Orientation

Managua is less a city and more a collection of bland neighborhoods bundled together. Be prepared to get lost and confused. No matter where you choose to stay in Managua, you will also have to jump in a taxi to properly see the highlights, as it is so spread out.

The former downtown area hugs the southern shore of Lake Xolotlan and is now known as the Zona Monumental. It sits beside the lakefront in the northwest quadrant of the city. Directly south is the city's hilltop Laguna Tiscapa, and between it is the area with the famous La Pyramide hotel and the Plaza Shopping Mall. To the east is the budget hotel neighborhood known as Barrio Martha Quezada. South of the Laguna Tiscapa is the area known as the Microcentro, with its five-star hotels and nightlife district -- known as the Zona Rosa. Managua's best and safest market, Mercado Roberto Huembes, lies 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of the Microcentro. The city's more upscale neighborhoods are known as Los Robles, Altamira, Bolonia, and San Juan.

The Pan-American Highway (Carretera Panamericana) crosses Managua in a horseshoe shape and is known as Carretera Masaya on its southeast approach and Carretera Norte in the northeast.

Street Maps -- If you plan on hanging around this city, you are going to need a good map. The government organization INETER (tel. 505/249-2746; www.ineter.gob.ni) produces the best street map of Managua (it's the best city map of Nicaragua, for that matter). Maps can be purchased at their main office opposite the Hospital Metrópoli Xolotlán and cost C75 ($4/£2). The tourism board Intur (tel. 505/222-3333; www.intur.gob.ni) also provides free maps but these seem to only feature the establishments that are advertised.