The announcement of the end of visa-free travel for citizens of Cuba traveling to Nicaragua raised alarms among those who had already purchased air tickets for their Havana - Managua flights.
This is one of the main routes used by Cubans in recent years, which is why hundreds of people have directly approached the Embassy of Nicaragua in Havana to demand information and to expedite immigration processes, given the imminent end of flights due to the fuel crisis in the country.
Tickets to Nicaragua already purchased: What happens now
Airlines are not responsible for changes in the immigration policies of countries. Passengers must have the required documentation at the time of travel. If you do not obtain the visa to Nicaragua in time, you will lose the ticket money.
In this route operates the Conviasa Airline, with a connection from Caracas to Havana to Managua. The company offers linear and economical fares that generally do not include travel insurance. This means that many passengers are not covered in the event of unexpected situations, such as those arising from immigration changes.
In addition, in the event of cancellation, the traveler only retains their ticket if the airline decides to reschedule the flight. So far, Conviasa has reported specific adjustments, but has not clarified what will happen to bookings outside the announced schedule.
The risk of losing thousands of dollars
Concern is growing due to the high cost of tickets for traveling from Cuba to Nicaragua. By the end of 2024, tickets between Managua and Havana reached prices of up to 7,000 dollars.
Currently, the price is around 1,200 dollars, an equally high sum for Cuban families, which is why many people sell all their belongings to buy a ticket to freedom.
The loss of money is real and inevitable. The closest precedent occurred on March 8, 2022, when Panama imposed a mandatory transit visa for Cubans. On that occasion, thousands of travelers were unable to fly and lost significant amounts of money because airlines were not required to refund the tickets.
The reasons behind the suspension and the changes
The Ministry of the Interior of Nicaragua confirmed that Cubans with ordinary passports will again require a consulted visa to enter the country. The process will be free of charge and must be requested via email at solicitudes@mint.gob.ni, although the approval times for the visas and the requirements that travelers must meet to initiate the process have not been specified.
Meanwhile, Conviasa announced the temporary suspension of its Caracas–Havana–Managua route due to “external reasons,” related to new immigration requirements and a notice regarding the lack of Jet A-1 fuel at international airports in Cuba from February 10 to March 11.
The airline announced the rescheduling of flights between February 11 and February 19, 2026, but did not specify what will happen with trips scheduled after that date.
The migration context
The visa-free regime was approved in 2021 with the argument of promoting tourism and strengthening ties between Cuba and Nicaragua, but it led to a notable increase in irregular migration from the island, using Managua as a departure point toward Central America and the United States.
The restoration of the visa comes amid increasing international pressure on the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, and in a regional context characterized by the tightening of immigration policies from the United States.
For travelers who have already purchased their ticket, the recommendation is clear: You should confirm with the airline the status of the Havana - Managua flight, manage your visa to Nicaragua as soon as possible, and do not go to the airport without official visa approval.
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