Your first inclination may be to book it outta here…. It is busy and little chaotic…but if you stick around and want a little urban adventure then go for it.

From a 1972 earthquake and years of civil war, Managua is slowly rising from the ashes and has a population just under 1.5 million.

There are four small crater lakes/lagoons within the city limits and features four smaller crater lakes or lagoons within city limits. Here is the list

• Tiscapa Lagoon is a 10,000 year old crater south of the old downtown .
• Asososca Lagoon, to the west, is Managua’s most important source of drinking water. Asososca is located near the beginning of the highway to León.
• Nejapa Lagoon, south of Asososca Lagoon, is also along the Southern Highway.
• Acahualinca Lagoon, located to the northwest close to the shores of Lake Managua is known for its shallow waters.

Managua has other monumental sights to visit as well…here are a few

• The Puerto Salvador Allende is in the port area and has some great dining venues from budget to elegant and some great pathways for walking.
• Plaza de Revolucion
• Huellas de Acahualinca is a museum to see artifacts unearthed from the shores of Lake Managua which shows 10 people footprints as well as other animals in birds that date back 6,000 years ago. It is considered a national treasure
• Antigua Catedral Although desolate and vacant since the 1972 earthquake, it is still a beauty waiting to be brought back to its former glory
• The Metrocentro mall for those who are looking to shop
• Catedral Metropolitana Just north of the mall is this new cathedral opened in 1993 it is known as an architectural marvel.

Culture

Managua is home to many people groups and therefore has lots to offer if you seek it out. Some special festivals are noted below

• Managua’s most famous festival is that of its patron saint Santo Domingo de Guzmán It starts on the morning of August 1, when the “Bajada del Santo” (walk down of the saint) involves many joyful people walking and carrying the old statue of Santo Domingo from Las Sierritas Church in south Managua to another church across the city to the north, in the area destroyed by the 1972 earthquake. It remains here for ten days until the morning of August 10, Costumes , colour and music are on display
• Another festival taking place since 2003 is the Alegria por la Vida(Happiness for Life) Carnaval is celebrated in Managua at the beginning of the month of March.