Nicaragua: 2 Best Prepaid SIM Cards Buying Guide (2022)

Nicaragua – known for the large number of lakes, volcanoes & architecture.

When speaking of lakes, the country has Central America‘s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua (and it has freshwater too).

Beaches, watersport activities, and history – Nicaragua has it all.

You will certainly not be bored when exploring the country.

Before you start sharing all your Nicaragua experiences online, be aware of the potential bill shock you may experience when you roam internationally.

International roaming can be incredibly expensive. Most often, the costs are not worth the service you get.

Fortunately, you can get a local SIM card, like a Nicaraguan one, so that you can enjoy local rates.

Much cheaper, and you often have a better network experience too.

So, how expensive are SIM cards in Nicaragua?

You can get a Nicaraguan SIM card for 50 NIO (1.40 USD) from Claro and Tigo in their stores or resellers, like convenience stores. SIM cards are also sold at Managua-Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA).

Low rates, right? Some operators may charge you 2 USD per MB – not worth it!

Before you get all excited about these low rates, there are some things to be aware of when thinking of Nicaraguan SIM cards.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Nicaragua. Let's do this.

Original publication: 10th of January 2020. Last updated: 19th of September 2022.

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Table of Contents

Can You Buy a SIM Card in Nicaragua?

Anyone living in or visiting Nicaragua can buy a Nicaraguan SIM card from Claro or Tigo (formerly Movistar) in their stores with some restrictions.

Your phone has to support the frequencies used in Nicaragua.

Furthermore, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Nicaraguan SIM card.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Nicaragua?

You can get a Nicaraguan SIM card in Claro and Tigo (formerly Movistar) stores. Resellers, like post offices, newsstands & grocery stores, also sell SIM cards. They are also sold at Managua-Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA).

You can expect to pay the following for Nicaraguan SIM cards:

• Claro Nicaragua: 50 NIO
• Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar): 50 NIO

TIP: Check out my SIM card prices lookup tool for a detailed overview of SIM card starter pack benefits (for Nicaraguan SIM cards and SIM cards worldwide).

Can You Use Your Phone in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua uses GSM for its cellular communications, meaning that you need a GSM-capable phone to use your phone in the country. CMDA-phones will not work in Nicaragua, but there is about a 99% chance you have a GSM phone anyway.

Besides that, you need to be aware of the ITU regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.

Nicaragua uses American frequencies, which are used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).

Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.

In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.

If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Nicaragua.

If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Nicaragua or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).

If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Nicaragua (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.

Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Nicaragua

Nicaragua has three mobile operators:

• Claro Nicaragua
• Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar Nicaragua)
• CooTel Nicaragua

The following frequencies are used in Nicaragua:

• 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 1700 MHz (Band 4) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)

You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.

To check whether your phone will work in Nicaragua, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).

Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).

If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.

A Note about CooTel Nicaragua

CooTel Nicaragua, not to be confused with Cootel in Cambodia, is Nicaragua's smallest mobile operator.

It is backed by Xinwei, a Chinese company, and launched in 2016.

CooTel uses a different system than Claro Nicaragua and Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar). You cannot get a CooTel SIM card.

Instead, you have to rent or buy a CooTel device, which then can connect to CooTel's 3G network (@ 1700 MHz).

CooTel's coverage is still limited, especially compared to Claro and Tigo.

Moreover, 4G/LTE is not available on the CooTel network, meaning that speeds are even slower than they have to be in the country.

In the first version of this guide (we are now at the third version – yes, I keep guides updated 😉), I included CooTel.

However, as this guide is about buying SIM cards and CooTel does not offer SIM cards, it has been removed from this guide.

Right now, there are no solid pros for going with CooTel, except for the fact that you can get an unlimited data plan for 20 USD… @ 1.5 Mbps.

Or because your phone does not support the frequencies used in Nicaragua.

For more information about CooTel, check out its website (in Spanish).

This wiki has some information in English (which may be outdated).

VoLTE & VoWiFi in Nicaragua

Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Nicaragua (yet).

This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.

This is also why you often cannot use mobile data while calling if not connected to WiFi.

VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.

5G NR in Nicaragua

5G NR is not available in Nicaragua as of 2022, and the Nicaraguan government has not made any indications of when they will auction 5G licenses.

Best SIM Card in Nicaragua

Best eSIM in Nicaragua

Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM (to prepaid customers) in Nicaragua yet.

However, you can get travel eSIMs from Airalo, Holafly & Nomad.

Airalo has the Nicarcell eSIMs:

You have one option:

1. Nicaragua/Nicarcell 1 GB eSIM for 7 days

For Airalo eSIMs, the links above and below will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.

For an in-depth analysis of the Nicaragua Nicaracell eSIMs (covering pros and cons as well), check out my Nicaragua eSIMs Compared guide.

You can also get Nicaragua eSIMs from Nomad.

Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps), such as getting 3 USD off!

For an in-depth analysis of the Nomad Nicaragua eSIMs (covering pros and cons as well), check out my Nicaragua eSIMs Compared guide.

Finally, you can get Nicaragua eSIMs from Holafly:

• Nicaragua 6 GB eSIM for 15 days

Use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!

For an in-depth analysis of the Holafly Nicaragua eSIMs (covering pros and cons as well), check out my Nicaragua eSIMs Compared guide.

With these eSIMs, you can skip Nicaragua's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Nicaragua!

TIP: check out my Best Nicaragua eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Nicaragua.

If you plan on visiting other neighboring countries, or any nation globally, consider the Nomad Global eSIMs (three variants: 1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) in Nicaragua and these other countries:

Remember to use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps).

Best International/Travel SIM Card for Nicaragua

If you want to buy the best international/travel SIM card for Nicaragua, I recommend going with SimCorner's 12 GB Nicaragua SIM card for 30 days. Consider SimCorner's South America Travel SIM card, also with 12 GB, valid for 30 days in Nicaragua and (Central+) South America, including Costa Rica & El Salvador.

SimCorner's South America SIM card can, in addition to the aforementioned countries, also be used in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico & Uruguay.

Use discount code PHONETRAVELWIZ for extra savings!

SIM Card Registration in Nicaragua

SIM card registration, with the use of your personal information (such as your passport), is not required when buying a SIM card in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights

Being redone.

Currency in Nicaragua

Nicaragua uses the Nicaraguan Córdoba with the symbol NIO (which will be used throughout this guide).

However, prices are often listed as just or C$. For example, 25 NIO = C$25.

For reference, below are some exchange rates between NIO and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 NIO = 0.02 USD
• 10 NIO = 0.30 USD
• 100 NIO = 2.85 USD
• 1000 NIO = 28.65 USD

For up-to-date NIO:your currency (let's say USD – US Dollar) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.

Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).

I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!

Nicaraguan Prepaid SIM Cards

Below, I will guide you through Claro Nicaragua & Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar), and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices, and availability
• Recharge / top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs) 

With that being said, let’s see what Nicaragua has to offer to us.

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Claro Nicaragua

Claro Nicaragua, just Claro, is the largest mobile operator in Nicaragua.

Claro, as a company, is active in Central America and South America.

Claro uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4)
• VoLTE: No
• VoWiFi: No

This is what you will learn about Claro:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Claro SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Claro Nicaragua

Claro has extensive coverage throughout Nicaragua.

Below is Claro's coverage map:

SIM Card Price – Claro Nicaragua

You can buy a Claro SIM card, called Mega Chip Claro, for 50 NIO 1 GB (2 days)/2 GB (7 days) and unlimited Facebook, Facebook Messenger & WhatsApp data (2 days/7 days) in Claro stores and from resellers, like grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores. Claro SIM cards are also sold at Managua-Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA).

When you recharge 50 NIO or more when buying your Claro SIM card, your top-up amount will be quadrupled (4*), and you will get 150 MB of and 150 local SMS for 30 days.

Claro has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

Therefore, if you wish to use an eSIM, you can go with the Nicaragua (Nicarcell) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data valid for 7 days.

If you need more data or a longer validity, you can get Nicaragua eSIMs from Nomad.

Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps).

For Airalo eSIMs, the links above will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Claro.

Text NUMERO to 686 to see your Claro phone number.

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Claro Nicaragua

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Claro Nicaragua

Claro has three data-featured plans:

• Todo Incluido/All Inclusive (combo)
• Paquetes Todo Voz/All Voice Packages (combo)
• Planes Prepago de Internet/Internet Prepaid Plans (as the name suggests)

All Claro plans can be activated by dialing *555#.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Todo Incluido (All Inclusive) Plans – Claro Nicaragua

The Todo Incluido (All Inclusive) plans are combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.

Todo Incluido can be activated by dialing *555#:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Media Data	On-Net Minutes	Off-Net/International Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
20 NIO	TODO 7	500 MB	Unlimited 1	25 minutes	Shared with on-net call allowance 4	25 SMS	1 day
30 NIO	TODO 8	800 MB	Unlimited 1	35 minutes 3	Shared with on-net call allowance 4	35 SMS	2 days
50 NIO	TODO 1	2.5 GB	Unlimited 2	100 minutes	10 minutes 5	100 SMS	4 days
70 NIO	TODO 2	3.5 GB	Unlimited 3	Unlimited	20 minutes 5	1000 SMS	6 days
100 NIO	TODO 3	4.5 GB	Unlimited 3	Unlimited	40 minutes 5	3000 SMS	7 days
200 NIO	TODO 4	7 GB	Unlimited 3	Unlimited	50 minutes 5	Unlimited	15 days
300 NIO	TODO 5	10 GB	Unlimited 3	Unlimited	60 minutes 5	Unlimited	15 days

¹ for Twitter & WhatsApp
² for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter & WhatsApp | 1 GB for Spotify & 2 GB for TikTok & YouTube
³ for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Twitter & WhatsApp | 3 GB for TikTok & YouTube
⁴ for off-net use and to Canada, Central America, Mexico & the United States
⁵ for off-net use and to Canada, Mexico & the United States

Paquetes Todo Voz (All Voice Packages) – Claro Nicaragua

The Paquetes Todo Voz (All Voice Packages) are combo plans with data and minutes.

Paquetes Todo Voz can be activated by dialing *555#:

Price	Plan	WhatsApp Data	On-Net Minutes	Validity
30 NIO	Todo Voz	Unlimited	Unlimited	2 days
50 NIO	Todo 6	Unlimited	Unlimited	4 days

Planes Prepago de Internet (Internet Prepaid Plans) – Claro Nicaragua

The Planes Prepago de Internet (Internet Prepaid Plans) are, as the name implies, data plans.

Planes Prepago de Internet can be activated by dialing *555#:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Media Data	Validity
10 NIO	100 MB Internet-Datos	100 MB	Unlimited 1	1 day
20 NIO	250 MB Internet-Datos	250 MB	Unlimited 1	1 day
30 NIO	300 MB Internet-Datos	300 MB	Unlimited 1	2 days
50 NIO	1.8 GB Internet-Datos	1.8 GB	Unlimited 2	4 days
80 NIO	3 GB Internet-Datos	3 GB	Unlimited 3	5 days
110 NIO	4.5 GB Internet-Datos	4.5 GB	Unlimited 3	7 days
130 NIO	6 GB Internet-Datos	6 GB	Unlimited 3	7 days
230 NIO	7.5 GB Internet-Datos	7.5 GB	Unlimited 3	15 days
600 NIO	15 GB Internet-Datos	15 GB	Unlimited 3	30 days

¹ for Twitter & WhatsApp
² for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter & WhatsApp | 1 GB for Spotify & 2 GB for TikTok & YouTube
³ for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Twitter & WhatsApp | 3 GB for TikTok & YouTube

APN/Internet Settings – Claro Nicaragua

• Name: Internet
• APN: internet.ideasclaro
• Username: default
• Password: default

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

Tigo Nicaragua, just Tigo and formerly known as Movistar Nicaragua, is the other mobile operator in Nicaragua.

The mobile operator also has the fastest speeds.

Tigo, as a company, is active in various countries in Latin America and in Tanzania.

Tigo uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 1900 MHz (Band 2)
• VoLTE: No
• VoWiFi: No

This is what you will learn about Tigo:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Tigo SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

Tigo has the best coverage in Nicaragua.

Below is Tigo's coverage map:

SIM Card Price – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

You can buy a Tigo SIM card, called SuperChip, for 50 NIO with 375 MB of data and unlimited WhatsApp for 2 days (if you text SUPERCHIP to 7000) in Tigo stores and from resellers, like grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores. Claro SIM cards may be sold at Managua-Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA).

When Tigo was still Movistar, it did sell SIM cards at the airport. I am not sure if this is still the case. If you know, let me know.

When you recharge 50 NIO or more upon purchasing your Tigo SIM card, your top-up amount will be quintupled (5*).

When you recharge 50 NIO or more when buying your Tigo SIM card, your top-up amount will be quintupled (5* – 250 NIO), and you will get 1 GB of data for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & WhatsApp for 1 day.

If you recharge 100 NIO or more when buying your Tigo SIM card, your top-up amount will be quintupled (5* – 500 NIO), and you will get 2 GB of data (7 days) & 1 GB for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & WhatsApp (1 day).

You get these benefits every first top-up of the month for three months.

Tigo has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

Therefore, if you wish to use an eSIM, you can go with the Nicaragua (Nicarcell) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data valid for 7 days.

If you need more data or a longer validity, you can get Nicaragua eSIMs from Nomad.

Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps).

For Airalo eSIMs, the links above will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Tigo.

Dial *686# or text num or numero to 2266 to see your Tigo phone number.

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

Tigo has four data-featured plans:

• Megapacks (combo)
• Paquetigos Gamer/Gamer Packages (combo)
• Preplanes (combo)
• Bonos de Internet/Internet Bonuses (data)

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Megapacks – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

The Megapacks are combo plans with data, minutes & SMS.

Megapacks can be activated by dialing *123 or *123#:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Media Data	On-Net Minutes	Off-Net/International Minutes 3	Local SMS	Validity	Activation Code
20 NIO	Mega 1	450 MB	Unlimited 1	N/A	20 minutes	20 SMS	1 day	MEGA1
30 NIO	Mega 2	700 MB	Unlimited 1	N/A	30 minutes	30 SMS	2 days	MEGA2
50 NIO	Mega 4	2.2 GB	Unlimited 2	N/A	80 minutes	80 SMS	4 days	MEGA4
70 NIO	Mega 5	3 GB	Unlimited 2	Unlimited	60 minutes	60 SMS	5 days	MEGA5
100 NIO	Mega 7	4 GB	Unlimited 2	Unlimited	80 minutes	80 SMS	7 days	MEGA7
200 NIO	Mega 15	6.2 GB	Unlimited 2	Unlimited	150 minutes	150 SMS	15 days	MEGA15

¹ for WhatsApp
² for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp
³ to Tigo Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Panama – not Belize; no Tigo there) & the United States

Paquetigos Gamer (Gamer Packages) – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

The Paquetigos Gamer are combo plans with data, minutes & SMS.

Paquetigos Gamer can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 7000 or dialing *123 or *123#:

Price	Plan	Data	Game Data 1	Social Media Data	On-Net Minutes	International Minutes 4	Local SMS	Validity	Activation Code
40 NIO	Gamer 2	700 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited 2	N/A	30 minutes	30 SMS	2 days	GAMER2
80 NIO	Gamer 5	3 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	60 minutes	60 SMS	5 days	GAMER5
120 NIO	Gamer 7	4 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	80 minutes	80 SMS	7 days	GAMER7

¹ for Brawl Stars, Call of Duty: Mobile, Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Free Fire, Fortnite, League of Legends, Minecraft, Mortal Kombat, PUBG Mobile & Roblox
² for WhatsApp
³ for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp
⁴ to Tigo Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Panama – not Belize; no Tigo there) & the United States

Preplanes – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

The Preplanes are combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.

Preplanes can be activated by dialing *134# and selecting option 1:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Media Data 1	On-Net Minutes	Off-Net/International Minutes 2	Local SMS	Validity
70 NIO	Semanal	3 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	20 minutes	20 SMS	7 days
100 NIO	Semanal Plus	4 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 minutes	30 SMS	7 days
200 NIO	Quincenal	6.2 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	40 minutes	40 SMS	15 days
300 NIO	Quincenal Plus	9 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	50 minutes	50 SMS	15 days

¹ for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp
² for off-net use, Tigo Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Panama – not Belize; no Tigo there) & the United States

Bonos de Internet (Internet Bonuses) – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

The Bonos de Internet (Internet Bonuses) are, as the name suggest, data plans.

Text the Activation Code to 7000 or dial *123 or *123# to activate Bonos de Internet:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Media Data 1	Validity	Activation Code
30 NIO	Nochenav	10 GB	N/A	1 night (20:00 – 6:00)	Nochenav
40 NIO	Hoy	10 GB	N/A	Until midnight	Hoy
50 NIO	Nav4	1.5 GB	Unlimited	4 days	Nav4
50 NIO	Navplus	3 GB	N/A	3 days	Navplus
100 NIO	Finnav	10 GB	N/A	1 weekend (Saturday 0:00 – Sunday 23:59)	Finnav
110 NIO	Nav7	3.7 GB	Unlimited	7 days	Nav7
250 NIO	Nav15	7.5 GB	Unlimited	15 days	Nav15
600 NIO	Nav30	12 GB	Unlimited	30 days	Nav30

¹ for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp

APN/Internet Settings – Tigo Nicaragua (formerly Movistar)

• Name: Tigo NI
• APN: internet.tigo.ni
• Username: tigoni
• Password: tigoni

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Nicaragua

Getting a SIM card from Tigo would do you well when considering a Nicaraguan SIM card.