Bringing binoculars into Nicaragua for birdwatching

Member since 02 January 2023

jeffhoneyMember02 January 2023 12:46:41

We are planning to visit expat friends on the Pacific side of Nicaragua. We have been told that recently border officials have been periodically confiscating binoculars. We want to bring in a pair for birdwatching. We are entering via the land border at Liberia. Is there any recent information about what is being stopped at the border?

TobinDay New member

Member since 16 May 2022

TobinDayNew member03 January 2023 12:34:53

It seems like sort of hit and miss, we have a pair of binoculars that we brought in, and are friends brought down a drone, which I don't think is legal. But it probably depends on the mood of the border gaurd.

Since there is a descent chance of them getting confinscated, lost or broken, my recommendation is that you buy a cheap pair to bring, that way if you do lose them, it's not as big a deal.

also don't bring the binocs in their original package. Anything in a brand new box will get taxed extra because they think you might be trying to resell it.

Our group had some duffle-bags full of phones, laptops etc. but they didn't really care that much, but the guy in front of us had a bluetooth speaker that was brand new, so they made him pay extra.

Overall, probably 25% chance of being confinscated