Managua

Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is also the largest city in Nicaragua. It is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua.

Directions in Managua are unlike most you will ever encounter. Earthquakes have left the city without a reasonable (or used) street address system, so most addresses are given based on landmarks and with the directions al lago - North, towards the lake, arriba/abajo (east/west) and al sur (to the South). For example, to instruct a taxi driver to drop you off at Casa Ben Linder, the directions are "en barrio Moseñor Lezcano, de donde fue el Banco Popular, 2 al lago, 2 arriba", which means, "in the Lezcano neighborhood, from where People's Bank used to be, 2 blocks towards the lake and 2 blocks East".

The "Zona Rosa" is an area with bars and restaurants that has sprung up in what was once a mostly residential area. It is located south of the BAC building. Highlights include Pharaoh's casino, Casa del Cafe, bars east of Lacmiel, la Casa del Baho restaurant, and Hipa Hipa bar.

Nicaragua the safest country in Central America. Minor gang violence has been filtering into Nicaragua from Honduras and El Salvador.

You don't see as many gang problems as you see in Honduras and El Salvador but they do exist but in much smaller numbers. They usually don't target tourists who are savvy, but if you go to the wrong place or get in an empty taxi you may be in danger, especially at night.

Go accompanied or avoid the Mercado Oriental. In Managua, avoid side streets outside of downtown (area between Metrocentro and around the BAC building.)

The area around the tica bus station has been deemed unsafe for tourists by the Nicaraguan police. If you must go, take a taxi to and from there.

If walking around Managua, watch out for the many pot holes on the street. Some man hole covers are missing and you can fall pretty bad.