THE ESSENTIALS
Entrance and Exit requirements for Nicaragua
PASSPORT: must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay in Nicaragua.
Return Ticket: Proof of return or onward travel.
Tourist card fee: $ 5 cash (must be paid in U.S. dollars).
Airport Departure fee: $32 cash (must be paid in U.S. dollars).
Other Identification
Driver's License and a copy of your birth certificate. We strongly suggest that you make photocopies of all important documents you plan to bring with you, including your airline tickets, and store them separately in case of emergency.
Medication
If you are currently taking any special medication, or not so special medication for that matter, make sure your prescription is filled and up to date. It might also be a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription just in case. Please let us know in advance about any conditions you may suffer from.
Up to date Immunization and Vaccination Records
Many travel guides, and Giant's Foot Surf, strongly suggests getting a Tetanus, and Hepatitis A vaccination if yours are not current before traveling. Anti-malarial's are recommended by the CDC but no one has taken them and no one has gotten malaria...so far.
(You can check the CDC yellow book guide to traveling in Central America by going to www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm.)
SUN PROTECTION
SUNSCREEN: High SPF, waterproof, and lots of it.
HAT: Good wide brimmed hat
SUNGLASSES: UV protection, polarized helps
CLOTHING: 2 pair Lightweight long sleeves and pants (also good for mosquito protection at night).
FOOT PROTECTION
FLIP FLOPS: Good sturdy flip flops for around camp
SNEAKERS: Good pair of walking shoes like a trail running shoe or Chacos.
BOOTIES: Never hurts to have them.
BUG PROTECTION
NIGHT TIME CLOTHES: Light weight long sleeve shirt, pair of long pants, long socks.
BUG DOPE: DEET still works the best but the natural stuff works too. Something that you can pile on.
CLOTHING and OTHER STUFF
Lightweight is the key word to think about when packing.
light rain gear
tee-shirts
tank tops
shorts
board shorts
swim suit
pajamas
socks
underwear
sandals
good walking shoes (i.e. sneakers)
sarong
brimmed hat
SUNDRIES
towels (beach and bath)
sun block, sun block, sun block!!!!
lip balm with spf
insect repellent
toothbrush/toothpaste
shampoo/conditioner
talcum powder
razor
aspirin/ibuprofenHARD TO FIND ITEMS
contact solution
tampons
Medication
Note: Giant's Foot Surf camp is a beachfront location situated between the ocean and an estuary. We try not to contribute to the pollution of this fragile near coastal environment, and so, if at all possible, we suggest bringing biodegradable soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and other products. We especially recommend Dr. Brauner's products. These multi-purpose soaps have proven invaluable and affordable to generations of savvy travelers and the military.
EXTRAS*
camera and plenty of film
batteries
flashlight
journal
a good book
pocket knife
your favorite surf video
*While we have a hotel safe and will be happy to store any of your valuables, we recommend that you do not bring any irreplaceable items such as your best jewelry and/or family heirlooms.
CHARITY
FOR THE COMMUNITY: Many people ask if there is something they can bring down to donate to or help out the local community. If you are interested...
Children's Vitamins: The children in Gigante live on a diet of rice, beans, plantains, and processed milk. Vitamin deficiencies are common, any type of children's vitamins improves their health.
School supplies: The most useful and forever necessary things to bring. The local schools do the best with what is available, but are understaffed and under supplied—pencils, notebooks, small inexpensive solar calculators, markers, and watercolor sets are some examples of items that are always welcomed with great thanks by the teachers. Stay away from expensive items and things that require batteries.
Clothing: Any warm weather clothing you can get rid of. Everyone in Gigante has a need and use for clothes. Women's and children's clothes are especially appreciated. Old flipflops and lightweight sneakers are also very helpfull. Most people only have 1 pair of cheap sandles, 2-3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants, families share all their cloths.
Sports equipment and toys: Baseballs, mitts, soccer balls, any sporting goods, equipment, non-battery operated toys, and small hand held bicycle pumps can make a whole family happy.
FOR THE CAMP STAFF: Many people ask if there is anything they can bring down that we really miss, or need.
Ding repair kits and wax: We can always use more of this stuff. We go through mountains of it.
Current Media: New Books, Magazines (especially gentlemen's magazines...surf paradise can be a lonely place), Newspapers, Music, Movies, anything even remotely current, or not. Anything from Vanity Fair, to the new yorker, to FHM, to the economist...anything. Actually if you just collected all the old newspapers and magazines from around your house and brought them down with you we would be stoked.
Treats: Chocolate, Irish whisky, stink bombs, funny hats, Irish whisky, stickers, cool clothes, and good jokes.