Managua is a modern Latin American city with lively nightlife, inexpensive markets and a rich cultural scene, surrounded by beautiful volcanoes, crater lagoons and nearby tropical jungles. Managua is the commercial center of Nicaragua and home to the best shopping areas, restaurants and hotels in Nicaragua. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1972, Managua has been rebuilt into a modern decentralized city, and you can find business districts and shopping malls in all parts of Managua.
The capital city of Nicaragua, Managua is located on the shore of Lake Managua in the central part of Nicaragua. The city is the main transport hub in Nicaragua and receives some tourism, although it is not one of the main tourism destinations in Nicaragua. The culture in Managua has been influenced by Spanish colonialism as well as the recent Sandinista Revolution, and the city is home to cultural venues such as theaters and museums. Managua has been the capital of Nicaragua since 1855. The devastating earthquake in 1972 claimed more than ten thousand lives and destroyed the whole city center of Managua. You can still find many marks for this natural disaster in the present-day Managua.
Lagoons & golf courses. There are two golf courses in Managua. Tiscapa Lagoon, a fresh water lagoon situated in a volcanic crater in the south of the city hosts a small historic park with military memorials and great views over Managua. There is also a canopy tour through the forested hillside. Besides Tiscapa Lagoon, Managua also contains three other volcanic lagoons. The big Lake Managua itself is polluted and surrounded by poor neighborhoods.
Entertainment and shopping in Managua are inexpensive and the city has plenty of outdoor markets and modern shopping centers to enjoy. Mercado Huembes and Mercado Oriental are the main markets in Managua where you can find anything from souvenirs to food and clothing. The several festivals in Managua, particularly Festival de Santo Domingo in early August, are great opportunities for those looking for to party in Nicaragua.
Several volcanoes and protected areas around the city provide for great trekking around Managua with spectacular views and nice birdwatching opportunities. The popular active craters in Volcán Masaya National Park between Managua and Masaya are easily accessible and offer impressive views with a few often smoking and steaming craters. Managua is also close to the Pacific Ocean, and the nearest beaches can be found less than an hour and a half away from Managua. The historic colonial towns of Granada and León are also close to Managua.
The capital city of Nicaragua, Managua is located on the shore of Lake Managua in the central part of Nicaragua. The city is the main transport hub in Nicaragua and receives some tourism, although it is not one of the main tourism destinations in Nicaragua. The culture in Managua has been influenced by Spanish colonialism as well as the recent Sandinista Revolution, and the city is home to cultural venues such as theaters and museums. Managua has been the capital of Nicaragua since 1855. The devastating earthquake in 1972 claimed more than ten thousand lives and destroyed the whole city center of Managua. You can still find many marks for this natural disaster in the present-day Managua.
Sights and activities in Managua: museums, cultural events, shopping and nightlife
While it is the commercial and political center of Nicaragua, Managua does not have many touristic attractions. However, the inexpensive shopping and nightlife in the city are good and there are a few beautiful destinations close to Managua. Excellent hotels and restaurants are also available in Managua. Most of the sights in Managua are situated in the partly ruined old city center. The city is home to the National Theater and the National Museum of Nicaragua, and the ruined old cathedral that has not been repaired as a remembrance of the earthquake in 1972. The old Palacio Nacional hosts the main museum in Managua as well as the national library, featuring historic artifacts, art and cultural exhibits. The beautiful fountain of Rotonda Ruben Darío is also a popular sight in Managua.Lagoons & golf courses. There are two golf courses in Managua. Tiscapa Lagoon, a fresh water lagoon situated in a volcanic crater in the south of the city hosts a small historic park with military memorials and great views over Managua. There is also a canopy tour through the forested hillside. Besides Tiscapa Lagoon, Managua also contains three other volcanic lagoons. The big Lake Managua itself is polluted and surrounded by poor neighborhoods.
Entertainment and shopping in Managua are inexpensive and the city has plenty of outdoor markets and modern shopping centers to enjoy. Mercado Huembes and Mercado Oriental are the main markets in Managua where you can find anything from souvenirs to food and clothing. The several festivals in Managua, particularly Festival de Santo Domingo in early August, are great opportunities for those looking for to party in Nicaragua.
Several volcanoes and protected areas around the city provide for great trekking around Managua with spectacular views and nice birdwatching opportunities. The popular active craters in Volcán Masaya National Park between Managua and Masaya are easily accessible and offer impressive views with a few often smoking and steaming craters. Managua is also close to the Pacific Ocean, and the nearest beaches can be found less than an hour and a half away from Managua. The historic colonial towns of Granada and León are also close to Managua.
Managua travel information and practical tips
As Managua is situated in a lowland area, the city has a hot tropical climate with very little variation in temperatures throughout the year.
Photo: LaNicoya, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There is a dry season from November to April that is generally the best time to visit Managua, and a rainy season from May to November. The temperatures in Managua are a bit cooler in December and January. June and October are the wettest months in Managua.
Traveling to Managua can be done by air or by road. The city has an international airport with flights to Managua from the USA and many Latin American countries. A fee for entry into Nicaragua is collected at arrival. Daily intercity buses to Managua can be found in all major Central American cities. There are several international bus companies that offer buses to Managua. Some domestic flights and plenty of buses to Managua from other parts of Nicaragua can also be found.
Local public transport in Managua is handled by buses and taxis. Local buses are frequent but often crowded, and there can be pickpockets on them. Taxis are plentiful in Managua, but they do not have meters, so fares should be agreed on before you get in. There are also comfortable minibuses going to destinations near Managua. Car rental in Managua is available in downtown as well as in the international airport, although the traffic in the city is often congested and lack of street names in Managua can make navigating in the city hard. Cars can also be rented with local drivers.
Visitor services. There are many hotels in Managua. However, many of them are located in suburbs that are not close to the city’s main attractions. Business hotels as well as cheap hostels and guesthouses can be found in Managua. A new hotel area has been set up near Laguna de Tiscapa, and the nearby Altamira district hosts many of the better restaurants in Managua, offering a good range of local and international cuisine. Nightlife in Managua is vibrant and inexpensive, although there is no one favorite nightlife zone as in many other Central American cities.
Safety. Managua is not an unsafe city, but violent crime and petty street crime are not rare here. Pickpocketing is common in crowded local buses and open markets of Managua, and gang violence has been on the rise. The largest market in Managua, Mercado Oriental should only be visited with a local guide. Some neighborhoods outside downtown Managua are not safe for tourists, so do not walk around unaccompanied. Always use a taxi after dark. English is not widely spoken in Managua, and some knowledge of Spanish is recommended for traveling around independently.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Granada, Leon
