Nicaragua

Fake Tours

Unfortunately, this happens fairly often in Granada so be careful. Only take tours from trusted companies yadda yadda yadda, you’ve heard this all before. Book through your hostel! That’s the most sage advice I can ever give you. As long as your hostel isn’t scammy itself.

Picture Scam

A common scam is a local coming up to you and asking you to take their photo. If you agree, they give you their camera. Once the photoshoot is done, they then drop the camera as you are returning it and demand that you pay for the damages. If you’re not 100% certain they aren’t locals, refuse to take their picture.

Taxis overcharging

What a surprise, a taxi scam!

No Ubers, means you have to take taxis if you want to get anywhere. Whenever you get into a taxi in Granada, ask them to turn on a meter. You should also map your route before you enter the taxi. This will give you an idea of how long it should take. You can then ask the taxi driver to estimate how long it will take, and cross-reference that information with Google Maps or Waze on your smartphone.

Friendly ATM Helper

To help you avoid paying local bank fees, someone approaches you at the ATM cash machine in Granada. They are trying to steal your card and debit card using the card skimmer they have in their pockets. Another variation of this scam is when your ATM card stops working and they approach you to help you. When entering your pin code, make sure you cover the number pad with one hand. It’s better to decline assistance at ATM machines. 

New Friends at the Bar

Two friends will start to talk and make you believe there is mutual interest. The girls will suggest that you go out for a drink, and invite you to join them at a nearby bar (which they are partners in). After a couple of drinks, you’ll end up paying between 5-10 times more. The bar guards will ask you to chip in a small amount, but if you refuse to pay up, they will take you to an ATM to withdraw the cash needed to pay the bill. There are a few things that you can do to avoid being swindled by this tourist scam in Granada. You can first suggest the bar. Second, ask for the bar menu when you arrive to see the prices.

Bird Poop Scam

Granada’s streets are littered with white paste. You immediately assume it is bird poop and look up to see if someone has thrown some on your shoulder. A “friendly” local offered to clean it up and then he scolded the birds for making such a mess. They not only clean up, but they also take your money. 

Scam to Guess a Game

As you walk through the city, you will see a man carrying three boxes. He has a group of people trying to guess which box the ball is in. The man gives prize money to the person who guesses correctly. The same thing happens again with another member. This commotion draws more people to see the generous street performer. An innocent bystander is then asked to guess the location of the ball. The group members quickly grab the valuables they need, while concentrating on the location of the ball.