Local language: Spanish. English is not confirmed by the source.
National emergency number
Source: web.archive.org · authority’s page (archived copy) · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
https://web.archive.org/web/20260409053419/https://www.policia.gob.ni/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Resultados-del-Plan-de-Prevenci%C3%B3n-y-Seguridad-dirigido-a-Madres-de-Familias-del-jueves-19-al-mi%C3%A9rcoles-25-de-marzo-2026.pdf (Policía Nacional, March 2026; live site unreachable, checked 2026-10-14) — “La Policía Nacional recuerda a la población que la Línea de Emergencia 118 está disponible las 24 horas del día para atender situaciones de emergencia.”; https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/nicaragua (checked 2026-10-14) — “In case of emergency, dial: police: 118 medical assistance: 128 firefighters: 115”
INETER publishes a weekly ocean-atmosphere forecast bulletin (Boletín de Pronóstico Oceánico – Atmosférico), written for fishers.
Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “Boletín de Pronóstico Oceánico – Atmosférico (Insumo Para la Pesca) del 08 al 14 de Octubre 2026”
Hurricane season: Pacific 15 May – 30 November; Caribbean 1 June – 30 November.
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) · NOAA National Hurricane Center · NOAA National Hurricane Center ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The hurricane season is from mid-May to the end of November in the Pacific, and from early June to the end of November in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.”
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30.”
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.”
Official warnings
Strong currents off parts of the Pacific coast have drowned people. There are no warning signs or lifeguards, and rescue equipment is not readily available.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There are strong currents off sections of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast and people have drowned. There are no warning signs or lifeguards, and rescue equipment is not readily available.”
Local law requires water-transport operators to be insured, but some carry no recognised insurance.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Although local law requires operators of water transport to have insurance, some still do not carry recognised insurance.”
Divers have died off the Caribbean coast.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There have been fatalities from scuba diving off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast.”
Divers: recompression
Nicaragua's only hyperbaric chamber is in Puerto Cabezas, a 5-hour speedboat ride from Corn Island.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Nicaragua’s only hyperbaric chamber is in Puerto Cabezas, a 5-hour speedboat ride from Corn Island.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Nicaragua?+
In Nicaragua, call 118 and ask for Fuerza Naval. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Nicaragua?+
118 is the number the authorities in Nicaragua give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Nicaragua.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Nicaragua?+
Hurricane season: Pacific 15 May – 30 November; Caribbean 1 June – 30 November.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Nicaragua?+
INETER publishes a weekly ocean-atmosphere forecast bulletin (Boletín de Pronóstico Oceánico – Atmosférico), written for fishers.
Change history
Costa Rica: the Caribbean area now stops short of San Juan del Norte (Greytown), which is Nicaraguan and now gets Nicaragua’s number.
Necessary cookies are always on. Analytics and marketing — including the Meta pixel used for Facebook and Instagram ads — load only if you allow. App location is never used for ads.