Managua Things to Do

Nicaragua has several national rums and beers ..... When I first visited almost 15 years ago .. I had tried the Toña beer and didn't really like it .... but as you get older and wiser you taste palate
changes as you travel to all parts of the world and try and drink different things ....

And I must say .... I was served a Toña that was so cold that the bottle was turning white !!!! oh my god .... it was 100% perfect and delicious !!!!!!

It is a light lager but with great taste ....

If you get a chance try one .... the price of the beer is about $1.25 for the big 1.5 liter bottle .... serves 3 ... well worth it !!!!!

If you really want to experience Managua....then head to the market....and when I mean market....it's a market unlike any market you have ever seen in your life !!!!! Stay on the many isle and stay away from people trying to exchange your US dollars for the local currency !!!! Be forwarned....when entering the meat part of the market be ready for the horrible stink that you have never smelled in your life !!!! as all the meats are hung on hooks ready to be sold !!!! You can literally buy just about anything here someone tried selling me a baby cub tiger of all things !!!!!!....just use lots of common sense......leave all your possesions at home, bring small amounts of money and you should be ok if you get robbed !!!!!!!!!!

2 more images

After visiting the Plaza de la Revolucion with the ruins of the old Cathedral, i took the road to Granada to visit the new Cathedral. The church is located on an empty field near one of the particular traffic rings of the new city. It was designed by Ricardo Legoreta in 1991 and inagurated in 1993. Since the beggining the church created much contyroversy due to it´s design and it´s cost. I personally liked the church´s style, very similar to other buildings of Legoreta i´ve seen (Camino Real, Mexico. Torre Tlatelolco, Mexico. Hotel Sheraton, Bilbao) always using the mixture of geometric concrete shapes with touchs of warm colors. I specially liked the domes.

This volcanic lagoon formed in the crater of the old Tiscapa Volcano, is one of the city most important sights. It´s located in the middle of the Old and New Managua. Used to be a popular place for visitors during week-ends, now the lagoon is heavily poluted. There is a canopy line from the top to the shores of the lagoon.

2 more images

This historical Park is the place where the Presidential Palace used to be, it was destroyed by the 1972 earthquake, the place also was used as a prision for the Somocista´s followers. Actually there´s a huge statue of the famous Nicaraguan leader Sandino, and some historical monuments.

1 more image

In the park located in front of the Cathedral, there´s a modest monument to Santos Lopez. One of the founders of the FSLN movement.
He fought Somoza as a leader of the movement in some of the most famous guerrilla actions (Rio Coco and Bocay). He died In Havana Cuba.

1 more image

A small promenade with some local restaurants, located at the shores of Lago Managua with nice views of the lake. Some told me that is very popular among the Managuans during week.ends but it was completely deserted during my visit. Again the ghost town feeling.

1 more image

A huge circular explanade constructed for the visit of the Pope Juan Pablo II, located in front of the Concha Acustica, the place was deserted during my visit, just the Sandinista´s Propaganda surrounding the place. Specially in this part of the city i felt the sense of emptiness that is common to the city.