Managua

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Managua which includes tranquil scenes
Managua
Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board

A rich cultural and natural heritage, including ancient crater lakes and remnants of 16th-century colonial architecture, characterize the Nicaraguan capital.

Managua’s old-world beauty is slowly giving way to a multicultural urban center full of redevelopments. Surrounding all this are rainforests, crater lakes and mountains. Managua is a destination for the intrepid traveler who will appreciate preserved Central American charms, unspoiled nature and cheap modern facilities.

The capital of poverty-stricken Nicaragua on the banks of Lago Xolotlán (Lake Managua) is home to over a million residents. The older generations still remember the devastating 1931 and 1972 earthquakes and the political upheaval that followed.

Grab a bottle of pinolillo, a cacao and corn drink, to cool down as you walk. Note that some areas are unsafe to explore on your own, either on foot or by car, especially after dark. Take buses, join a guided tour or, if you understand Spanish, pay a taxi driver extra cordobas to give you a narrated tour.

Some relics have survived in the old town and the Zona Monumental. Inspect the exterior of the ruined Antigua Catedral Santiago de Managua and enjoy the sunshine in Parque Central, a neoclassical park. See the nearby National Palace (Palacio Nacional de la Cultura), a museum full of pre-Columbian ceramics and prehistoric mammal bones. Visit the Museum of Acahualinca to see preserved human footprints from thousands of years ago.

In the entertainment districts, such as Zona Rosa and the Malecón, visit one of the restaurants and bars full of university students. Alternatively, buy frijoles (fried kidney beans) in corn wraps or sweetened tamales wrapped in leaves from a street vendor.

Zipline over the Tiscapa Lagoon from the elevated Historical Park or hike to the crater in the Masaya Volcano National Park. A little farther away is the Pacific Coast and the white sand of Montelimar Beach.

Visit tropical Managua between November and April to enjoy Nicaragua’s dry season. Its international airport is close to Managua and buses run to nearby Granada and León. Long-distance buses leave Managua for El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica.

Where to stay in Managua

Puerto Salvador Allende showing general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort

District I

If you're spending some time in District I, Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Metrocentro are top sights worth seeing.

District I
This is a very cute and compact airport. Easy to navigate. It is the main airport in Nicaragua. 12/27/2015

District VI

If you're spending some time in District VI, Lake Managua and Pharaoh's Casino Camino Real are top sights worth seeing.

District VI
Default Image

Bello Horizonte

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Bello Horizonte and surrounding area, you can visit Multicentro Las Americas Shopping Center and Carlos Roberto Huembes Market.

Bello Horizonte
Apoyo Lagoon rests in the crater of an extinct volcano.  At the lookout point there are many shops/vendors and places to eat and a restroom

La Laguna

Travelers like the mountain views in La Laguna, and Laguna de Apoyo is a top attraction you might want to visit.

La Laguna
Mercado Carlos Roberto Huembes

District V

While visiting District V, you might make a stop by sights like Carlos Roberto Huembes Market and Plaza Las Praderas.

District V
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Villa Fontana

Though Villa Fontana might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Metrocentro.

Villa Fontana
Best Western Las Mercedes Airport

Best Western Las Mercedes Airport

4 out of 5
Km 11.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
$61 nightly
The price is $70 total per night from Nov 11 to Nov 12
$70 total
Nov 11 - Nov 12
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Managua. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,411 reviews)
"Ecxelente trato y muy amable todos sus empleados .Recomendado 100%"

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2025

Best Western Las Mercedes Airport
Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

4 out of 5
Km 9.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
$90 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Oct 17 to Oct 18
$104 total
Oct 17 - Oct 18
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Managua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,019 reviews)
"Very easy with warn friendly staff. Ceviche was very good, especially at the Friday luncheon."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua
Hotel Mozonte

Hotel Mozonte

3 out of 5
Residencial Bolonia, PriceSmart 1.5 cuadras al norte, Managua
$34 nightly
The price is $39 total per night from Oct 21 to Oct 22
$39 total
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Managua. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Galeria Praxis and Pharaohs Casino ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Breakfast is excellent. Rooms are spacious and clean. Free parking. 24 hours security. And best of all staff/front desk willing and helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Hotel Mozonte
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Verona Aparthotel

Verona Aparthotel

3 out of 5
Reparto San Juan, Sur de la UCA, 2C al Este, Calle La Esperanza, Managua
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Managua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Metrocentro and Pharaoh's Casino are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (39 reviews)
"Very good 👍 look good and feel good 👍 100% recommended"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Verona Aparthotel
Colonial Charm in Granada With private pool Near to City's Heart
Family Friendly

Colonial Charm in Granada With private pool Near to City's Heart Family Friendly

Granada
Stay at this vacation home in Granada. Enjoy private pools, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions La Polvora Fort and Museum and Chapel of Maria ...
"Our stay was absolutely amazing! The property was spotless, beautifully maintained, and even better than the photos. The host was warm, responsive, and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The location was perfect—close to everything but still peaceful. We couldn’t have asked for a better ..."

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2025

Colonial Charm in Granada With private pool Near to City's Heart Family Friendly
3 BR Colonial Downtown With Private Pool , King Beds, A/C and Great View

3 BR Colonial Downtown With Private Pool , King Beds, A/C and Great View

Granada
Stay at this vacation home in Granada. Enjoy private pools, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Casa de Los Tres Mundos and Convento San Francisco ...
10/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"The home is amazing. The location is perfect, close to everything but quite. We will return."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

3 BR Colonial Downtown With Private Pool , King Beds, A/C and Great View
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Managua

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
71
5 - Excellent 31%
4 - Good
94
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
48
3 - Okay 21%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
6
1 - Terrible 3%

3/5 - Okay

Out

It's a pretty run down capital city, but the country itself is a tropical treasure.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

There are lots of interesting things to see in the Managua area which I have visited in the past. At present,(2020) it is not safe to move around the country because of the coronavirus and political concerns. Don't give up on this beautiful country

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

We did not stay in the town but for the night. We had a guy take us around the town and to the masaya volcano. After driving around the town, I am very glad that we didn’t spend more time there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Come to Managua it’s not so hot like lot of the people think. But, use the air conditioning of your car if you want to be more comfortable

4/5 - Good

Rey

Its a great place with rich culture, but like any big city it has its downfalls. Be smart, be aware, and try to travel in groups.

4/5 - Good

Marcher

There should be a lot more information about the city and the country. It's a nice city and the country is absolutely beautiful. If you want more tourism you'll have sell yourself in a better way.

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