The Best of Managua
Like a lot of expats living in San Juan Del Sur we’ll head up to Managua once or twice a month. My situation is a little different, as my wife Meli is from Managua, and a lot of her family and friends are still there. So that’s always a big reason for us to head up.
Even for most expats living in Nicaragua who don’t have a Nicaraguan spouse, a regular Managua run is nice. Life in San Juan De Sur is awesome, and it is my favorite location in Latin America. However it’s still great to enjoy some of the benefits of the big city.
Managua is not my favorite city in Latin America. Most capitals in Latin America aren’t my thing, with the exceptions of Buenas Aires and Mexico City. But Managua is good for short trips and super useful for all of the amenities I’ll get into below.
Being the biggest city in the county it offers a lot that it’s hard to get elsewhere. Certain things we can’t get shopping in San Juan Del Sur, or that are are more expensive. So we, and lots of other expats living in San Juan Del Sur, make the two and a half hour trip to Managua.
Plus while we’re there we can enjoy some of the other things in the city. We’ll go to the movies, eat at different restaurants, work out the bigger gyms, and maybe get out for some nightlife. And then if we want to drive back there are some good hotels to stay the night.
I’ll start with the shopping.
Malls:
Galerias Santo Domingo
The best mall in Managua. There are 103 stores including the iShop for Mac, Radioshack (yes it still exists!), furniture, clothing, supplements, movie theatre, and a whole bunch more. Pretty much anything you can get at an American or Canadian mall. Plus a food court, nightlife area, and some other stuff I’ll mention below. Location.
MetroCentro
It's Walmart. You know it, I know it, it is what it is. It’s more of a mid-market store here than it is in North America. They have two locations now, one on Carratera Masaya and the other in the city center.
Pricesmart:
It’s our Cosco subsidiary. So it has everything you can imagine from Cosco back home. Annual membership is $40 per person / family. It has all the things you can imagine like Kirkland brands, and food in quantities that no normal person ever needs.
Need an 80 pack of toilet paper? They’ve got you covered.
Two locations - central Managua and Carterra Masaya
Hardware, Home Improvement & Household
Sinsa
Nicaragua does not have a Home Depot or a Lowe's. Our version of the big box home improvement store is Sinsa. It generally has a similar stock to what you'd find in the big box stores in Canada or the United States. However prices here are higher. So if you're looking at building in Nicaragua for example, you might want to consider working with a builder that can bring things in from outside of the country. Multiple locations around the city.
Siman
Siman is one of the bigger home retailers. It has a wide selection of furniture, appliances and home items plus clothes, electronics and more. Multiple stores and I like the Galerias location.
Movies:
Cinemas Galerias
Located in the Galerias mall as well, this is my favorite movie theater in the country. They usually have a solid selection the newest movies. And most often they are in English with subtitles in Spanish.
Gyms:
BeFit
Great selection of machines, classes and cardio equipment. Free weights are limited. So my wife likes it more than me.
Coliseo Gym
This is now my favorite restaurant in Managua. I am a huge fan of Asian food and I was brought here by an awesome Taiwanese couple that we met. By far the best Asian food in the country. Last time I was in the city I ate there twice within 12 hours. Location
Barrio Cafe
A Managua institution. Always busy, super fresh food, great service and for me the best Cobb salad in country. Location.
Mi Viejo Ranchito
An extremely popular chain with Nicaraguans, especially on the weekends. It’s got great typical Nica food in huge portions at good prices. We usually stop at the one just outside Managua. Location.
Buffalo Wings
My favorite wing spot / sports bar in the Managua. I actually go for the chunks rather than the wings. Which are just chicken breast pieces cooked wing-style. Trust me they’re the bomb! Multiple location around the city.
Casa Del Cafe
This is my favorite coffee shop if I need to sit down somewhere and do some work. A little bit like a Nica Starbucks. High-quality, comfy and good internet. Numerous locations around the city.
Standard fast food options:
If you want a taste of junk from home, all have multiple locations in the city - McDonalds, Burger King and Subway
Medical Care
Vivian Pellas Hospital
Need a check up from all the Burger King and McDonalds you just binged on? The Vivian Pellas Hospital is the best option for medical care for foreigners in Nicaragua. I’ve got a whole article on that you can read here.
Nightlife
Zona Hippos
The best nightlife strip in Managua. The whole street is lined with bars & pubs and gets packed on the weekends.
Ron Kon Rolas
This is the best venue for live rock music in the city. Usually one of the busiest in Zona Hippos.
Embassy Bar
Another one of the options on the Zona Hippos street. The bars on the street are pretty interchangeable. So just head to the spot with the music and vibe you like best. Location.
Other Bars:
Hard Rock Cafe
The chain has spot in the Galerias Mall. It’s fun on the weekends, a good mix of locals and expats. Location
Hotels
Intercontinental
Directly opposite the Metrocentro mall I mentioned above. The Intercontinental has been one of the best hotels in the city for a long time. Location.
Hyatt Place
Located next to the Gallerias Mall mentioned above, this is a great option if you want to shop or entertain yourself there. Location.
Best Western Airport
If you are flying out early the Best Western is the closest hotel to the international airport in Managua. It's not as good as the above two options but it's definitely the best location for early flights. Location.
Hotel Mozonte
A popular choice with Nicaraguans and long-term experts who want something a little less expensive than the above options. The rooms are nothing special but the pool is decent, it comes with free breakfast, and the price is a reasonable $60 or less per night including air conditioning. Location.
All right thanks for reading! If you're looking for help investing in Nicaragua reach out to me any of the ways below
Cheers,
Joel Stott-Jess
Cell / WhatsApp: (+505) 8176 8624
US Number: 1 786 753 8743
Skype: joelstottjess
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur.
Originally from Alberta, Canada he has been doing business in Nicaragua since 2014.
An investment consultant, serial entrepreneur, surfer, and outdoor enthusiast he is an expert on the real estate and business markets in Nicaragua. He also operates The Central Investor, a real estate and investment blog focused on the entire Central American region.
