Managua
Most travelers use Managua for a night or two on the way to colonial Granada or León.
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Managua is the capital of Nicaragua and the main airport city for the country. It sits on the southern shore of Lake Managua. A 1972 earthquake destroyed much of the old downtown, so the city spreads out along wide roads, and most visitors get around by taxi or car. The Tiscapa lookout, on a hill above Tiscapa lagoon, a crater lake inside the city, gives a view of Managua and the lake.
Plan one or two nights here, either on arrival or before continuing to Granada or León by road. Choose a base near where you plan to eat and sleep. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the most comfortable time for the lookout and the road trips. A short stay suits people who want the colonial cities more than a long city visit.
Managua in five
- Use radio-dispatched or red-plate taxisUK advice warns of express kidnapping in unauthorized taxis. Use a hotel or radio-dispatched taxi, or an authorized taxi with red plates and the driver's ID visible, and avoid colectivos.Where to stay in Managua
- Change money at a bank, not on the streetOnly US dollars can be freely exchanged, so bring cash dollars rather than pounds. UK advice links street changers to assault and muggings; official changers work at the front of banks, and ATMs dispense dollars or córdobas.Money in Nicaragua
- See the old center only by dayUK advice says to take care around markets, bus stations and the old cathedral in Managua and not to visit them on foot after dark. Go by taxi, in daylight.Managua in 2 days
- Choose a hotel with a 24-hour front deskUK advice for women travelers is to use hotels with staff at the front desk around the clock and adequate security. The same filter helps any late arrival, since the desk can call a taxi you can trust.
- Book the onward transfer before you landGranada is roughly an hour away and León about two, but highways lack street lighting and UK advice says to avoid driving at night. Arrange a daytime transfer or sleep near the airport.Managua to Granada and León
Things to do in Managua
See all attractions in Managua
Need to know
- Airport
- Augusto C. Sandino International (MGA)
- Getting there
- Nicaragua's main international airport
- Getting around
- Radio-dispatched or authorized taxis; the city is spread out
- Best base
- Carretera a Masaya or Altamira and Los Robles
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Dry, breezyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Dry, hotFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°Dry, hotMarchClear
Best
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh35°Low25°HottestAprilClear
Good
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- MayRain20 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°WetJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 286 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Short dry spellJulyRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°WetAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°WettestSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°WetOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 411 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rains easeNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, greenDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, green
Average daily high and low in Managua, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Managua
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 86%
Managua
04:00 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today34°25°86%Monday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Tue32°24°86%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Wed28°24°89%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Thu26°23°89%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Fri28°23°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat29°23°86%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sun29°24°89%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
Updated 03:55 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 36.86 NIO
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Managua, the full guide- Granadaabout 1 hour by roadColonial streets on Lake Nicaragua and boat trips to the islets.Read the guide
- Leónabout 2 hours by roadA university city with a large cathedral and volcano boarding nearby.Read the guide
- Masaya Volcanohalf day with a registered operatorAn active volcano; check access and go with an experienced guide.
Before you go to Managua
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Rules for Managua, checked
- Use a radio-dispatched taxi or an authorized taxi with red plates; the driver's ID number, name and photograph should be visible on the dashboard.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Take care around markets, bus stations and the old cathedral in Managua, and do not visit these areas on foot after dark.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Managua FAQ
Is Managua worth visiting?
For a night or two, as a stop. The old center, the Tiscapa viewpoint and the national theater fill a day, but most visitors treat the city as a gateway to Granada, León and the south. One day is enough if you are only passing through.
Is Managua safe for tourists?
UK advice says foreign nationals have been affected by violent crime, that attacks on people in vehicles are common and that you should avoid markets, bus stations and the old cathedral area on foot after dark. Use authorized taxis and read the current advice.
How far is Granada from Managua?
Roughly an hour by road in good conditions, longer in traffic. A pre-booked transfer in daylight is the usual choice. UK advice says highways lack street lighting and to avoid driving at night.
Should you change money at the airport or in the city?
Use a bank or an ATM rather than a street changer. UK advice says the US dollar is the only foreign currency freely exchangeable and that banks do not exchange British pounds, so arrive with dollars in small bills.
Where should you stay in Managua?
The Carretera a Masaya corridor or Altamira and Los Robles for restaurants and staffed hotels, a hotel near the airport for a dawn flight. See the old center by day only, not as a base.