Bank machines in Nicaragua?

So sorry Ms. B natural, I've had computer problems of late. I'll start w/bank machines. You won't have any problems in any of these cities. Your best bet are the larger "Supermercados" to avoid the long lines at the Banks. I purposely opened an acct. at "Citi" because I was aware of their recent "Merge/Buy In" of one of the larger Banks in Nica, I also have a "B of A" Card. Last Oct/Nov both cards worked at all 3 Market ATM's, in Nov. only 1 card worked in 1 Market and 1 in the others.1 gave your balance in Cordobas an the other in US$.Please don't drive a car there, at least until you have been there a while,I drove a truck here,US for 28 years, all 48 states, if I need to drive in Managua I'll keep to areas I know.There are no street signs.The main highways are excellent,but you will find a burro towing 1/2 a car or a Nica version of a "U-haul" trailer--ALL the time y everwhere. I've never rented a car there.Taxi, Bus or friends but "Budget" has quite a broad system there.Jinotega, Chinandega, Esteli, Granada and at least 5 locations in Managua, I'm aware of your "Triangle Search" we've chatted before, out on the west side de Managua there is great Bus service/depot. The small newer white busses have A/C - clean ...20 people or so, I would take one to Masaya o all the way down to S.J. del Sur - get a feel for the Hwy. -- Back up to Masaya, theres a "Budget" office there and shoot down to Huehuete. Save me a spot y 30 liter's de "Tonya" cause I'll be there in Nov. - PLEASE ..Don't drive in Managua. Buena Suerte. Siempre ... M. Swanson PS: Reservationes Budget, 011-505-266-6226... o Email www.reserve@budget.com.ni -- This is not an Endorsment I've never rented a car there -- They do have excellent maps.

They do have atms in the banks(leon, SJDS), but the power always goes out. You will not find an atm/bank in very small towns. Atm have good exchange rates. You can rent cars in many places. You can rent cars in San juan ,by the border and managua. Managua airport has the best rates and the largest selection. not sure about leon and carazo. If you do rent a car, rent a four wheel truck, for all the dirt roads and river beds. Car reservations are not reliable.

A bank machine is a bank machine, they are reliable. If you need to change your money into our local currency (Cordoba) there are men outside banks who do it for no fee, but make sure they work with the bank, or are reliable, if not, go inside and ask.

Now, as for cars, if you plan on driving in Managua, don't. We have no street signs and addresses are given using local landmarks, some of which don't even exist anymore, only us Managuans know. Taxis are no where near expensive, i highly recommend taking a taxi. But, if you insist on driving a car or truck, the best place to do so is in the Augusto Sandino International Airport. Budget has the most reasonable prices.

This is how it breaks down. America supports Democracy as long as the Democracy we are supporting in turn benefits us or supports us. Its the same old story through history. You like and help those who have the same beliefs or common goal that you have. All wars are because one group does not believe what the other group believes. it doesnt matter if it is religion or politics. The democrats and republicans theoreticaly want the same thing. They want to help the people of this country. Yet there views are different and they clash. This is how it works. When you start talking about democracies in other countries we want those countries who provide us with some sort of assistance to have a democracy that we know we can get along with. I would think it was better said that america does not support democracy but actually supports self interest and the best way to protect yourself is to make sure that countries believe the same thing you do. One final note I think what is lost in all this world wide policing and democracy crap is what the real problem is. America as a whole spends to much time worrying about what other countries are doing and not enough time worrying about ourselves. George Washington said it best "Avoid entangling foriegn affairs" What a wise man.