Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
buildings. There are some efforts to resurrect the old city center, but most new construc-
tion now happens on the outskirts of the city center.
MANAGUA IN…
One Day
If you wake up in Barrio Martha Quezada, you can just walk to the top of
Loma de Tiscapa
and
the unmissable silhouette of
Sandino
. Then grab a cab (negotiating your fare beforehand!) to
Huellas de Acahualinca
for ancient history, then
Área Monumental
for the modern version. If
nothing's on at
Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío
that night, enjoy a mellow evening of live music
at
La Casa de los Mejía Godoy
.
Three Days
After communing with Sandino and Momotombo, you'll even have time to take the
Tiscapa
Canopy Tour
, then really enjoy the museums and monuments, and grab tickets for a show at
Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío; discuss afterward at
Bar La Cavanga
.
The next morning, check out Managua's lively art scene at
Epikentro
or
Códice
, followed by
a sandwich and coffee at the lovely
Casa del Café
. After lunch, grab a little down time in one of
Managua's leafy
parks
before hitting
Zona Hippo's
for some predinner drinks. After dinner,
make your way up to Parque El Carmen where you can catch some experimental theater at
La
Sala de Teatro Justo Rufino Garay
, or a poetry reading or live DJ at
Bar Art Café
, just down
the road.
Day three is for shopping: grab souvenirs at
Mercado Roberto Huembes
or resupply for the
hinterlands at the markets and malls. After lunch in exclusive Altamira, stop by the
Catedral
Metropolitana
. Then have a nap before hitting the Bello Horizonte neighborhood, where you
can enjoy your pizza to a mariachi soundtrack at
Pizzeria Los Idolos
before making your way to
Mrs Sponge
to get your groove on, Caribbean style, for your last night out.
Dangers & Annoyances
Pay attention, because you're probably going to hear this one time only: you can have a
wonderful time in Managua without getting stabbed, robbed, beaten or mugged even once.
Statistically, Managua is the safest Central American capital (although, considering the
competition, this is no great achievement) and most crimes here (in fact, most crimes in
the country) take place in the Mercado Oriental.
While the rest of the country seems to think that the capital is some sort of war zone
and Managuans will be constantly amazed that you
walked
three blocks
alone
and still
made it to your destination, staying safe here requires no greater amount of street smarts
than you'd use in any major city from New York to New Delhi. Don't flash expensive
