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

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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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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 Las Praderas.

District V
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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
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Las Colinas

Though Las Colinas might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Plaza Las Praderas.

Las Colinas
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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
Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua

4 out of 5
Km 9.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P4,340 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
P4,340
P4,991 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
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! (1,006 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 Aug 1, 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 P4,589 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P4,589
P5,278 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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 Jul 31, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,315 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
P5,315
P6,112 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
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! (808 reviews)
"Our stay was absolutely wonderful. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable and the staff’s attention was simply outstanding. They were always ready to help and made sure everything was perfect for us. The restaurant was one of the highlights of our visit — the food was delicious, with ..."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 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.
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 Apr 27, 2025

Verona Aparthotel
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 Mar 17, 2025

Los Altos Apartments & Studios
Apartamentos Los Angeles Managua

Apartamentos Los Angeles Managua

2.5 out of 5
Edificio Armando Guido 5 1/2 c. al sur, San Luis Sur, Managua, Managua
Stay at this apartment in Managua. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced ...
Crawling with ants.
"Do not stay at this hotel. When I arrived, they did not have my reservation, but they let me in anyway. The room they gave me had ants crawling all over the bed. They made a half-hearted attempt to spray the floor, but they ran out of bug spray. I told them I would make it work because it was almost ..."

Reviewed on Dec 21, 2015

Apartamentos Los Angeles 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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