As I considered on 30 December 2024, I passed through the security of the airport in Nicaragua, my heart sank – the Lovpro camera bag was flagged off and was being taken aside for a check. The handler found what he was watching: My DJI Mavik Pro drone.
They removed it from the bag and pointed to the rear signal of the wall, clearly stated that drones in Nicaragua were prohibited. The drone was removed and I was given a ticket, which I could clearly use to recover the drone when I was leaving the country.
This was a shock because my original plan was to travel overland through Nicaragua and enter Costa Rica on its northern border. However, it was better to say that the drone was permanently confiscated!
All this was below for the lack of complete plan from me, and I am writing that expecting other photographers Nicaragua, or similar rules do not make the same mistake while entering another country. While living at the airport, I saw the same issue to other passengers.
I would advise that when planning a trip, you always do research in current rules for drones. Some easy websites you can bookmark and use Drone safety map And Country drone law,
And it is also worth checking people with rededit and tripadvisor that people find people with recent experiences of bringing drones into destinations, as rules can change.
Here is a long list of (surprisingly) of countries that prevent drones from restricting or restricting:
- Algeria: Complete UAV restrictions; Drone seized on entry.
- Antarctica: The use of drones is completely prohibited – preserved for wildlife conservation.
- Barbados: Once restricted, now a temporary import license is required, which is already applicable for six weeks.
- Bhutan: Strict prohibition; Drone seized at customs.
- Brunei: The drone is banned; Customs will seize them.
- Cuba: It is prohibited to import drone; They will be confiscated and possibly returned to exit with only one fine.
- Egypt: Flying requires close-to-unlike permission from civil aviation-often seized.
- Ethiopia: No clear law exists, but without pre -withdrawal from aviation authorities, it is risky to bring drones.
- India: Foreigners face seizure until a complex approval process is seized until navigating the process and joining telecom/aviation officials.
- Iran: Unauthorized drones have been banned; Seized at customs; Some areas like Majandran have region-specific restrictions.
- Iraq: Drone imports and uses restricted, usually seized.
- Ivory Coast (Kota de Evoire): Drone restricted; There is a possibility of seizure on arrival.
- Kenya: Effective restrictions remain effective for most visitors due to the required permissions from defense and aviation officers.
- Kuwait: The drone is banned; The entry often leads to confiscation.
- Kyrgyzstan: Prohibited; The drone was confiscated when detected.
- Madagascar: Use of outdoor drones and strictly prohibited imports without a special commercial permit.
- Morocco: The drone has been banned outright. Import and private use usually results in immediate confiscation.
- Nicaragua: Zero tolerance policy- drone seized on entry.
- North Korea: No published guidelines, but strict control and an extreme security environment makes a drone almost impossible.
- Saudi Arabia: Previously restricted, now only through GACA was allowed through a tightly controlled permit system. It is still risky for tourists.
- Senegal: The drones are illegal; There is a possibility of seizure.
- Syria: Drone imports/uses banned.
- Tunisia: Any clear rules – but passengers report seizing drones on arrival.
- Uzbekistan: Prohibited; Legal punishment may result in results.
I was not on assignments in Central America, but was using free time for the shooting of personal work in January and was first detecting both countries, as well as the purpose of selling work for editorial or stock later.
I planned to use drones for Masaya volcanic photos in Nicaragua; This was the main picture that I came to the country to catch, so obviously, a great disappointment for this shock on arrival. This is one of the few places in the world where you can see a living volcano with lava.
I used a Nikon Z8 camera with an old F-mount Nikon 19 mm PC lens, and I shot 3 images and then sewed them together to get this broad scene showing them to the pit and horizon. I gave my journey time to match with twilight, when I knew that the best lava color would come out, but wanted to keep some ambient light.
About the author: Ben pipe is a trip, landscape and portrait photographer. You can find more work Their website And Instagram,
