOME A LEGAL RESIDENT OF NICARAGUA
Nicaragua Citizenship
Getting Married
IMMIGRATION AND OTHER MATTERS
SHIPPING AN AUTOMOBILE OR HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO NICARAGUA
DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE TO NICARAGUA
HOW TO FIND A LAWYER
FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES IN NICARAGUA
NICARAGUAN CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES ABROAD


CHAPTER V
STAYING BUSY AND HAPPY IN NICARAGUA
SOME SOUND ADVICE
BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS
TELEVISION AND RADIO
VIDEO RENTALS
SHOPPING
NICARAGUAN PASTIMES
ECOTOURISM
BEACHES
ADVENTURE SPORTS
MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
BASEBALL IN NICARAGUA
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS
LOVE AND PERMANENT COMPANIONSHIP
NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT
GAMBLING
MOVIES AND THEATERS IN NICARAGUA


CHAPTER VI
COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE SERVICES
INTERNET SERVICES
MAIL SERVICE
RECEIVING MONEY FROM ABROAD


CHAPTER VII
EDUCATION
HOW TO LEARN SPANISH
NICARAGUA’S INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS
EXCELLENT BOOKS FOR LEARNING SPANISH

Spanish language Schools


CHAPTER VIII
GETTING AROUND
AIR TRAVEL TO, IN AND AROUND NICARAGUA
TRAVELING BY BUS IN NICARAGUA
BUS TRAVEL TO AND FROM NICARAGUA
TRAVELING TAXI IN NICARAGUA
AUTOMOBILE RENTALS
DRIVING IN NICARAGUA
TRAVELING BY BOAT
KEEPING YOUR BEARINGS STRAIGHT


CHAPTER IX
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION
AFFORDABLE FOODS
NICARAGUA’S HOLIDAYS
RELIGION
BRINGING YOUR PETS TO NICARAGUA
UNDERSTANDING THE METRIC SYSTEM


CHAPTER X
PARTING THOUGHTS AND ADVICE
PERSONAL SAFETY IN NICARAGUA
LIFE AS AN EXPATRIATE
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
ABOUT LIVING IN NICARAGUA
INTERNET SOURCES
SUGGESTED READING
IMPORTANT SPANISH PHRASES
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
INDEX