How to get Esteli?

i took the bus with no problems.

Are you sure you want to go to Esteli?....

I wouldn't go to Esteli. I got poopoo'ed on by a pidgeon there once. It was really scary. I'd never go back. I wouldn't recommend anyone to go there.

That's too funny. All the panic in the street posts can be too much. How many people just got whacked in Canada or the US today? I wonder if their travel numbers will budge? A little perspective is required. If I recall correctly, there have been "one" murders in Granada in the last 18 months, and suspicion has it that the victim was invloved in the drug trade. It appeared to be a hit, more than a random act.

I don't think boomer was trying to say that Esteli is 'dangerous' or anything like that. He probably thinks it is too boring (and he may be correct, depending on your preferences). I spent two weeks there last month and liked it just fine.

You can surely take a bus. There were at least eight or ten express buses from Esteli to Managua each day, so I'd have to assume an equal number going the opposite direction.

I had planned to visit Leon, but I liked Esteli well enough that I changed my plans and just stayed there until it was time to go home. (One factor was the weather. People said Leon was a lot hotter than Esteli, and I don't like the heat.)

If you don't mind, I will recommend Hotel D'Sol. I haven't seen it in any guidebooks, but it is very clean and reasonably priced. The owners and employees are all tops in my book! Hot water, cable TV, and security could not be better. Walk straight south five blocks from the cathedral.

matagalpa is even cooler, heat wise. leon has some nice chruches but you are right about the heat, it will suck the life right out of you.

Thanks for the reply. The reason to go to Esteli is neither tourism or learning Spanish. Esteli can be nice or ugly place or boring as well. My daughters will be on voluntary service there and planning to spend some months. Everything is well organized, accomodation, etc. except the transfer from Managua.

Esteli is great pigeons and all. The bus is doable. Not pleasant but what bus is in Central America is? Try to get to Somoto if you're in the area it's pretty cool.