One million of the country’s five million citizens reside here-the cosmopolitan hotspot of the country. Managua is an intriguing city and while it may not inspire immediate affection, it can grow on you over time. It may be difficult to navigate within the city. Although it was designated the capital of Nicaragua in 1857, after William Walker was expelled from Granada, Managua has yet to give its streets names. To aggravate matters, Managua has never fully recovered from a devastating earthquake and fire in 1931 and an earthquake that destroyed a 600-block area in the center of the city in 1972. Although many visitors to Nicaragua choose to sightsee elsewhere, the city’s many restaurants, shops, galleries, cultural performances and its active nightlife make it an interesting and entertaining destination.
Activities In Town
Managua is a large city and can be somewhat intimidating. Crimes against tourists are uncommon in Nicaragua but this is the city in which they most frequently occur. Use common sense, take cabs at night rather than walking and remain conscious of safeguarding your valuables as you would in most big cities. For navigation, find landmarks and use them, carry a map, ask for help or have a taxi take you to your destinations.
The Plaza de la República, formerly the Plaza de la Revolución and the old city center, is located on Lake Managua and is famous for the many political events that have taken place here over the decades. On the plaza, the shell of Catedral de Santiago, damaged in the 1972 earthquake after surviving the 1931 disaster, still stands and is, at this time, closed to the public. Also on the plaza, the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura houses the Museo Nacional with natural history and archeological displays, contemporary art and visiting exhibits, and the Rubén Darío National Library. This beautiful building also has an interesting revolutionary history; ask about it from the knowledgeable English-speaking guides. The museum hours are 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday and 9AM-4PM on Sa
turday and Sunday (222-3845). Across from the museum is the new palace of the President, where on occasion former President Enrique Bolaños made speeches on its steps. The country’s most famous and prolific theater, Teatro Rubén Darío, is on the northeast end of the plaza. For a schedule of performances or art exhibits, call 222-4205 or 222-3630. At the south end of the plaza is Centro Cultural de Managua. Visit during the day and you will be able to see artists at work and hear musicians practicing. Performances are also held here. A block north is the Malecón that comes alive and festive on Sundays after 3:00PM with Managuans flocking to the lake’s edge for live music, food and drink.
The Plaza de la República is part of a larger area called Area Monumental. Although one of the first places recommended to see, you will find the area largely unpopulated, in part due to earthquake damage. Just past the Centro Cultural de Managua there are several sculptures that provide an interesting reflection upon Nicaraguan history and development. The first sculpture is of a man reaching skyward with a machine gun and a pickaxe, a monument to the heroes of the Sandinista revolution. If you walk east, you will pass other sculptures and arrive at the Parque de la Paz (Park of the Peace). There is a lighthouse in its center and if you walk to the left, you will see weapons semi-buried in cement. This installation of weapons used during the revolution was orchestrated by ex-president Violeta Chamorro in order to make a statement for change and peace.
You may consider visiting the new cathedral, Nueva Catedral, pictures of which you’ll see in every brochure. For more information call 278-7063. If you climb the hill of Loma de Tiscapa, behind the Hotel Crowne Plaza (in the shape of a pyramid), you will see an enormous Sandino sculpture and be able to enjoy a great view of Managua’s unique geographical setting.
Locals enjoy having drinks after work and joining them for ‘happy hour’ at one of the many nightspots in town makes an enjoyable evening after a day’s sightseeing. You can find live music in a variety of types in clubs around Managua, many on Carretera Masaya.
Shopping
Managua has many opportunities for shopping and has large shopping centers, supermarkets called supermercados, and local markets in each corner of the city.
Shopping Centers
Carretera Masaya - On the highway leading to Masaya is the city’s newest district of development. There you can find restaurants, discos, casinos, offices, banks and stores.
Galerias de Santo Domingo and Multi Centro Las Americas are the two newest of the five modern shopping malls in Managua offering international chain store shopping in a posh setting.
Centro Commercial of Managua - This center consists of individual stores catering to locals and offers a variety of products. Go east from Rotunda Centro América from Carretera Masaya to reach.
Metrocentro Mall - Next to the new Hotel Intercontinental Metrocentro and not far from Carretera Masaya is the newest and largest mall and offering air-conditioning, international chains, a food court and cinemas. The food court is packed at lunch and is considered the place to ‘see and be seen’.
Plaza Inter - Next to the pyramid-shaped Hotel Intercontinental Managua and near Barrio Martha Quezada, this mall includes a department store, small novelty shops, a food court, cinemas, Internet access and air-conditioning.
Price Smart -100 meters before Rotonda el Güegüense heading west. The newest and most comprehensive, however, you need a membership card.
Supermarkets
The following supermarkets have many locations and are easily reached by taxi.
La Colonia -This chain is the most upscale of the markets and has prepared foods, a café, alcohol, books and magazines (with selections in English), clothes and the best selection of Nicaraguan and imported food including organic vegetables, cheeses and meats.
La Unión -This is the mid-range supermarket, similar to La Colonia.
Palí -This is a warehouse-style market with generally lower prices.
Markets
There are four big markets, predominantly offering household items, toiletries, clothing, shoes and more. Mercado Roberto Huembes has the best collection of arts and crafts for sale and is considered the safest market. These markets also serve as bus stations.
Excursions Nearby
Managua is centrally located and most of Nicaragua’s major cites and beaches are within a few hours drive. Pochomil and Montelimar, the largest resort in the country, are beaches located an hour away from Managua. Chocoyero-El Brujo is a waterfall and natural reserve located 23 kilometers south of the city. Masaya is a town famous as a home for arts and crafts. The markets sell a wide selection of Nicaragua’s crafts including ceramics, wooden objects, woven baskets, primitive paintings, hammocks, cigars, coffee and even stuffed iguanas and large frogs. Live traditional music and dance are offered here on Thursday evenings. If you visit Masaya’s villages, particularly Catarina, San Juan de Oriente and Monimbó, you will be able to see craftspeople at work. The nearby Masaya National Park is home to an active volcano and has a visitor center. An excellent scenic drive from Managua heading south is traveling via the western roads through El Crucero, Diriamba and Jinotepe, known as ranching country. This route hugs the foothills and mountains and offers vistas and glimpses of pleasant small pueblos. Coffee tours are gaining in popularity and can be arranged through a tour agency.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Managua’s upscale restaurants and most popular nightspots are located along Carretera Masaya between Centro America Roundabout and Metrocentro or Rubén Darío Roundabout. Zona Rosa in this same area caters predominantly to the young crowd; visitors should be aware of their valuables. The shopping malls have food courts with western style or Nicaraguan fast food. Around Martha Quezada Barrio, you will find budget style comedors and fritangas serving meat, beans, rice, plantains and salad.
Services
Banks, Credomatic and ATMs are located in or near shopping malls and hotels. Tellers will request to see your passport. Internet access is easily found in storefronts, malls and hotels starting at 15 córdobas per hour. Car rental is available at the airport with additional offices in the city and the larger hotels. The majority of tour companies operate out of Managua. Check with INTUR, your local contacts or the phone book to find what is available. Tours, including day-tours and eco-tourist adventures, are offered to destinations throughout the country.
Visa Office 266-0747, MasterCard and American Express Office 278-0500
Transportation Buses and Expresos
Local buses stop every four blocks and riding them is one way to learn your way around the city. Feel free to ask the drivers or conductors for your desired location.
For major destinations, buses leave every half-hour or less.
From Mercado Roberto Huembes: Departures for Granada, Masaya, Rivas (to reach San Jorge for ferries to Isla de Ometepe) and Tipitapa. Expresos and directos depart hourly (from the left/outgoing side of the bus plaza) for Rivas till 5PM with a 4PM expreso to San Juan del Sur.
From Mercado Israel Lewites: Departures for Chinandega, Jinotepe, León, and Pochomil. Expresos depart frequently for Chinandega and León.
From Mercado Mayoreo: Departures for Boaco, Estelí, Juigalpa, Matagalpa, Ocotal, Rama, Siuna, and Somoto. Expresos depart frequently for Matagalpa, Estelí, and Jinotega.
From U.C.A.: Expresos to Granada, Masaya, Jinotepe, and the Carazo towns departing frequently throughout the day.
Taxis
Taxi service is more than sufficient. You can reach most all destinations within the city for 10-50 córdobas a person. Taxis are recommended over local buses because they are faster and only slightly more expensive and to avoid pick-pockets. Always negotiate your price in advance. It helps to have the written address for less well-known destinations. Prices go up at night but you should take a taxi rather than walk. Better yet, hire the cab solo so it does not pick-up other customers.
