Teach English in Nicaragua

With ample teaching jobs, a low cost of living and a fantastic, varied landscape, Nicaragua is a fascinating, underrated TEFL destination.

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If you’re a TEFL teacher looking for a diverse natural landscape, plenty of opportunities to teach English, and sprawling, vibrant cities, then Nicaragua could be your next home. If you opt to work in a city like Managua, Leòn or Granada, you’ll find ample TEFL jobs, and if you venture outside of the metropolises, then volcanoes and beaches await.

With a decent level of English proficiency, significant demand for lessons and its natural splendour, you might think Nicaragua would be a TEFL hotspot for intrepid, adventurous teachers. Yet, along with much of Central America as a whole, Nicaragua remains extremely underrated as a teaching location.

Perhaps this page will change that! Here are all the things you need to know about teaching English in Nicaragua, from the demand for TEFL teachers to salaries, and cost of living to the kinds of jobs you can land.

Nicaragua: An overview

Though Spanish is the main language, there’s both a solid level of English proficiency in Nicaragua and demand for English teachers, both in the country and Latin America at large. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s more common that TEFL teachers choose to teach English in Costa Rica, or teach English in El Salvador, leaving Nicaragua as a massively underrated TEFL destination to teach English abroad.

Given the history, the culture and the natural beauty of Nicaragua, it’s something of a surprise that it isn’t more heralded as a TEFL destination. With a population of around 6.8 million - 1.7 million more people than the more popular Costa Rica - there are a decent number of English speakers in Nicaragua. In fact, on the Caribbean coast, you’re as likely to - if not more likely to - hear indigenous languages and Creole English as you are Spanish. Perfect, then, for an ESL teacher who wants to teach in Central America, and maybe even perfect their Spanish.

The majority of TEFL jobs in Nicaragua are, naturally, in the cities. In terms of work visas, your best option is working on a tourist visa and having it renewed every 90 days. To do this, you’ll need to nip over to Costa Rica, and then return to Nicaragua.

Requirements for teaching English in Nicaragua

Are you looking to teach English abroad without a degree? In Nicaragua, you can do just that. Of course, having a degree is extremely useful if you want to teach anywhere in the world, and having a master’s can unlock some of the top university jobs, but for an entry-level position, you’ll likely not need to have a degree.

A TEFL certificate, however, is a must for the vast majority of ESL jobs. 120 hours is the industry standard for TEFL certification. The TEFL certification you opt for should be from a recognised and accredited TEFL course provider.

Additionally, if you want to teach English abroad without experience, we’d also suggest that Nicaragua is an ideal place to get started. For many entry-level jobs, you don’t need teaching experience, provided you have completed a TEFL course from a reliable, accredited provider. Experience may be strongly preferred for roles with universities, international schools or private schools in Nicaragua, but many great teaching jobs won't require previous teaching experience.

Nicaragua is also a great option if you’re looking to teach English abroad as a non-native speaker. Though some employers might outright prefer candidates from English-speaking nations including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, it’s not always a prerequisite for teaching English in Nicaragua. If you’re able to provide an IELTS or TOEFL certificate to prove fluency or a qualification from an English-speaking institution, it’ll certainly help.

Salary, benefits and cost of living

Salary

Generally speaking, for entry-level ESL teaching jobs in Nicaragua, English teachers can expect to make between C$18,450-C$29,516 per month, which is equivalent to $500-$800/£400-£640. While it’s certainly not the most you can earn from teaching abroad, there is the benefit of a progressive tax system.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Nicaragua	18,450-29,516 NIO £395-£633 GBP $500-$800 USD				Not usually		None

Benefits

There is a high demand for talented teachers to teach English, so contracts typically include benefits. These additional benefits sometimes include a stipend for accommodation and, for some jobs, airfare. Paid holidays and health insurance are also typically included in permanent teaching contracts.

Cost of living

Nicaragua has a low cost of living compared to the likes of the USA, Canada, and the UK, which is typical for Central America. For example, monthly rent for a city centre, one-bedroom apartment in Managua - the capital city of Nicaragua - is around $325/£261, while living outside of the main hub of the capital will reduce that rent to $250/£200. A typical meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant comes to just under $30/£24, while basic utilities typically cost just under $100/£80 per month. So, while the salaries for teaching jobs look comparatively low, TEFL professionals can comfortably live on teaching wages in Nicaragua, and maybe even save money.

Restaurants	USD	GBP	EUR
Inexpensive restaurant meal
Domestic beer (0.5 litre)
Regular cappuccino
Water (0.33 litre)
Markets	USD	GBP	EUR
Regular milk (1 litre)
Loaf of white bread
Regular eggs (1 dozen)
Apples (1 kg)
Transportation	USD	GBP	EUR
One-way ticket (local transport)
Monthly pass (regular price)
Taxi start (normal tariff)
Gasoline (1 litre)
Utilities	USD	GBP	EUR
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment)
Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)
Clothing and shoes	USD	GBP	EUR
Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar)
Summer dress in a chain store
Nike running shoes (mid-range)
Men's leather business shoes

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

English teaching jobs in Nicaragua

With an increased focus on tourism, and the existing interest in English in the region, demand for English teachers in Nicaragua is steady, and any professionals with the requisite qualifications shouldn’t struggle to find meaningful employment.

Bilingual schools and language schools are a safe bet for TEFL teachers, and these can be found mainly in the biggest metropolitan areas within Nicaragua, namely Managua, Matagalpa, León and Masaya.

Additionally, given the favourable exchange rate between US dollars and Nicaraguan Cordoba, it could also be prudent to find online tutoring work through an American company. This is a common route taken by teachers in Nicaragua, especially given the comparatively low wages but low cost of living. Check out our full guide to teaching English online for more information.

Hiring is year-round, though you're unlikely to get a response in December, when most schools are shut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much do English teachers make in Nicaragua?

For entry-level teaching positions in Nicaragua, English teachers can expect to make between C$18,450-C$29,516 per month, equivalent to $500-$800/£400-£640.

Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

While typically, China and South Asia more broadly have had the highest demand in the world for TEFL talent, there is rapidly growing demand in Central America and South America, specifically in countries like Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia and Mexico. Demand for TEFL teachers, of course, varies by country, and teaching jobs are plentiful across the globe if you have a TEFL certificate.

Q. Are English teachers in demand in Nicaragua?

Across Central America, there is immense demand for English teachers, and this includes countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. With booming tourism industries and a globalised economy, English proficiency has become highly sought after. If you're looking to teach English in Costa Rica, Nicaragua or any other country in Central America, you'll find eager students, a low cost of living and ample teaching jobs that don't require a degree or experience.