Going to the doctor in Nicaragua

Describe symptoms at Vivian Pellas, Metropolitano or your local clínica.

Nicaragua's private hospitals — Vivian Pellas, Hospital Metropolitano, Pellas Granada — are excellent and remarkably affordable. A GP visit runs USD $25–50, a specialist $40–80, and the staff are warm and unhurried.

The whole interaction runs in Spanish with voseo nica. The dialogues below cover booking, the consultation, and a pharmacy pickup at any of the chain farmacias.

Vocabulary

Spanish	English
INSS	Nicaraguan social security health system
hospital privado	private hospital
clínica	clinic
cita médica	doctor's appointment
consulta	consultation
emergencias	ER
médico general / especialista	GP / specialist
me duele…	my … hurts
tengo calentura / tos / gripe	I have fever / cough / flu (calentura = fever in Nicaragua)
alergia a…	allergy to…
receta médica	prescription
farmacia	pharmacy
genérico	generic
cada cuántas horas	every how many hours
constancia médica	doctor's note

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Booking an appointment by phone

You call Hospital Vivian Pellas from Managua.

You
Buenos días, quisiera una cita con medicina general lo más pronto posible.
Good morning, I'd like a general medicine appointment as soon as possible.
Operadora
¿Me regalás tu número de documento?
Could you give me your document number?
You
Es el pasaporte número AB doce treinta y cuatro.
It's passport number AB1234.
Operadora
Tengo cita hoy a las tres y media. ¿Te sirve?
I have an opening today at 3:30. Does that work?
You
Sí, gracias. ¿Llevo algún documento adicional?
Yes, thanks. Should I bring any extra documents?

Describing symptoms to the doctor

Consultation at Vivian Pellas, Managua.

Doctor
Contame, ¿qué te pasa?
Tell me, what's going on?
You
Tengo dolor de cabeza y calentura desde ayer.
I've had a headache and fever since yesterday.
Doctor
¿Cuánta calentura?
How much fever?
You
Anoche tuve treinta y nueve.
Last night I had 39.
Doctor
¿Sos alérgico a algún medicamento?
Are you allergic to any medication?
You
Soy alérgico a la penicilina.
I'm allergic to penicillin.
Doctor
Te voy a pedir un examen de sangre para descartar dengue. ¿Necesitás constancia médica?
I'll order a blood test to rule out dengue. Do you need a doctor's note?
You
Sí, por favor, por dos días. ¿Cada cuántas horas tomo el medicamento?
Yes please, for two days. How often do I take the medication?

At the farmacia

Farmacia in Plaza España, Managua.

You
Buenas, vengo a comprar estos medicamentos. Aquí está la receta.
Hi, I'm here to buy these medications. Here's the prescription.
Farmacéutico
¿Lo preferís de marca o genérico?
Brand or generic?
You
Genérico, por favor. ¿Cuánto sale en total?
Generic, please. How much total?
Farmacéutico
Quinientos veinte córdobas.
520 córdobas.

Nicaragua local tips

Vivian Pellas is the expat gold standard

World-class private hospital in Managua used by most expats and embassies. Cash prices are very reasonable, no insurance required.

Watch for dengue and chikungunya

Fever + body aches in Nicaragua often gets a dengue/chikungunya/zika panel ordered. Don't refuse — early diagnosis matters in rainy season.

Bring cash USD or córdobas

Most private clinics happily accept both. Insurance billing for foreigners is rare; expect to pay at checkout and submit later if you have travel insurance.

Practice prompts

01Book an appointment by phone, giving your passport number and confirming a time.
02Switch into voseo nica with the doctor: describe 3 symptoms and how long.
03State an allergy and ask for an alternative medication.
04Pay and pick up a prescription at the farmacia, asking for generic and the total.

FAQs

Do I need health insurance to see a doctor in Nicaragua?

No. Most private clinics happily take cash USD or córdobas. A GP visit at Vivian Pellas is around $30, a specialist $60 — far cheaper than US insurance copays.

Do Nicaraguan doctors speak English?

Many specialists at Vivian Pellas and Metropolitano do. GPs at smaller clinics usually don't. Ask 'el doctor habla inglés?' when booking.

Where is the best private hospital?

Hospital Vivian Pellas in Managua is the consensus pick for expats. Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas (sister) and Pellas Granada are also excellent.