Why are drones banned in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has not passed a law declaring drones illegal, but the current framework makes civilian use the exception rather than the rule. The Nicaraguan Civil Aeronautics Institute (INAC) requires registration and authorization for any remotely piloted aircraft, and importing equipment, including small consumer quadcopters, also requires a permit from the Nicaraguan Army, which has authority over airspace and material deemed sensitive. Without both authorizations, the General Directorate of Customs holds the drone on arrival, and travelers carrying one in their luggage usually lose it. Permits are granted sparingly, almost always to surveying, agriculture or audiovisual production companies with specific contracts.

Controls tightened after the April 2018 protests, during which aerial footage of demonstrations and police action circulated widely. Since then the government has treated drones as a national security matter, in line with other restrictions on the press and citizen surveillance. Travel advisories from several countries, including the United States, warn that drones can be confiscated and that photographing military or police installations is prohibited.

Anyone with a professional reason should apply for the permit before traveling, through a local company registered with INAC, and carry the printed documentation. For tourists, the practical recommendation is not to bring the drone at all: the likelihood of it being held at the airport is high, and there is no quick procedure to get it back. The situation could change with new regulations, so it is worth checking updated official information before each trip.