• Budget: US$3-5
  
• Mid-range: US$5-15
  
• Top-end: US$15 and upwards
  
  

Comfortable travel in Nicaragua costs in the range of US$30-50 a day. A moderate budget will fall in the US$20-30 a day range if you hire a car occasionally. Budget travelers can get by on between US$10 and US$20 a day if they confine themselves to public transport. The Caribbean Coast is a bit more expensive than elsewhere in the country. While the last several years have witnessed the rapid expansion of the private banking system, traveler's checks remain difficult to cash, except at border crossings and in Managua. Casas de cambio such as Pinolero and Multicambios provide the service, but it's not easy to find a bank that will do so.

All over Nicaragua, many moderately priced hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, and in some parts of the country, even most of the cheapest places accept them. Note that Nicaraguan córdobas cannot readily be changed in any other country. Most Nicaraguans do not leave tips in inexpensive restaurants. In good restaurants you could leave up to 10% of the bill. Some restaurants include a service charge with the bill, and this is usually clearly shown. Don't confuse a tip with the nationwide 15% value added tax that is shown on each bill. Be certain to bargain in large outdoor markets.