The Best Place to stay!!!!!!!

About Nicaragua

• Tourism in Nicaragua?

Tourism in Nicaragua has boomed in the last 12 years making it the second largest industry in the nation. Nicaragua has seen positive growth in the tourism sector over the last decade and is expected to become the first largest industry in 2007. As a result of positive growth, President Daniel Ortega plans on using tourism to combat poverty throughout the country. The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry.

• What's the weather like?

Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands. The climate usually is tropical with year round average temperatures between 29-31C. The average sea temperature never falls below 22C.

• What's the national language?

The national language is Spanish, although many residents of the Caribbean coastal areas also speak English and indigenous languages.

• What are the living costs in Nicaragua for a foreign retiree? How much one pays for house insurance, local and national taxes, to hire a maid?

If you're simply in the market for a place to relax and spend a few months a year in a quiet, safe, affordable retreat, again, Nicaragua is the correct place.

The benefits come mostly in the form of tax incentives. As a foreign retiree, you:

• Pay no taxes on any out-of-country earnings.

• Can bring into Nicaragua up to $10,000 of household goods for your own home, duty-free.

• Can import one automobile for personal or general use duty- and tariff-free, and sell it after five years, tax-free.

• Can import an additional vehicle every five years under the same duty exemptions.

The cost of living in Nicaragua is a fraction what you're used to paying up north. Our sources on the ground say a two-week supply of pork and beef costs about $65. For enough fresh vegetables to feed four or five people daily for a week, expect to pay about $55. You can hire a maid who will cook, clean and do your laundry for less than $120 a month; and you'll spend just $35 on a wonderful restaurant meal of local delicacies, including with wine and dessert.

· What are the National and local purchasing implications for both developers and individuals?

There’s no difference for Developers in Nicaragua. It’s the same as individuals.

Local Tax : 1%

Lawyers’ fees : 1.5 %

Other : 0.5 Registrations

• What are the requirements to enter to Nicaragua?

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Nicaragua. Although there is a bilateral agreement that waives the six-month validity passport requirement, U.S. citizens are urged to ensure that their passports are valid for the length of their projected stay in the country before traveling. U.S. citizens must have an onward or return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be purchased ($5.00) upon arrival. Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days.

A valid entry stamp is required to exit Nicaragua. Pay attention to the authorized stay that will be written into your entry stamp by the immigration inspector. Visitors remaining more than the authorized time must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan Immigration. Failure to do so will prevent departure until a fine is paid.

• Which are the preferred types of business organizations with foreign investment?

Many large multinational companies have invested in Nicaragua, and continue to invest increasing amounts of money, even after the elections.

HSBC, GE Financial, and Citibank have all bought.

$235 billion in foreign investment was put into Nicaragua last year alone.

Nicaragua has the highest growth rate of direct foreign investment in Central America—big business is not shying away.

• Why Nicaragua?

Nicaragua is a nation at peace. Its government is democratically elected, committed to a free-market economy and eager to attract foreign investors. A recent study by the Inter-American Institute on Human Rights and a survey of police forces in the Americas show that Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America and one of the safest countries in the world. Recent studies also point to Nicaragua's low reported crime rate -- lower than in Germany, France or the U.S.

• How long will it take to buy a property?

Generally it will take 3 weeks to buy a property. This is dependent on a number of factors, not all of which are in your control. Once you have decided on a property, contact will be made with the seller or his estate agent. The terms and conditions of the sale can be negotiated very quickly, depending on how easily we can instruct an independent surveyor to assess the property, which is our usual practice. It is important to have an accurate picture of the condition of the property, likely repairs that will be needed and its consequent value. Usually a surveyor can prepare a report within a week of instructions. The legal title to the property can be checked at the Land Register in a day or two. Searches with the local authority, trying to confirm the uses and building permissions associated with the property, will similarly take several days. The Preliminary Contract is then exchanged and a deposit paid. There is then a period of, at maximum, a few days while the money transfer is arranged and any final checks made. The sale will take place in front of a Notary at an agreed date and time.

• What is the Nicaraguan currency?

Currency in Nicaragua: gold cordoba (C$)

U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, and major credit cards are also typically accepted in hotels, restaurants, stores and other businesses in urban and tourist areas. Visitors who need to change dollars are encouraged to do this at their hotel since this is typically the safest place. ATM machines are available at banks in addition to some shopping centers and gas stations in urban and tourist areas. Traveler’s checks are accepted at a few major hotels and may also be exchanged for local currency at authorized exchange facilities ("casas de cambio").

I should emphasize the following:

Emerging Markets

Nicaragua is a country experiencing phenomenal growth. Tourism is up 394% in the last 12 years and real estate prices are rising rapidly in tandem with the influx of visitors. Foreign multinational investment is booming and the media is beginning to take note. Numerous articles have been published in publications such as the New York Times extolling the virtues of the New Nicaragua.

Globally, investors are looking for more great opportunities since the US and Western European markets are soft. This means places like Nicaragua will reap the benefits, as more investors look at emerging countries to discover the next hot market.

An emerging market represents a window of opportunity for forward-thinking investors. Twenty years ago those forward-thinking investors were looking at Costa Rica. Those that invested in Costa Rica were handsomely rewarded. Now all eyes have turned to Nicaragua and the country is growing in popularity every day.

The government of Nicaragua is democratically elected and stable and has been so for almost twenty years. Real estate laws in Nicaragua are more foreigner-friendly than Mexico, which places restrictions on foreigners owning coastal property or Costa Rica, which gives substantial rights to squatters groups. In Nicaragua you can own fee-simple and you have the same rights as locals. Your investment is safe in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua is part of CAFTA, and is an active participant in the world economy. Recent investments made by the largest banks underscore the faith that large and influential institutions have in the country of Nicaragua.

Furthermore, Nicaragua has the lowest crime rate in Latin America, according to Interpol, INCAE (the Harvard affiliated research group) and the Inter-American Institute on Human Rights.