These modest gardens, inconveniently located halfway between Barrio Bolonia and the Plaza Monumental on Av Bolívar (well, it’s convenient if you’re making the hot 40-minute walk between them), features more than 200 species of plants, divided into Nicaragua’s five major life zones. Of these only the dry tropical forest and central lowlands look happy. Your fee includes a guided tour, where you’ll see a madriño, the national tree, and sacuanjoche, the national flower.

AFP/Getty Images
Arboretum Nacional Juan Batista Salas
Managua
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya
13.57 MILES
Described by the Spaniards as the gates of hell, the craters that comprise Volcán Masaya National Park are the most easily accessible active volcanoes in…
Convento y Museo San Francisco
26.35 MILES
One of the oldest churches in Central America, Convento San Francisco boasts a robin's egg–blue birthday-cake facade and houses both an important convent…
Museo Arqueológico Huellas de Acahualinca
1.62 MILES
Discovered by miners in 1874, these fossilized tracks record the passage of perhaps 10 people – men, women and children – as well as birds, raccoons, deer…
Antigua Catedral
0.61 MILES
The hollow shell of Managua’s Old Cathedral remains Managua’s most poignant metaphor, shattered by the 1972 earthquake – and slowly undergoing restoration…
Iglesia La Merced
26.21 MILES
Perhaps the most beautiful church in the city, this landmark was built in 1534. Most come here for the spectacular views from the bell tower – especially…
León Viejo
29.06 MILES
Buried and lost for over 300 years, this was Nicaragua’s first capital – a rough-and-ready settlement that some say was doomed from the start. Founded in…
Parque Histórico Nacional Loma de Tiscapa
0.48 MILES
Home to what’s easily Managua’s most recognizable landmark, Sandino’s somber silhouette, this national historic park was once the site of the Casa…
Casa de los Leones & Fundación Casa de los Tres Mundos
26.31 MILES
Founded in 1986 by Ernesto Cardenal, the Fundación Casa de los Tres Mundos moved to elegant Casa de los Leones in 1992. Casa Los Leones was built in 1720,…