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one-way to MGA?
Submitted by kakinzel on Fri, 2006/08/11 - 01:16.
Hello good NL folk,
It's over three years since I've been in that little paradise called Nicaragua and I thank all of you for helping me feel like it's not so distant.
This summer I sold my house in Florida (while the selling was still good), put my household goods in storage, and am now preparing for the long-awaited move south. My plan is to be in Nicaragua 6 to 9 months, travelling light, studying Spanish, and looking around for a place to settle and homestead - perhaps somewhere in the Jinotega / Lago Apanas area. Once I find my place it's back to the US to get my things, say my goodbyes and make the big move. I have learned much on this site about living and doing business in Nicaragua - thanks again to all who contribute!
I shall be buying an airline ticket any day but still have one huge concern which I haven't seen posted and hope someone out there can answer. My itinerary above would require three flights: Fla to Nica, back to Fla and return to Nica. The most logical thing seems to be to fly one-way to Managua now and then it would be a round-trip to Fla and back next spring. But I read that to enter the country one must have either thru passage to another destination or a round-trip ticket. All previous trips to Nicaragua have been RT so it was never an issue for me until now. Has anyone recently flown one-way to MGA -what's the deal?
Thanking you in advance
-Ken
Question may be moot
I recently had to buy a one-way ticket in the other direction -- Managua -San Francisco. The cost of a one-way ticket was only a few dollars less than round trip. I think this is pretty standard. Check it out, and maybe buying a one-way ticket won't be a serious issue for you.
1-way vs roundtrip
That's a good point. One way tickets aren't half the price of a round trip.
In July I priced a multi-destination ticket from Miami to Panama City then from Panama City to Santo Domingo and then from Santo Domingo to Miami. I ended up buying a roundtrip from Miami to Panama City and another roundtrip from Panama City to DR. I had to fly back to Panama City before I could fly home but it was much cheaper doing it that way.
It wasn't a problem
I had always heard that rule also. But in January my family of four moved to Managua and arrived with one way tickets. No one asked any questions anywhere. We flew Continental.
American citizen can not use ONE WAY
I have learned form two sources that US Customers / Airlines will not let allow a one way ticket for Americans. The longest return is one year.
Supreme Regards from GEAdams
What?
What is US Customers/Airlines?
Who are Americans?
Who are these American Citizens?
Who uses one-way tickets if people from America can not use them?
Maybe its just Asians & Europeans & Fiji Islanders that use them.
Maybe the "rag-head" terrorists can use the one-way too.
Miskito Alan ®
Oh, for cryin' out loud!
Everyone knows what he means. You do too, Mr. "no Spanish allowed."
Rag head terrorists can afford round trip tickets and not use them. And they say it's Americans who are are wasteful! (Yes, those Americans!)
1-WAY TICKET
If you are making a permanent move then you should complete yor Rentista program before you leave the US. Then you can bring in your household effectd duty free and you won't have to worry about round trip tickets.
Round Trip Ticket
I've never had anyone ask to see my round trip ticket. They have only asked for my passport.
When?
Was that on your recent driving trip to northern USA (America)?
Miskito Alan ®
He did cross the boreder
He travelled across the Mason-Dixon line. They never check my ticket when I cross that line either. They just say, Y'all come back now, y'hear?"
Funny thing is..
Yankees think we mean it when we say Y'all come back now.
One-Way Kakinzel
Ken - I will agree with your proposed flight schedule.
#1 - MIA/MGA Taca - U$256/tax incl - OW - 08/30/06.
In 15 years of flying into MGA; I have never had "Immigration" ask me or seen anyone else asked for evidence of any on-going paid transportation ticket.
American Air has historically been very strict on this issue even if the Nicaraguan government is not strict. This requirement of an on-going ticket appears as a required condition of travel on their airport ticket agent's computer screen.
Taca has historically not been strict on this requirement.
I would do the following: I would buy the Taca ow/ticket. If the airline requires you to have have an onward ticket; I would buy a fully refundable ow/MGA-SJO ticket from the airline at that time. When you reach MGA; go to the airline office and cancel the ticket. If the MGA/SJO ticket is charged; credit will appear on the credit card statement within 60 days. If you pay cash for this ticket; your cash will be refunded upon request on reaching MGA.
For your rt/ticket purchase in the spring; I would buy an onward ticket on Tica Bus for U$17 from MGA to SJO and take that bus ticket back to the USA (America) and use the bus ticket for your onward ticket as you come back to MGA. This bus ticket is valid for one year.
Miskito Alan ®
gracias Alan & Kevin
for your response. I like the idea of going on Taca (and the $256 fare!) Right now I'm in St Petersburg and and would need to get to MIA somehow so I like the late afternoon flight. I had a feeling American would be very picky about this especially after yesterday's event in England. I'll try to get someone to send me a bus ticket to SJO and see if that covers me for onward destination. I will have to go there anyway within 90 days to renew visa. Did I understand correctly that these tickets are good anytime up to a year and not for a specific date? Are you recommending Tica Bus over TransNica? I'm still open to any and all suggestions. Alan, you've said you know trustworthy taxis that meet you at MGA that you would recommend - perhaps you could PM me that info as I get closer to arrival date. I'd appreciate that. Most certainly I'll be going to Port for a visit- got enough grits? Need any other essentials like Zatarain's, Tony Chachere's? Thanks again.
Tica/Nica Bus
I know that Tica Bus tickets are good for one year and cost U$17 with a validity of one year. I also think that the prestige of this bus line is higher in airline/immagracion people's minds.
The Tica Bus tickets are valid anytime within a year; but, if you actually use the ticket, make reservations. The company has an ofice near the "Plaza Inter Mall" and the "Hotel Crowne Palace"; but, do not walk to that office because of the surrounding bad neighborhood. Take a U$.60 taxi ride.
I don't know that much about "Nica Bus".
Miskito Alan ®
i think
that you can buy a round trip and have the trip home up to six months. this may be a little to soon but that might help. then if you have to stay more that six months you could ask for an extention. this might help. also when i moved i could only stay 90 days at a time. every 90 days i had to go and get an extention as well until i got my residency. if you have more questions you can email me if you want.
Ticket
I think the requirement for an onward/return ticket is the same for just about every country. I have never been asked to show it anywhere. Like Alan said I think it will be a bigger issue with the airlines than Nicaragua. That said, I would buy a o/w to MGA on Taca, if you are asked to show a return ticket tell them you are going to Costa Rica or something of the such. The worst that could happen is you will have to buy a return ticket & at that time you can buy a fully refundable r/t ticket Mga-Mia / Mia-Mga.
Kevin: Why - Oh Why?
I have used the fully refundable ow/MGA-SJO ticket as an onward pass before without any problem and when one reaches MGA; the refunded money can be picked up immediately.
Why do say "buy a rt/ticket MIA/MGA-MGA/Mia plus the ow/ticket to get to Nica?
A person can buy the ow/MGA-SJO in the Miami airport just like one would buy your suggested ticket in MIA except you are talking about much more money for that ticket.
I seriously do not understand your point on this one.
Miskito Alan ®
I thought
He was going to return to Mia then come back to Mga. Either way I would not sweat it, I don't think it will be an issue except like you said the airlines may be the biggest problem. He could probably buy a tica bus ticket online if he wanted some cheap insurance. The MGA-SJO would not be much more & like you said probably easier to get a refund on.
Clarifications:
Ken said that he wanted to buy a one-way ticket and stay in MGA for 6 months or so and then go back to MIA. I suggested that if he has to buy an onward ticket that he can buy a fully refundable ow/SJO in MIA and collect the refund upon reaching MGA. As I commented above, a ow/MIA-MGA can be bought for U$276 with all taxes included via "Travelocity". I don't know how he could buy a "Tica" bus ticket in MIA. If he has a friend in Nica, possibly a friend could buy a bus ticket and mail to him in St. Augustine.
Ken also said that he would buy a rt/MGA-MIA and return for his permanent stay in Nica. I did suggest in my above comment that he buy a "Tica" bus ticket while in MGA to have proof of onward travel when returning in the summer to MGA. "Tica" bus tickets are not available on-line.
Miskito Alan ®
All so complicated
Too early, still working on my first pot of coffee & was up late yesterday with my research work. I think he should go to Nicaragua & not worry about it, All of the backpackers do the same thing & they let them in.
What the Hell?
Are you trying to say that FAP's Extreme Cigars combined with Pellas' FDC gives one a greater "goma" than the usual FDC "goma"?
Maybe combined with "Chino Cuisine" was the "kicker"?
Miskito Alan ®
What The Hell Indeed
Extreme Cigar x 2 + FDC 5 = Extreme Goma. Damn you Felix & the Pellas' too & oh yeah that nice Asian man also..