Grano de Oro

Managua

Managua is hot, especially during April and May. This capital city is located in the lowlands, on the shores of Lake Managua (or Lake Xolotlán). Because it is on an open plain, the city does not have the pollution problems suffered by other capital cities which are trapped in valleys.
Managua's center was mostly destroyed by an earthquake in December 1972. The principal commercial areas are now situated south of the city where you will find a variety of shops and discotheques.
You can still see, however, some examples of colonial architecture in the old center. The Old Cathedral is in ruins, but is still a popular tourist attraction. The National Palace is being renovated to become the National Palace of Culture. Both of these buildings are on the Central Park and are in stark contrast to the modern Ruben Darío Theater on the lakeshore. The theater is the site of good plays and musical events.
Another landmark is the beautiful Olof Palme Convention Center. This "Swedish modern" structure covers 86,000 square feet. The major hall has a capacity for 1,250 persons. Its convention and meeting facilities are state-of-the-art, on par with any other convention center in the world.
The airport: is located at 7 miles (11 km) from downtown. Two hotels are in the airport area: Las Mercedes Hotel, across the street and Camino Real, about 1 mile further down the road to Managua. Immigrations and Customs areas as well as baggage pick up area are air-conditioned. Airline check in counters are not. The process is simple, and with normal loads your process time for arrivals is no more than 30 minutes, and even less with our "Airport Meet and Assist Service". Car rentals counters and pick up are at the Customs exit door.
Transfer Service: is provided with an agent and a driver waiting immediately outside the customs exit doors. Baggage handling tips are not included. Optional "Airport Meet and Assist Service" is provided with a bilingual agent waiting before the immigrations area, ready to help you through the entry process. Baggage handling tips are included in this service.

Highlights:

City Tour: Even though the 1972 earthquake destroyed most of the downtown area, the remaining old Cathedral, the Rubén Darío Theater and the recently restored National Palace offers a different yet interesting tour to the past. All these with the Lake of Managua as the background. The new city is sprawling with businesses, banks, fountains and new roads. The main Universities are here, as well as the Central Government and the financial center.
Archaeology: The "Acahualinca Footprints" show footprints of man and animals fleeing from a volcanic eruption some time around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago.
Shopping: The Huembes market is the best place to look for arts and crafts of artists from all around the country. 10 minutes from any hotel, and no less than 1 and a half hours to shop around. The city tour takes 3 hours.
Culture: Many art galleriex (Josefina, Genesis, Praxis, etc.) arts & crafts boutiques, the Ruben Dario Theatre and the old Cathedral ruins offer a special opportunity for a different view of the city.
Chiltepe Marina: (opens August 98). Across Lake Managua, relaxing natural surroundings, enjoy a drink or a nice meal while overlooking the city of Managua's skyline or the Monument to Peace House Light. Right beside Xiloa Lagoon, another beautiful place to visit.

Hotels:
Hotel Inter-Continental Managua
Hotel Las Mercedes

Other Areas: [Bluefields] [Corn Island] [Granada & The Isletas] [Leon] [Managua] [Masaya]
[Los Pueblos] [Ometepe] [Rio San Juan] [Selva Negra] [Solentiname]

Managua is hot, especially during April and May. This capital city is located in the lowlands, on the shores of Lake Managua (or Lake Xolotlán). Because it is on an open plain, the city does not have the pollution problems suffered by other capital cities which are trapped in valleys. Managua's center was mostly destroyed by an earthquake in December 1972. The principal commercial areas are now situated south of the city where you will find a variety of shops and discotheques. You can still see, however, some examples of colonial architecture in the old center. The Old Cathedral is in ruins, but is still a popular tourist attraction. The National Palace is being renovated to become the National Palace of Culture. Both of these buildings are on the Central Park and are in stark contrast to the modern Ruben Darío Theater on the lakeshore. The theater is the site of good plays and musical events. Another landmark is the beautiful Olof Palme Convention Center. This "Swedish modern" structure covers 86,000 square feet. The major hall has a capacity for 1,250 persons. Its convention and meeting facilities are state-of-the-art, on par with any other convention center in the world. The airport: is located at 7 miles (11 km) from downtown. Two hotels are in the airport area: Las Mercedes Hotel, across the street and Camino Real, about 1 mile further down the road to Managua. Immigrations and Customs areas as well as baggage pick up area are air-conditioned. Airline check in counters are not. The process is simple, and with normal loads your process time for arrivals is no more than 30 minutes, and even less with our "Airport Meet and Assist Service". Car rentals counters and pick up are at the Customs exit door. Transfer Service: is provided with an agent and a driver waiting immediately outside the customs exit doors. Baggage handling tips are not included. Optional "Airport Meet and Assist Service" is provided with a bilingual agent waiting before the immigrations area, ready to help you through the entry process. Baggage handling tips are included in this service.

Highlights:
City Tour: Even though the 1972 earthquake destroyed most of the downtown area, the remaining old Cathedral, the Rubén Darío Theater and the recently restored National Palace offers a different yet interesting tour to the past. All these with the Lake of Managua as the background. The new city is sprawling with businesses, banks, fountains and new roads. The main Universities are here, as well as the Central Government and the financial center. Archaeology: The "Acahualinca Footprints" show footprints of man and animals fleeing from a volcanic eruption some time around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. Shopping: The Huembes market is the best place to look for arts and crafts of artists from all around the country. 10 minutes from any hotel, and no less than 1 and a half hours to shop around. The city tour takes 3 hours. Culture: Many art galleriex (Josefina, Genesis, Praxis, etc.) arts & crafts boutiques, the Ruben Dario Theatre and the old Cathedral ruins offer a special opportunity for a different view of the city. Chiltepe Marina: (opens August 98). Across Lake Managua, relaxing natural surroundings, enjoy a drink or a nice meal while overlooking the city of Managua's skyline or the Monument to Peace House Light. Right beside Xiloa Lagoon, another beautiful place to visit. Hotels: Hotel Inter-Continental Managua Hotel Las Mercedes