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?

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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