Managua & Mototombo
Nicaragua’s capital city rests on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán.
The city is guarded by the Momotombo stratovolcano, towering in the distance.
Humans have inhabited this lakeshore for millennia–human footprints dating back 4,000 years have been found preserved in rock-hard volcanic mud.
Managua: Spanish and Nahuatl Roots
Spanish Managua was established in 1819, on the site of a former Nahuatl settlement.
Managua became the capital of Nicaragua in 1852. The city was chosen as a split-the-difference compromise between liberal Leon and conservative Granada.
This choice was a mixed blessing. Managua enjoys pleasant weather for much of the year, but a seismic fault runs under the city.
Severe earthquakes are expected at least once every fifty years.
Managua’s New Commercial Zones
In the last century, devastating tumblers came in 1931 and 1972.
The 1972 quake destroyed much of the city, including the Catedral Santiago de los Caballeros.
Consequentially, most of the city’s new commercial zones are found in the south.
Park of Peace
While it’s undeniable that Managua has its faults, its citizens exhibit compensatory resilience.
Even after decades of dictatorship and revolution, you’ll find hard evidence of forgiveness and reconciliation here.
The Park of Peace, located near the old cathedral, displays the burned and concrete-encrusted remains of weapons—AK47s and even an entire tank—discarded after the civil war between the Contras and Sandinistas.
Loma de Tiscapa National Historic Park
Recent history looms large in Managua.
Visible from across the city, a giant metal silhouette of General Augusto Sandino rises above Loma de Tiscapa—the National Historic Park.
This site once housed both a presidential palace and a prison, built on the rim of a volcanic crater lake.
Rich History
Other worthwhile mentions include the lakefront boardwalk, the Simon Bolivar monument, the National History Museum, and the new cathedral.
The lavish National Theater and nearby park are named in honor of Rubén Dario, Nicaragua’s most celebrated poet.
Getting to Managua
Direct flights link Managua to Miami (2.5 hours) and Atlanta (under 4 hours). Regional flights connect the capital to San Jose and Panama City.
Private land transfers can be arranged from northern Costa Rica (2 hours) and southern Honduras (3.25 hours).
In general, the best time to visit is December through March, when the rains have passed but the landscape is still fresh and green.
September and November mark the height of the May to November rainy season.
The city’s malinche trees are in brilliant bloom between April and August.
When you travel with LANDED, you’ll be relaxed, prepared, and delighted. In fact, more than 90% of our business is repeat or referral. Speak with one of our expert travel planners today at 801.582.2100. Soon, you’ll have LANDED.
“To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
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