SpanishSpeakingPractice🇳🇮 Nicaragua guide

Renting an apartment in Nicaragua

Find your casa colonial or beach apartment — in Spanish.

Nicaraguan rentals split between colonial cities (Granada, León), the capital (Managua), and beach/surf towns (San Juan del Sur, Popoyo). Granada and León rent mostly in córdobas with informal contracts; San Juan del Sur and Managua expat zones often quote in USD with more formal leases.

Phrases you'll hear: 'mes adelantado' (one month upfront), 'depósito' (one month deposit), 'servicios' (utilities), 'amueblada' (furnished). Most landlords prefer cash for the first months — bring USD if you can.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
casa / apartamentohouse / apartment
alquiler / rentarent
dueño / dueñaowner
depósitodeposit (usually one month)
mes adelantadofirst month upfront
amueblada / sin amueblarfurnished / unfurnished
servicios incluidosutilities included
luz / agua / internetelectricity / water / internet
patio internointerior courtyard (common in colonial homes)
abanico / aire acondicionadoceiling fan / AC
garaje / parqueogarage / parking
contrato de seis mesessix-month lease
vaya puesalright then (closing the deal)

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

WhatsApp with a Granada landlord

Colonial house with patio, two blocks from Parque Central.

  • You

    Buenas, vi su casa publicada. ¿Todavía está disponible?

    Hi, I saw your house listed. Is it still available?

  • Dueña

    Sí, todavía. ¿De dónde sos vos?

    Yes, still available. Where are you from?

  • You

    Soy de Estados Unidos, vengo por seis meses. ¿Cuánto es el alquiler y qué incluye?

    I'm from the US, coming for six months. How much is the rent and what's included?

  • Dueña

    Son seiscientos dólares al mes, amueblada. Incluye agua e internet. La luz va aparte.

    $600 a month, furnished. Includes water and internet. Electricity separately.

  • You

    ¿Tiene aire acondicionado en los cuartos? Acá hace bastante calor.

    Does it have AC in the bedrooms? It gets pretty hot here.

  • Dueña

    Tiene abanicos en todos lados y aire en el cuarto principal.

    Ceiling fans everywhere and AC in the master bedroom.

  • You

    Tuani. ¿El depósito es un mes más uno adelantado?

    Cool. Is it one month deposit plus one upfront?

  • Dueña

    Sí, así es. ¿Cuándo querés verla?

    Yes, that's right. When do you want to see it?

  • You

    ¿Mañana en la mañana te queda bien?

    Does tomorrow morning work for you?

  • Dueña

    Dale pues, te espero a las nueve.

    Sounds good, I'll see you at nine.

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Nicaragua local tips

Granada and León expect cash, USD welcome

Most colonial-city owners prefer cash deposits in USD or córdobas. Wire transfers are uncommon for short-term leases.

Ask about the breeze, not just the AC

Many Granada houses are designed for cross-ventilation through the patio. A well-oriented house with abanicos can be cooler than a sealed apartment with AC.

San Juan del Sur is its own market

Surf-town rentals are mostly monthly Airbnb-style, USD, and busiest from December through March. Book early or arrive in low season for better deals.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Send a voice note to a landlord in voseo: greeting, dates, 3 questions (incluido, AC, depósito).
  2. 02Ask if the deposit is refundable when you leave.
  3. 03Negotiate the rent down by $50 in exchange for paying 3 months upfront.

FAQs

Do I need a Nicaraguan guarantor?

Almost never for foreigners on short or medium stays. Most owners want a passport copy, one month deposit and the first month upfront.

Is it safe to send a deposit by transfer before I arrive?

Risky. Prefer to view in person or use a trusted Airbnb-style platform for the first month, then sign a longer lease once you're on the ground.

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