The city of Rivas, Nicaragua is located on an isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Nicaragua. It was once a necessary stop along the arduous route that prospectors had to traverse to get to San Juan del Sur during the gold rush, and since then, a modern city has grown from humble beginnings.
In recent years, Nicaragua’s political climate has stabilized somewhat and the city of Rivas has become a popular destination for all types of travelers. The city and its surrounding areas are filled with beautiful beaches, luscious nature reserves, and vibrant culture. The city has a long colonial history, and remnants of that history can be seen in the churches and cemeteries that line the streets, as well as in several intriguing museums. If you want to see everything that Rivas has to offer, the best way to get around the city is to hire a motorbike and explore on your own time.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Rivas. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to drive a motorbike in Nicaragua
- Safety issues concerned with driving in Rivas
- Where to hire a motorcycle in Rivas
- The cost of motorcycle hire in Rivas
- The best things to do by motorbike in Rivas
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Rent a Motorbike in Nicaragua?
If you are not a legal resident of Nicaragua, you will need to obtain an international driving permit before renting a motorcycle or any other kind of motor vehicle within the country. Many rental shops in Nicaragua will rent you a motorcycle without an IDP, but you run the risk of being fined or deported if you’re caught driving without one.
If you want to get an international driving permit, you can apply for one here. There is a $20 application fee. You should apply for your IDP at least two weeks before departing for Nicaragua, because that’s typically how long it takes to arrive in the mail. Once you have your permit, it’s valid for one full year.
Is It Safe To Ride a Motorcycle in Rivas, Nicaragua?
You can easily rent a vehicle and have a great time exploring the city of Rivas and the Pacific coast on its border. However, make no mistake, driving in Rivas is no easy task. If you aren’t comfortable with riding a rental motorcycle, Nicaragua is not the place to try it, especially if you plan on driving along the Caribbean coast of the country.
In the areas around Rivas, you should always keep an eye out for potholes, drunk drivers, taxis and local drivers ignoring the laws of the road, and animals walking into the street. The signage in the city is also often hard to see or missing completely. When it rains, the streets can often become flooded too, which can make it even harder to drive. You’re also at risk of being pulled over by corrupt police that may try to solicit a bribe from you.
All that being said, driving a hired motorbike in Rivas gives you the freedom to explore the city on your own time. If you’re comfortable with all of the previously mentioned hazards, you should absolutely hire a motorbike.
Where Can You Hire a Motorcycle in Rivas?
If you plan on flying into Costa Esmeralda Airport, also known as Emerald Coast Airport, the main airport serving the area around Rivas, you probably won’t be able to find a rental motorcycle there. Instead, you’ll have to take a taxi into the actual city and look for motorbike hire there.
The best place in the city for finding a motorcycle rental shop is near the bus station in the north end of the city. If you don’t know where that is, ask someone for directions to the Iglesia de San Francisco and you’ll be in the generally right area. If you walk around the streets in that part of town, you’re sure to stumble into a rental shop sooner or later.
What Is the Cost of Motorbike Hire In Rivas?
In general, motorcycle rental in Rivas and all around Nicaragua is extremely affordable. You can find motorcycles for rent at about $20 per day, and sometimes you can get an even better deal for weekly or monthly rentals.
If you want something a little more powerful, you can rent a 200cc motorcycle, such as a Raybar 200cc, for as little as $25 per day. Even more powerful motorcycles and motorbikes are also available for a higher cost, but in general, everything is pretty cheap.
What Are Some Things To Do In Rivas, Nicaragua?
Now that you’ve learned all of the necessary information for hiring a motorbike in Rivas, here are some of the best places to visit in the city with your rental motorbike:
La Flor Wildlife Refuge
Located about an hour south of Rivas by motorcycle, La Flor Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nicaragua. The refuge features a beautiful beach where the famous Olive Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs. The site is also one of the most important breeding grounds for these turtles in the entire world.
There’s far more than just these impressive turtles, however. At certain times of the year, you can see all sorts of different marine life, birds, insects, and more. Entrance to the refuge costs 200 Nicaraguan cordoba, which is equivalent to a little over $5.
Museum of Anthropology and History of Rivas
If you want to stay within the city limits and you’re interested in the rich history of Nicaragua, make sure to visit the Museum of Anthropology and History of Rivas, located just a block from the northern bus terminal. You can lay your eyes on pre-Columbian artifacts and fascinating paintings, and you can even read some of the historical documents that can help you understand Nicaragua’s turbulent past.
The museum is located in an old colonial farmhouse that is actually one of the oldest houses in the entire city. It also happened to be the first house taken when the city was invaded by North American military man William Walker. The museum has a wealth of different expositions and even has mammoth bones on display. Entrance to the museum costs only $1 for foreigners.
Da Flying Frog Canopy Tour
If you like outdoor adventures, you’re going to love Da Flying Frog Canopy tour. This is the longest zipline tour in Nicaragua, and it offers incredible views of the San Juan del Sur and Rivas area.
The entire coastline of Nicaragua is filled with lush forests and interesting wildlife, so this is an experience you won’t want to miss. The price for booking the tour is $30, which is fairly expensive for Nicaragua, but it’s well worth it.
Motorcycle Rides in Rivas Are the Best
While driving in Rivas can be a bit dodgy sometimes, riding down the coastline Pacific coastline and zipping through forests is still an unforgettable experience that you don’t want to miss out on. So, hop on a rental motorcycle and get going!
Do you still have questions about motorcycle rentals in Rivas? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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