A Typical Week in Nicaragua
Teams are usually scheduled with a Saturday-to-Saturday or Friday-to-Friday flight schedule.
Flights from the US into Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua arrive from lunch through early evening. Teams are met by El Ayudante staff with transportation after they have claimed their luggage and cleared customs. Luggage is loaded, and the team departs for León, a two-hour drive away.
The following schedule is based on a Saturday-to-Saturday flight schedule. Sunday includes attending or serving at a local church, possibly ministering to the children at El Ayudante’s HCN (Nicaraguan Christian Home), and preparing for the week’s ministry. Monday through Thursday, team ministry is determined by the team considering their gifts and the needs of the local community (options include, but are not limited to, Vacation Bible School, construction, and medical). The team provides supplies and funding for the week’s ministry. The ministry will take place between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Nights are reserved for reflection and devotion, both individually and as a team. Friday, teams can have an additional day of ministry, or after breakfast, teams leave León to tour Nicaragua. Potential tour sites include Hiking Cerro Negro a small, but active Volcano near Leon. Masaya Volcano National Park, and the Managua zip-line over the lagoon of an inactive volcano. Shopping for local crafts at Masaya or a boat tour of Granada, where you will likely see some monkeys, are other alternatives.
Hotel options for Friday (the last) night in Managua (if you do a tour day) include the Camino Real, which is five minutes from the airport and offers a continental breakfast and transportation to the airport, or the Best Western, which is across the street from the airport.
El Ayudante’s team member fees for the week include lodging on our campus (not the hotel in Managua), food while you stay on our campus, one dinner at the beach, transportation, and translators. All ministry fees will be in addition to the team member fees. Refer to the fees list for the most up-to-date pricing information.
THE WEEK AT A GLANCE
SAMPLE BUDGET FOR EACH TEAM MEMBER
Team members are responsible for snacks and meals while traveling to and from León.
FEES PAID BEFORE TRIP
Airline ticket & Travel insurance…………………………………………………………….. Prices vary
El Ayudante t-shirt (optional)…………………………………………………………………See the fees list
El Ayudante’s team member fee……………………………………………………………. See the fees list
MONEY NEEDED WHILE IN NICARAGUA
Approximately $100 will be sufficient for each team member to carry to Nicaragua for spending money.
U.S. dollars are commonly accepted, but bills need to be clean with no marks or tears.
