Managua, the Capital of Nicaragua and Unique American City

Orientation

The capital of Nicaragua has a lot to offer the interested traveler. So long as you don't expect everything or anything to go exactly as you planned. It is the central hub for all flights and bus destinations. The city is one of perpetual summer and the heat does take some getting used to. There are few remaining colonial buildings or downtown buildings as most of that was destroyed in the big earthquake of 1972.

The city is easy to get lost in but you can always ask which the lake is to find North. The shore of Lake Managua forms the northern boundary of the city and in giving directions the people say "towards the lake" instead of North. The outdoor markets, bus stations, modern commercial centers and shopping malls are the major landmarks along with the lake. In the middle of the city, there is a hill with a lagoon in it, the Tiscapa Lagoon, which has wonderful views of the city and surroundings.

Managua has its share of street crime and it is advised not to carry too much cash on you anywhere you travel in Nicaragua. Don't be surprised or stunned to see a lot of trash around, poor children begging at traffic lights, cows in traffic, etc.

Activities

The nightlife is quite active in Managua. So go ahead and head for any of the more popular night clubs in town and check out the Nicaraguan cuisine. There are also a couple of casinos complete with round the clock gambling. You can play poker or use the gaming machines.

To really experience the city you need to visit one of the many markets. The Mercado Oriental is the largest market in Central America. In 2008 there were a few serious fires destroying parts of this market but reconstruction and renovation is under way. The Mercado Huembes is smaller but a little nicer and is not so overwhelming.

Special attractions

If you are lucky enough to be visiting during the Semana Santa (Easter Week), have fun. Most locals head to nearby beach party extravaganzas. Make sure that you take adequate precautions and don't do anything fool hardy that you might regret at a later date. That said, the dancing is amazing and you should get some of the locals to teach you those Latin American dances. There are many other festivals and countless occasions for dancing.

If you are the kind who gets a kick from seeing geological phenomena like volcanic craters then you are in luck. Given the proximity of the city to the low lying and swampy regions which showcase eroded volcanoes craters, it is a simple task to organize an outing to the sites.

Some prehistoric footprints said to be more than 6000 years old made by 12 individuals are showcased at Huellas de Acahualinca. They were discovered in 1874 by quarry workers who found them buried under volcanic material. All footprints lead in one direction making archeologists believe that it was a migration. These are located on the southern shore of Lake Managua.

The Monumental Area

Budget cuts have ensured that all of Nicaraguan culture is easily viewed in one main museum building. The Palacio Nacional de la Cultural has the Hall of Natural History on the first floor. The second floor has the National Library and the National Archives housed together. A small art gallery on the first floor also showcases some local artisans and artists. There are also occasional events, like book and cultural fairs, in the "Plaza of the Revolution" or "Plaza de la Revolución" that is in front of the National Palace.

Rubén Darío National Theater is the place to visit if you are interested in the music, visual art and theatre of Nicaragua. Named after the famous Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío it overlooks Lake Managua. It is an important centre for the national performing arts. It is also one of the few buildings that survived the major earthquake of 1972.

The Cathedral of Santiago was built in 1929, but it needed reconstruction after the damage it faced in the 1972 earthquake. There is a new cathedral that was built (in a modern style that looks like an upside-down egg crate) to replace the older one but it is not as impressive as the shell of the old one that it replaced. The new cathedral is located next to the Metrocentro shopping mall.

Ready for a visit to Nicaragua? Check hotels at Nicaragua Hotels or in the capital at Hotels Managua