With a series of massive, disorganized barrios in place of tall buildings, the city feels more like an overgrown suburb than the capital of Central America’s largest country. Downtown Managua was leveled by an earthquake in 1972; what remained was then left to the mercy of the revolution. Today, empty dirt lots surround shopping centers and bustling markets border gutted buildings. Nonetheless, Managua remains the entertainment, commercial, and transportation hub of Nicaragua. Although it may be less safe than other parts of Nicaragua and its cultural life is suffering—many museums and galleries have closed due to inadequate funds—Managua does have bright spots: the famous Teatro Rubén Darío and the impressive Palacio Nacional.
Managua International Airport (Augusto Sandino International Airport), 12km east of the city. Accessible by bus. All buses headed to Roberto Huembes pass by the airport, just ask the driver to drop ...more
Arriving by air, you’ll land at the Managua International Airport, also known as the César Augusto Sandino International Airport, 12km east of the city on the Carretera Norte. Taxis from the airport ...more
Transportation in Managua is unreliable and often unsafe. Your best bet is to grab a cab, especially at night. Should you need to take a bus within the city, don’t take anything valuable with you; ...more
Tourist Offices: Ministerio de Turismo INTUR (☎ 2254 5191; www.intur.gob.ni), 2 blocks south and 1 block west of Plaza Inter. English spoken. Sells a variety of maps and guides. Open M-F 8:30am-12 ...more
Managua is a big city, so we’ve narrowed our search for the best accommodations to the central neighborhood of Martha Quezada. It’s a quiet, residential neighborhood full of family-run restaurants ...more
Nicaraguan cuisine is made out of basic ingredients—beans, rice, and corn tortillas. The fritangas (food joints) often offer the same dishes as the traditional Nicaraguan restaurants. There’s certainly ...more
The sights in Managua surround the Plaza de la Democracia (formerly Plaza de la Revolución), on the northern end of Av. Bolívar, near the lake. From Martha Quezada to the plaza, walk 12 blocks north ...more
Bar & Restaurante Irlandés (☎ 2222 6683), 1 block east and 1 south from Ticabus. A reincarnation of the once popular Shannon Bar. Fried mozzarella sticks C80. Guinness C85. Grolsch C40 ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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