Introducing Managua
Sprawling along the silvery edges of Xolotlán, broad Lago de Managua, this is the nation's capital and nerve center, an admittedly unlovely urban expanse of unsigned, tree-lined boulevards and uninspired modern monoliths that almost never seduce visitors into spending more time here than is absolutely necessary.
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Yet this sultry and seismic 'Daughter of War' and 'City of Peace' is beloved with a proud ferocity by its 1.4 million inhabitants, and its volcanic skyline and cosmopolitan charms have inspired a library's worth of poems. Aren't you curious as to why?
Start by ascending Loma de Tiscapa to Sandino's famous silhouette, with views from the ancient crater lake to monumental Volcán Momotombo (not to mention the wacky cathedral). And around you the city pulses, with great nightlife, excellent restaurants and, most importantly, thousands of families rebuilding their nation, poco a poco (little by little), into all that their poets and revolutionaries, campesinos and visionaries, once promised.
Last updated: Oct 1, 2008
Tips & articles
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Nicaragua: travel books to read before you go
4 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Nicaragua guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for your...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: A loop in Central America?
by lucapal 31 May 2012
Take out Managua and that leaves you with 10 worthwhile destinations.....plus Palenque and Tikal (if you are interested in Mayan stuff).…
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Re: August trip: SJSD, Ometepe, Granada/Leon
by esperanzas 31 May 2012
All I can say is, Take your time! It is nearly impossible to travel from SJDS to Ometepe, move onto to Granada and take a slice of Leon…
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August trip: SJSD, Ometepe, Granada/Leon
by neway27 31 May 2012
I'm planning a trip in August to Nicaragau. There will be two of us traveling (me and my boyfriend, both in our twenties). We are starting…
