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Managua

ViaNica.com > Destinations > Managua

Nicaragua's most lively area, with an energetic capital city and a variety of attractions in the vicinity.

Population: approx. 1,380,000 people
Location: central Pacific side of Nicaragua
Attractions: culture, history, nightlife, beaches, natural reserves, lagoons

Introduction

The Acahualinca footprints, dating back 6,000 years, are the oldest proof of human activity at the Managua area. The city was never of great importance, until Managua became Nicaragua's capital in 1855 to end a struggle between León and Granada. The city has known wealth and luxury, as well as disasters that almost completely ruined the city. The most significant event was the 1972 earthquake. Virtually every high building collapsed, and tens of thousands were left homeless. The earthquake took more than ten thousand lives.

The city lost its center after the earthquake. Instead of rebuilding the old buildings, new buildings were built in the former outskirts of the city. Nowadays, the effects of the earthquake still characterize the image of Managua. There is no central park or some region where all the activity takes place. Instead, business centers, shopping malls, and big company headquarters are almost randomly scattered throughout the city.

Although more than a million people live in Managua, the city does not have the image of a large metropolis. There are not many high buildings due to the experience with the 1972 earthquake. In Managua, many palms, bushes, and other plants and trees dominate much of the city’s image. Especially during the raining season Managua is a very green city. Nicaragua’s capital, however, is often described as being dangerous and a place to avoid. Although visitors should take certain precautions, Managua is not a city to be avoided because of safety concerns. Interestingly, Managua is one of the safest capital cities in the region. Visit our Practical Information section to read more about Health and Safety.

Xolotlán, or Lake Managua, is a large lake that could have made Managua one of Latin America’s most attractive capital cities.. Unfortunately, Lake Managua has been contaminated as a result of dumping chemicals and waste in the lake. Swimming is not possible, and the neighborhoods located at the shores are among the poorest of the city. There are plans to clean up the lake, but so far no action has been taken.

Attractions in Managua

Managua is a capital that is undergoing many changes. The city has changed dramatically in ten, fifteen years. Whereas the city was clearly a third world capital not long ago, some parts of Managua can nowadays hardly be distinguished from western cities. Luxurious shopping malls, fancy banks, dominant billboard campaigns, and high class hotels and restaurants are all available to the select few that are able to afford this luxury.

When it comes to nightlife, Managua offers many bars, discotheques, theaters, and cinemas. Compared to western prices, alcoholic beverages, theater visits, and cinema tickets are fairly cheap. Although Nicaraguan cinemas and discotheques are smaller than their western counterparts, quality levels are similar to those in Europe or the U.S.

The Rubén Darío National Theater is one of the few buildings that survived the 1972 earthquake. It is Nicaragua’s most important theater, and national and international artists have given splendid shows, concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural performances. The theater continues to present shows, presentations, and other events that are worth a visit, so be sure to check out the Events Calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

The office of the Nicaraguan president (Casa Presidencial) can also be found close to the theater, and there are several other culturally interesting locations nearby. This same area was Managua’s historical center, before the 1972 earthquake flattened most buildings. Several monuments can be found here, and it has also been an important place during the revolution. The historical center of Managua can be an interesting visit, and the National Museum – located in front of the presidential office – is another worthy stop.

To find out what the markets are like in Nicaragua, visit Mercado Huembes. This is a quite large but friendly market, where many Nicaraguans buy their food, clothes, and other necessities. Souvenirs are also sold at the Huembes market. Another option is Mercado Oriental. This is the biggest market in Nicaragua, employing more than ten thousand people. You can get anything at Oriental, but this is not a very tourist-friendly market. It can get very crowded and disorganized. Leave big cash, watches, and other valuable objects at home. If you are careful and attentive, shopping at Mercado Oriental can be fun and for sure a unique experience!

The national stadium has hosted Nicaragua’s most important baseball games, and during the baseball season about five matches take place every week. Tourists can enjoy Nicaraguan enthusiasm for the country’s most favorite sport, and there is also an interesting hall of fame at the stadium.

Lagoons in a capital city

Another interesting aspect of Managua is the presence of no less than four lagoons within the city limits. The most central and most well-known lagoon is Laguna Tiscapa, or the Tiscapa Lagoon. The lagoon is of volcanic origin and has been formed around 10,000 years ago. Tiscapa is also an historical site: before the revolution, the presidential palace was located at a hilltop overlooking the lagoon. The small historical park that has been set up includes interesting objects like a tank given by Benito Mussolini to Anastasio Somoza, in addition to some superb views of the city. Furthermore, adventurers can enjoy gliding down the ziplines of the canopy tour that leads from the hilltop to the bottom of the lagoon. Read more about the Tiscapa Canopy Tour in our Activity Guide.

The Asososca Lagoon is the most important source for Managua’s drinking water. The Lagoon is located at the beginning of the southern highway (Carretera Sur), close to the connection with the new highway to León. The lagoon can hardly be seen from the road, but there is a small park (called Las Piedrecitas) that can be entered, overlooking the lagoon. The view of Asososca is spectacular, but access to the actual lagoon is restricted because of its importance as source for potable water.

The Nejapa Lagoon is located south of the Asososca Lagoon, also along the southern highway. There are some great views of this lagoon from restaurants located along the highway. The Nejapa Lagoon itself is a shallow lagoon and swimming is not possible. It happened several times during the dry season that all of the water of the lagoon evaporated.

The fourth lagoon is the Acahualinca Lagoon. This small lagoon has shallow waters as well and is located close to Lake Managua, in a neighborhood with the same name. Swimming is not possible either.

The lagoons of Xiloa and Apoyeque at the Chiltepe Peninsula

A peninsula, called the Chiltepe Peninsula, penetrates Lake Managua about 20 kilometers north of the capital. There are two lagoons located inside this peninsula, both of volcanic origin, offering a variety of activities.

The most easily accessible lagoon is the Xiloa Lagoon. There are some restaurants and bars set up at the shores of this lagoon, offering a simple, rustic setting in front of the lagoon. This lagoon is great for swimming and windsurfing, and it is most frequently visited during the weekend by Nicaraguans from the nearby Ciudad Sandino, Managua, or other villages around the lagoon. Weekdays offer a tranquil setting, as only few people visit the lagoon outside the weekend. There is a small tourist center where most eateries are located. Camping is also possible here, and diving can also be done at Xiloa. Read more about visiting the Xiloa Lagoon or diving at Xiloa in our Activity Guide.

The other lagoon is called Apoyeque, and this one is much harder to access. The lagoon is located a little over a kilometer from the Xiloa Lagoon, but it can not be seen as high hills surround the Apoyeque Lagoon. There are no roads, and access is only possible by hiking. This hike, however, offers some superb views, an outstanding natural setting, and a great challenge to tourists interested in exploring this hidden treasure.

Natural Reserves

The capital department also includes several interesting natural reserves. Located close to Managua and quite easy to reach is the Montibelli Reserve. Situated at an elevated level, the reserve offers a rich flora and fauna and a cooler climate than the Pacific lowlands. Montibelli is a great visit for birders, and among the many different animal species that can be seen are also monkeys, snakes, frogs, lizards, and butterflies. There are different trails, varying in length and difficulty. There are also some great views, due to the different elevation levels. Read more about the Montibelli Natural Private Reserve in our Activity Guide.

Another natural reserve is the Chocoyero National Park, located in the Ticuantepe municipality just as the Montibelli Reserve. This national park is famous for the large group of Chocoyos, or green parakeets, that have a natural nesting site right next to a small waterfall located within the reserve. The parakeets can be easily seen during sunrise or sunset when they leave from or return to their nests. There are also two different waterfalls at Chocoyero, and the park also offers tents for camping. More information about the Chocoyero National Park can be found in our Activity Guide.

The Pacific beaches of Managua

The department of Managua also borders the Pacific Ocean, and there are some excellent beaches found less than an hour and a half from the capital. Most of the beaches are very popular during the Holy Week celebrations, and during the weekend people from the city also like to visit the tranquil beaches for some relaxation. During the weekdays, however, most of these beaches are virtually empty.

The most well-known beach in the Managua department is the beach of Pochomil. It is probably the most easily reachable, and it offers several seafood restaurants and beach hotels. The beach at Pochomil is wide and the place is great for swimming. Horseback-riding is also possible, and people interested in buying hand-made seashell souvenirs will have no problem finding some.

Other beaches that are within the same area are Masachapa and Montelimar, neighboring Pochomil. These beaches can be reached by taking the old highway to León (Carretera Vieja a León). There are signs along the road that point where to turn. Alternatively, the southern highway can be used to ascend to El Crucero and pass by San Rafael del Sur, also leading to the same beaches. Buses to Pochomil leave from the Israel Lewites market. From Pochomil, taxies or bicycle-taxies can be used to reach the neighboring beaches.

The windy heights of El Crucero

The municipality of El Crucero can be easily reached from the city of Managua, heading down the southern highway. The drive itself is spectacular: an abundance of nature combined with superb views. El Crucero is located at an elevated level, reaching an altitude of over 900 meters. As a consequence of this height, a cool, strong wind almost permanently chills the inhabitants of this region. Although it is only 30 minutes drive, the climate of El Crucero is completely different from the climate in Managua.

Forests and lush vegetation give the El Crucero region a natural image. Another consequence of its height is the presence of clouds at the higher elevations. Although the clouds are not permanently present, this does create a unique climate similar to that of a cloud forest. Such a habitat is found at only few places at the Pacific side of Nicaragua. Another unique type of ecosystem is found at the southern slopes of the municipality. Here, sulfur winds from the Masaya Volcano strongly limit the possibilities for plants and trees to grow. As a result, there is a large area where only very low vegetation like grass can grow.

There is a great viewpoint at El Crucero, providing a view of the tree-covered mountain slopes as well as the city of Managua down below. This viewpoint is called Las Nubes, and more details can be found in our Activity Guide.

Getting there and getting around

Transportation-wise, Managua is one of Nicaragua’s best positioned cities. All of Nicaragua’s main roads lead to Managua, and there are good public transportation connections to and from the capital.

There are four main highways that lead into Managua. The first one is the Pan American highway that enters the city from the northern side, connecting Managua to the northern and central departments. This highway is called the Northern Highway, or Carretera Norte. The Southern Highway, or Carretera Sur, is another part of the Pan American highway, connecting Managua to the southern departments like Carazo and Rivas. Another highway, called Carretera Masaya, connects Managua to the departments of Masaya and Granada. Finally, a new highway unites Managua with León (Carretera Nueva a León). All of these highways are in great condition (except for a small part of the Masaya Highway that is currently under construction), and there is few congestion. It is advised, however, to avoid traveling in or around Managua during the rush hours (7-8AM and 5-6PM).

There are many car rental companies in Managua, including several large international brands. Another option is to travel by bus. Managua has several bus terminals, most of them located close to a market. Buses that arrive from or depart to a certain destination can often only be found at one specific terminal. Travelers that pass through Managua on their way from one city to another might need to transport themselves from one terminal to another within Managua. More information about bus schedules, prices, and terminals can be found at our Transportation Section.

Transportation within Managua is possible in many different ways. Interestingly, there are no street names in Managua, which makes it often quite a challenge to find the correct address. Driving around in a rental car gives more freedom than the other alternatives, but some time will surely be lost in the process of orienting oneself in this relatively small but complicated city. From this perspective, hiring a driver can surely save some time.

Another option is to use taxies or buses to explore the city. Taxies are a cheap and relatively fast method of transportation. There are thousands and thousands of taxies in Managua, and most of them possess characteristics common to taxies in development countries. Very few have an intact air conditioning system, many windows can not close or open, door handles are missing, and taxi drivers are often eager to pick up as many passengers as possible which can surely limit the level of comfort. Despite these limitations, driving around in a taxi can be fun and with a basic knowledge of the Spanish language it is easy to get engaged in a conversation with the often friendly taxi drivers. Taxies do not use meters, so be sure to always agree on a price before getting into a taxi.

Buses are another option. Basically they offer less comfort and more adventure at an even lower price. There are many buses that follow a certain route, but for a short-term visitor it is virtually impossible to get an understanding of these routes. Asking locals about which bus to take is often the most effective method.

Finally, the international airport provides Managua with most important flight connections both at international and at national level. Almost all international flights arrive at this modern, friendly airport. Frequent flights to local destinations like Bluefields, Corn Islands and San Carlos also depart from this same location. The airport is located at the northern highway, about 8 kilometers from the heart of the city. Hotels, restaurants, and commercial centers can all be easily reached from the airport by car, taxi, or bus.

Read our Nicaragua Transportation Special for more information about the different methods of transportation.

Please note that it is not recommended to bike in Managua. The city’s infrastructure has not been set up with cyclists in mind, and drivers are also not very tolerant to bikers. Mostly out of necessity there are workers who use their bike to go to their work, but tourists are not advised to follow this example. Walking around in Managua is another issue. There are several areas where sidewalks allow people to explore the city by foot. Other areas, on the other hand, lack decent sidewalks and make it hard if not dangerous to get around by foot. For these areas, other transportation methods like taxi, car, or bus is advised.

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