Moving to Laos from Nicaragua

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Nicaragua to Laos? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Nicaragua to Laos, and you’d need to navigate life in Lao.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Laos

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Laos compared to Nicaragua.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NI
13.6
LA
16.4

Nicaragua performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

NI
$689
LA
$123
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

NI
6.8
LA
3.3

Nicaragua generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Laos leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

NI
38.0
LA
69.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NI
0.8t
LA
3.4t

Nicaragua performs better than Laos across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

NI
5.8
LA
2.7
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NI
2.2%
LA
4.8%

Nicaragua generally does better on infrastructure, though Laos leads in electricity per capita.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

NI
5.0%
LA
1.2%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

NI
$3,173
LA
$2,325

Laos generally does better on employment & economy, though Nicaragua leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

NI
75.1 yrs
LA
69.2 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NI
9.4
LA
27.2

Nicaragua performs better than Laos across all family life metrics.

Sources: World Bank (2016–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), General Directorate of Revenues (2016), Ministry of Finance (2016), The World Factbook (2015). How we calculate this

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Managua Rain: 78.3 in/yr (1989 mm)
None° / None°F

Avg. annual high / low

Vientiane Rain: 65.4 in/yr (1660 mm)
88° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Managua Vientiane
Jan–Mar — 87°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun — 91°/76°F (33°/24°C)
Jul–Sep — 88°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Oct–Dec — 85°/67°F (30°/20°C)
View all months
Month Managua Vientiane
Jan — 83°/62°F (28.4°/16.4°C)
Feb — 87°/65°F (30.3°/18.5°C)
Mar — 91°/71°F (33.0°/21.5°C)
Apr — 94°/75°F (34.3°/23.8°C)
May — 91°/76°F (33.0°/24.6°C)
Jun — 89°/77°F (31.9°/24.9°C)
Jul — 88°/76°F (31.3°/24.7°C)
Aug — 87°/76°F (30.8°/24.6°C)
Sep — 88°/75°F (30.9°/24.1°C)
Oct — 87°/73°F (30.8°/22.9°C)
Nov — 86°/67°F (29.8°/19.3°C)
Dec — 83°/62°F (28.1°/16.7°C)

Data: Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Nicaragua and Laos. To live, work, or study long-term in Laos, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Laos's immigration authority.

Nicaragua passport

Nicaragua passport holder visiting Laos

Visa on Arrival
Nicaragua passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Laos.
Laos passport

Laos passport holder visiting Nicaragua

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Laos passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Nicaragua.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Laos?

Connectivity is usually fine (Laos: 2.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Laos offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Laos safe for expats?

Nicaragua performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Laos compared to Nicaragua?

Nicaragua generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Laos leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 3.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Laos, compared to 6.8 in Nicaragua. Laos scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Nicaragua: 70).

What's the weather like in Laos compared to Nicaragua?

The average high temperature in Vientiane is 88°F, compared to None°F in Managua. Vientiane receives around 65.4 in of rainfall per year, while Managua gets 78.3 in.

What language do they speak in Laos?

The official language in Laos is Lao. In Nicaragua, the official language is Spanish.

Share this

At a Glance

NI LA
Population 7,007,502 7,873,046
Currency Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO) Laotian Kip (LAK)
Languages Spanish Lao
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +505 +856
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 118 191