What to do in Managua?
October 26, 2007 1:02 PM
What do you recommend a gringo see in Managua, Nicaragua? I need to attend a meeting there in January, and have left one day free for whatever sightseeing might be of interest. I speak no Spanish; but my interests run to art, nature and history.
make sure you see the huge "1894" style statue of the dude with the machete and the AK47. i don't remember exactly where it is, but it's in a traffic circle of a central intersection. it's commpletely surreal. You could also read "the jaguar's smile" by salman rushdie before you go
posted by genmonster at 4:13 PM on October 26, 2007
posted by genmonster at 4:13 PM on October 26, 2007
My impression of Managua, from Nicaraguan cabbies and hotel folks, is much like rmless's: get the hell out ASAP. There's not a lot to do, and as a foreigner you should always pay the extra few bucks to make sure you get a legit cab, go to a decent restaurant, etc. Good luck. Oh! And yes, Apoyo is awesome. I had no idea it was that close to Managua; I came from Grenada.
Also, as to genmonster's point: I think that statue is in Grenada.
Any chance you can bump your exit flight back a couple days and see real Nicaragua? Even the "no rescheduling" airlines will do it for $50 or $75 sometimes...
posted by rkent at 8:22 PM on October 26, 2007
Also, as to genmonster's point: I think that statue is in Grenada.
Any chance you can bump your exit flight back a couple days and see real Nicaragua? Even the "no rescheduling" airlines will do it for $50 or $75 sometimes...
posted by rkent at 8:22 PM on October 26, 2007
It's interesting to fly into Managua. Try for a window seat. It just looked so odd to see no buildings over a handful of stories tall in all that tangled sprawl. (OK there are some, but they weren't in my view as we landed).
They warned us that Managua was really dangerous, but I just didn't see it. I'm sure there are bad areas to go to, but I never once felt threatened. I did hear that a couple people in the last group before me got mugged, but it was at night and they were stupid in terms of displaying wealth. I also heard there was a dangerous gang at this giant rally we were at, and some guy tried to pick my pocket there, but it all seemed pretty normal. I would think you'd be fine in most public areas during the day if you keep your head about you. It couldn't hurt to have a buddy.
If you'd like an interesting meal experience while you're there, try the Ruta Maya. It's a sort of pavillion restaurant with a huge tree growing up through its middle. The food is good and they have a lunch buffet on weekdays. On weekend nights they have concerts, often by famous (Nicaraguan) acts.
I thought the national museum was a little bit sad. Probably I'm just spoiled by more famous museums from big countries, but this one just didn't have much. Yet for that reason, it was also somehow endearing. It's like, they're giving it their best shot and valuing what they have. This isn't sounding right - it's not like they've got a few dusty bobbins and a torn Michael Jackson poster - - it's real art. The docents are young and nice and helpful. They'll likely have English speakers and it's so nice and cool in there on a hot day.
Then there's the huge bizarro Managua Cathedral. It is ugly as sin on the outside, but very nice on the inside. Continuing the bizarro theme in one side room is this giant glass birdcage case thing with Senor Jesus in it. The walls are red and full of little portholes, so the light shines in (or maybe it was light bulbs, can't remember). It's an excellent photo op.
The big statue genmonster is talking about is the Nameless Guerilla in the Plaza de la Revolucion. That's in an area about as central as you'll find, with the presidential palace (built by the Taiwanese in an odd favor-buying maneuver for UN votes, I heard) and some other important national things.
I thought the volcano was kind of ho hum.
One thing that bugged me about Managua was all the "On The Go" gas station/convenience stores everywhere. I mean, they didn't even bother to translate the name. Make an effort! Gotta be some American company. Inside was a bit depressing, because it was exactly like any American convenience store, down to the hot dogs. Teens in uniforms and matching visors, the same tile, many of the same snacks, the cold cases, plastic McDonaldsy furniture bolted to the floor, a little line at the ATM. Sigh. Just made me sad.
Grenada is a lovely place if you can get any extra time for travel. With all of its colorful colonial architecture, it looks almost like a cake. A dingy old cake, but still nice.
Enjoy, amigo.
posted by Askr at 10:16 PM on October 26, 2007
They warned us that Managua was really dangerous, but I just didn't see it. I'm sure there are bad areas to go to, but I never once felt threatened. I did hear that a couple people in the last group before me got mugged, but it was at night and they were stupid in terms of displaying wealth. I also heard there was a dangerous gang at this giant rally we were at, and some guy tried to pick my pocket there, but it all seemed pretty normal. I would think you'd be fine in most public areas during the day if you keep your head about you. It couldn't hurt to have a buddy.
If you'd like an interesting meal experience while you're there, try the Ruta Maya. It's a sort of pavillion restaurant with a huge tree growing up through its middle. The food is good and they have a lunch buffet on weekdays. On weekend nights they have concerts, often by famous (Nicaraguan) acts.
I thought the national museum was a little bit sad. Probably I'm just spoiled by more famous museums from big countries, but this one just didn't have much. Yet for that reason, it was also somehow endearing. It's like, they're giving it their best shot and valuing what they have. This isn't sounding right - it's not like they've got a few dusty bobbins and a torn Michael Jackson poster - - it's real art. The docents are young and nice and helpful. They'll likely have English speakers and it's so nice and cool in there on a hot day.
Then there's the huge bizarro Managua Cathedral. It is ugly as sin on the outside, but very nice on the inside. Continuing the bizarro theme in one side room is this giant glass birdcage case thing with Senor Jesus in it. The walls are red and full of little portholes, so the light shines in (or maybe it was light bulbs, can't remember). It's an excellent photo op.
The big statue genmonster is talking about is the Nameless Guerilla in the Plaza de la Revolucion. That's in an area about as central as you'll find, with the presidential palace (built by the Taiwanese in an odd favor-buying maneuver for UN votes, I heard) and some other important national things.
I thought the volcano was kind of ho hum.
One thing that bugged me about Managua was all the "On The Go" gas station/convenience stores everywhere. I mean, they didn't even bother to translate the name. Make an effort! Gotta be some American company. Inside was a bit depressing, because it was exactly like any American convenience store, down to the hot dogs. Teens in uniforms and matching visors, the same tile, many of the same snacks, the cold cases, plastic McDonaldsy furniture bolted to the floor, a little line at the ATM. Sigh. Just made me sad.
Grenada is a lovely place if you can get any extra time for travel. With all of its colorful colonial architecture, it looks almost like a cake. A dingy old cake, but still nice.
Enjoy, amigo.
posted by Askr at 10:16 PM on October 26, 2007
I enjoyed San Juan del Sur, on the west coast very close to the Costa Rican border. Very nice pretty quiet town with local kids playing baseball on the beach and hotels that serve red snappers straight from the ocean.
I was there fifteen years ago or more and I don't know how it has changed.
posted by philfromhavelock at 1:26 PM on October 27, 2007
I was there fifteen years ago or more and I don't know how it has changed.
posted by philfromhavelock at 1:26 PM on October 27, 2007
I <3>
However, Granada is not too far away (take a cab if you've only got a day) and it's a lovely, if somewhat touristy town. There's lots to see there: gorgoeus colonial architecture, some museums, Lago Nicaragua, good places to eat. Even though it's the most touristy town in Nicaragua, it's still pretty low-key and friendly.
posted by lunasol at 7:47 AM on October 28, 2007
However, Granada is not too far away (take a cab if you've only got a day) and it's a lovely, if somewhat touristy town. There's lots to see there: gorgoeus colonial architecture, some museums, Lago Nicaragua, good places to eat. Even though it's the most touristy town in Nicaragua, it's still pretty low-key and friendly.
posted by lunasol at 7:47 AM on October 28, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd advise against wandering around Managua to take in the streets. Make sure you have destinations in mind and take legit cars. Speaking no Spanish is not easy (I speak a tiny bit but have been there with fluent friends). When you go places, have your hotel concierge call taxis for you and negotiate the directions and the price before you get in the car.
You could see something cultural at the Ruben Dario theater.
If you want to take a small day trip, youshould go to my favorite place in the world: Laguna de Apoyo. It's a volcanic crater lake where you can swim and kayak. It's about an hour and a half busride from Managua.
I've been to Nicaragua twice in the past three years, most recently this August. Email me if you have any more questions! In general, I get out of Managua as quickly as possible and go surfing, so I don't have restaurant recs or things like that.
posted by rmless at 2:24 PM on October 26, 2007