Managua Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Managua showing 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, characterise 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

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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
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La Laguna

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

La Laguna
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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
Mercado Carlos Roberto Huembes

District V

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

District V
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Las Colinas

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Las Colinas and surrounding area, you can visit Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Plaza Once.

Las Colinas
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Bello Horizonte

Bello Horizonte might not have many top sights, but Multicentro Las Americas Shopping Center and Carlos Roberto Huembes Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bello Horizonte
Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

4 out of 5
Km 9.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
The price is NZ$147 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$147
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
Surfers stay 1 night after a week in Popoyo
"Stay was very short, just an overnight before catching a plane home. The staff was great and the rooms were clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua
Best Western Las Mercedes Airport

Best Western Las Mercedes Airport

4 out of 5
Km 11.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
The price is NZ$171 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
NZ$171
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,312 reviews)
"We always stay here when we travel to Managua. Right across from the airport! Friendly and helpful staff, great buffet breakfast, free shuttle!"

Reviewed on 31 Jul. 2025

Best Western Las Mercedes Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Managua

DoubleTree by Hilton Managua

4 out of 5
Villa Fontana, Del Club Terraza, Managua, Managua
The price is NZ$164 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$164
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Managua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (800 reviews)
"Ww love statue here but this time was so annoying. To much noise"

Reviewed on 31 Jul. 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Managua
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.
Los Altos Apartments & Studios

Los Altos Apartments & Studios

4 out of 5
Club Terraza 600 metros al sur, Managua, MN
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Managua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Los Robles ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
Nice place
"The place was nice and also the staff. Hotels.com needs to update the map location"

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2025

Los Altos Apartments & Studios
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 Managua Metropolitan ...
9/10 Wonderful! (38 reviews)
Good room with a kitchen
"This place was clean and convenient and safe, it was good to have a kitchen."

Reviewed on 27 Apr. 2025

Verona Aparthotel
Friendly 4-Bed House in Managua

Friendly 4-Bed House in Managua

Unknown
Stay at this vacation home in Nindiri. Enjoy a garden and patios. Popular attractions Masaya Volcano National Park and National Zoo are located nearby.
2/10 (1 review)
Terrible
"Was a bad place with kids, if for adults was really uncomfortable imagine that with kids"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Friendly 4-Bed House in Managua
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.

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