Whew, I was sweating it today, literally. I spoke to Dan earlier this week about passport issues and the fact that mine expires in October. Yeah, it’s been 10 years since I lived in the British Virgin Islands, the reason I first got a passport. Anyway, he told me some countries require you have 6 months left on your passport before entering their country. Let’s… carry the one… yup, only 5 months left by the time we head off to Central America. Not good. The passport agency is months behind for passport renewals and new passport applications since several countries now require valid passports where before they only required a birth certificate.

This of course put me into a frenzy. So over lunch today I walked up to the Post Office and spoke to a woman up there. She gave me a phone number to call. After a half an hour of prompts and being on hold I finally got to someone who could help me. As it turns out I couldn’t make an emergency appointment because I’m 10 days over the minimum deadline of 14 days. Which means I’d have to call back in on the 9th and make a rush appt. to renew the ole’ Passport. So as an alternative her (phone operator) and I got online and went through Travel.State.Gov together and did a little research to make sure I even needed to go through the trouble.

Nope – I’m all good! Ah, that was a relief. Here’s the info I found:

“NICARAGUA – *Valid passport, onward/return ticket, proof of sufficient funds and entry fee required for a stay of up to 30 days. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be purchased ($5) upon arrival. Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days. Visitors remaining more than the authorized time must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan Immigration. A valid entry stamp is required to exit Nicaragua. Airport departure tax $32. “

No 6 month minimum left on your passport for entry. Nice! The countdown’s down to a little over three weeks!