Managua, Nicaragua
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Managua is Nicaragua’s capital city and the landing pad for anyone flying into Nicaragua. Unlike most, I decided to spend a couple of nights in this under-touristed city on a lake, and I’m glad I did. Managua, for me, was a salve for the nerves I felt about visiting a country only the most adventurous backpackers do. This city, with its eerily empty parks, earthquake-destroyed cathedrals, and windy and militarized viewpoints, taught me to be careful with secondhand assumptions about places and people. Better, always, to draw my own conclusions. In Managua, I met a sense of safety and warmth that took me a second to receive, as it went so against what I thought I knew about this country. Managua pushed me back into a place of open-mindedness, offering up a blank slate, all in preparation for the adventure to come within its borders. Here’s where I ate, slept, and explored while in Nicaragua’s capital city.
Restaurants & Cafes
Buenas Vibras Coffee
This is where I took my first sip of Nicaraguan coffee and fell in love. If only I’d realized sooner the beautiful patio they had out back to savor it in.
Pane e Vino
A splurge by Nicaraguan standards, Pane e Vino’s menu of Italian classics is worth every Cordoba, and with an atmosphere to match.
Quesillos El Pipe
For a snack-sized bite out of Nicaraguan street food in a restaurant setting, Quesillos El Pipe is the spot. At its most basic, a quesillo is a warm tortilla stuffed with melted soft cheese and topped with pickled onions and sour cream.
Quality Nicaraguan coffee and mouthwatering desserts, like banana pie, are what you’ll find at this open and airy Managua cafe. It’s also perfect for working away at your computer between bites and sips.
Cocina de Doña Haydée
This foodie gem of Managua is home to authentic Nicaraguan food and a nice sampling of regional cuisines from around the country all in one place. It’s always buzzing with mainly locals no matter the time of day.
Things to Do
Paseo Xolotlán
A three-kilometer promenade that hugs the windy shores of Lake Xolotlán (Lake Managau), the Pasea Xolotlán is a great spot to soak in the atmosphere of local life in Managua with its restaurants, kiosks, and models of pre- 1972 earthquake Managua.
Revolution Square
Revolution Square is home to several attractions worth visiting, including the miraculously still erect Santiago Cathedral, the tomb of Sandinista hero Carlos Fonseca, a marble monument to the poet Rubén Darío, and the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura where national treasures are housed.
Loma de Tiscapa
Head here for the best views of Managua on historic ground. The towering silhouette that marks the hilltop is that of national hero General Augusto Calderón Sandino. It stands symbolically atop where the cruel dictator Anastasio Somoza Garcia’s palace and torture rooms once stood.
Hostels
La Bicicleta Hostal
Located within a leafy and pedestrian-friendly corner of Managua, La Bicicleta Hostal is a quiet oasis in the big city. Breakfast is included, the dorms and private rooms have fans to keep you cool in the Nicaraguan heat, there’s a communal kitchen, and the indoor-outdoor grounds are perfect for relaxing with a book, laying out your yoga mat, or chatting with new friends over craft beers from the hostel’s beer cooler.
Getting To, From, & Around Managua
Getting to/from Managua
By Flight
Managua is home to the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA). It services flights from the following carriers:
Aeromexico (from Mexico City)
American Airlines (from Miami)
Avianca (from Miami and San Salvador)
Conviasa (from Havana)
Copa Airlines (from Guatemala City, Panama City, and San Jose, CR)
La Costeña (from Bluefields, Bonanza, Corn Island, Puerto Cabezas, and Waspam)
Sansa Airlines (from San Jose, CR)
Spirit Airlines (from Fort Lauderdale)
United Airlines (from Houston)
You can search for flights and track prices using your favorite flight comparison tool. If you don’t have one yet, my favorite flight aggregator tool is WayAway and my favorite tool for finding out about the best flight deals is FareDrop, while Hopper’s great for keeping track of when to book at the best price.
By Public Transportation
Nicaragua has a vast network of “chicken buses” that can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go with some patience and an adventurous spirit. From Managua, there are buses headed south to places like Granada and San Juan del Sur or north to Leon. The bus station depends on which direction you’re going, so just ask your host or hotel where to go for the bus heading in the direction you need.
By Taxi or Shuttle
Both taxis, private transport, and shared shuttles are available between most destinations in Nicaragua, as well to/from destinations around Nicaragua, like Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Whenever available, I usually book a shared shuttle or private transport through Bookaway or 12Go, two reliable sites that aggregate vetted local transportation operators and that offer the added benefit of 24-hour live support should anything come up during your trip.
Explore Bookaway’s Nicaragua routes
Explore 12Go’s Nicaragua routes
Taxis will typically run you between $50 and $70 between destinations within Nicaragua.
Getting Around Managua
While Uber doesn’t work in Nicaragua, something called Ray App does, but only in Managua. It’s essentially the same thing as Uber and a safe and reliable option to get around that means no haggling, plus the added protection of in-app support and safety features.
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Travel Resources
Accommodations: When I’m not booking directly with the accommodation (which is sometimes cheaper), I often use Booking.com, Trivago, and Hostelworld.com. Agoda is also a great tool when searching for longer stay options at discounted rates that include hotels and private homes.
Tours: While I personally prefer do-it-yourself travel most of the time, sometimes it’s just better with a guide. In those cases, I typically use Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, and Airbnb Experiences. For self-guided audio tours, I recommend WeGoTrip.
Flights: My favorite flight aggregator tool is WayAway and my favorite tool for finding out about the best flight deals is FareDrop, while Hopper’s great for keeping track of when to book at the best price.
Shuttle Services: My go-to’s are Bookaway and 12Go. Both sites aggregate vetted local transport options in destinations all over the world with the added benefit of 24-hour live support should anything come up during the journey.
Travel Insurance: If you’re a full-time nomad like me, I recommend SafetyWing. For medical coverage during shorter trips, I frequently use and would recommend Squaremouth. It aggregates your options across more than 22 providers and offers what I’ve found to be the best rates.
Travel Debit & Credit Cards: If you travel often and like perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credit, I recommend the Capital One Venture X credit card that includes Priority Pass, a $300 annual travel credit, and covers your Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee. For a fee-free ATM card that reimburses you at the end of every month for any incurred ATM fees, I recommend opening a Schwab Bank Investor Checking Account.
VPN: I recommend Surfshark. It’s one of the best and most budget-friendly VPN services out there.
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