Where to stay in Managua
Where Is Managua in Nicaragua?
The capital city of Nicaragua, Managua is situated south of Lake Managua, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Lake Nicaragua and 50 kilometers east of the country’s North Pacific Coast.
What Is Managua Known For?
With no recognized city center and fascinating attractions scattered around its long list of neighborhoods, Managua is a city that one would have to navigate with a map, compass, and a discernible knowledge of where you are going, rather than ambling about in a daze of wanderlust. However, despite its perplexing nature, Managua is where you can discover the nation's culture and commerce together in one tantalizingly busy city. Aplenty with vibrant dining, exhausting nightlife, and revolutionary landmarks, Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua is also a place where you can discover a slice of down-to-earth urban life that you're unlikely to see anywhere else.
Attractions to Visit in Managua, Nicaragua
- Loma de Tiscapa: The best place to get your bearings in Managua is at the highest point in the city, Loma de Tiscapa, which is actually the lip of an extinct volcano. The original locale where the cruel dictator Anastasio Somoza Garcia had his elegant Moorish palace and his sadistic torture rooms, Loma de Tiscapa is now home to a looming statue of national hero, General Augusto Calderón Sandino.
- Palacio Nacional de la Cultura: Immerse yourself in Nicaraguan culture at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura. Home of the country’s cultural treasures, the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura houses an eclectic display of pre-Columbian statues and ceramics, wooden dance masks from around the country, and exhibits of contemporary artists. For every history buff, a trip to Palacio Nacional de la Cultura cannot be missed.
- Puerto Salvador Allende: Located at the western end of a three-kilometer malecón is a buzzing and bustling stretch of diverse restaurants and open-air food kiosks. A foodie's heaven, Puerto Salvador Allende is always buzzing with life, especially during lunchtime, early evenings, and weekends. With the toe-tapping beats of live music playing from vibrant bars, Puerto Salvador Allende is the best place to spend a Managuan evening.
Popular Destinations Near Managua
- Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya: The top tourist attraction in Nicaragua, the Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya is the only place in the world when you can drive to the edge of an active volcano, smell the sulfur whispering up from its entrails, and stare down into a bubbling lake of lava. Dubbed as the “La Boca del Infierno” — translating to “the Mouth of Hell” — by Spanish priests due to the famed tale that the local Nindiri people would cast young maidens alive into the bubbling magma to appease an easily-angered volcano god, visitors can peer into a vast crater glowing red during a fascinating night tour.
Best Neighborhoods in Managua, Nicaragua
- Paseo Xolotlán: Soak in the sights as you stroll along the Paseo Xolotlán. The most popular locale in Managua for families, this lakeside promenade is an exemplary illustration of the dramatic urban regeneration of the city. Home to a stationary airplane that creates perfect photo-taking opportunities, miniature models of pre-earthquake Managua, and family-friendly water parks, Paseo Xolotlán has something for all the family. With a relaxed, friendly vibe, the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked snacks, and a kitschy color scheme, Paseo Xolotlán is the very epitome of the deliciously authentic Nicaraguan spirit.
Home-types in Managua
Managua has a variety of property types for you to consider when booking a trip. Here are the most popular property types in Managua:
- Hotel: 74 vacation rentals
- Bed and Breakfast: 27 vacation rentals
- House: 25 vacation rentals
Points of interests in Managua
Managua has several popular points of interest for you to check out when visiting the area. Here are the most popular points of interest in Managua:
- Replicas De Iglesias De Nicaragua: 5,183 vacation rentals
- Japón Nicaragua Park: 5,183 vacation rentals
- Santiago of Managua Cathedral: 5,183 vacation rentals
- Arboretum Nacional Juan Bautista Salas: 817 vacation rentals
- Managua Transport: 817 vacation rentals
- Arboretum Nacional: 817 vacation rentals
- Monument to the Unknown Soldier: 817 vacation rentals
- Luis Alfonso Velásquez Flores Park: 817 vacation rentals
- Traces Archaeological Museum Acahualinca: 817 vacation rentals
- Seawall Managua: 817 vacation rentals
