What Currency Does Nicaragua Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 36.79 NIO
1 GBP ≈ 49.32 NIO
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
NIO converter
100 NIO ≈ 2.7179 USD
Nicaraguan córdoba conversion table
| Amount | USD → NIO | GBP → NIO | EUR → NIO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36.79 | 49.32 | 42.03 |
| 5 | 183.97 | 246.62 | 210.13 |
| 10 | 367.93 | 493.25 | 420.26 |
| 20 | 735.87 | 986.50 | 840.51 |
| 50 | 1,840 | 2,466 | 2,101 |
| 100 | 3,679 | 4,932 | 4,203 |
| 500 | 18,397 | 24,662 | 21,013 |
| 1,000 | 36,793 | 49,325 | 42,026 |
| NIO | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0272 | 0.0203 | 0.0238 |
| 5 | 0.1359 | 0.1014 | 0.119 |
| 10 | 0.2718 | 0.2027 | 0.238 |
| 20 | 0.5436 | 0.4055 | 0.4759 |
| 50 | 1.3589 | 1.0137 | 1.1898 |
| 100 | 2.7179 | 2.0274 | 2.3795 |
| 500 | 13.59 | 10.14 | 11.90 |
| 1,000 | 27.18 | 20.27 | 23.80 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 NIO is worth about 0.0272 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Nicaraguan córdoba ranks 68th by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Nicaragua? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Nicaraguan córdoba spending.
What is money called in Nicaragua?
Money in Nicaragua is called the Nicaraguan córdoba — its ISO 4217 currency code is NIO, and its symbol is C$. The Nicaraguan córdoba is the official legal tender in Nicaragua and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Nicaragua currency or simply money in Nicaragua.
Is the Nicaraguan córdoba used anywhere else?
No — Nicaragua is the only country on this site using the Nicaraguan córdoba as its official currency.
Practical money tips for Nicaragua
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Nicaraguan córdoba in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Nicaragua in context
- Nicaragua covers 130,373 km², making it the 96th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 2 countries: Costa Rica, Honduras.
- With 6,803,886 people, Nicaragua holds about 13.4% of the population of Central America.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Nicaragua is a member state of the United Nations.
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Nicaragua currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Nicaragua?
The currency of Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan córdoba (currency code: NIO, symbol: C$).
What is the currency code for Nicaragua?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Nicaraguan córdoba is NIO.
What is the Nicaraguan córdoba symbol?
The symbol for the Nicaraguan córdoba is C$. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Nicaragua.
What currency is used in Nicaragua?
The official currency used in Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO).
Can I use US dollars in Nicaragua?
The official currency of Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan córdoba, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Nicaraguan córdoba and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Nicaragua?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 36.79 NIO and 1 GBP = 49.32 NIO. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Nicaragua?
Money in Nicaragua is called the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO).
Do other countries use the Nicaraguan córdoba?
No — Nicaragua is the only country on this site using the Nicaraguan córdoba as its official currency.
What is the Nicaraguan currency?
The Nicaraguan currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO), the official money of Nicaragua.
What is the currency of the Republic of Nicaragua?
The Republic of Nicaragua is the formal name of Nicaragua. Its currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO).
How much is 100 NIO in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 NIO is about 2.7179 USD or 2.0274 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Nicaraguan córdoba?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 3,679 NIO.
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