Getting There & Departing

By Bus -- The city's market bus station is known as COTRAN Sur, 15 blocks south of Parque Central (tel. 505/2713-6162), and it serves major cities such as Managua, León, and Matagalpa. There are hourly buses for the capital that take 3 hours and cost C60. The last bus for Estelí from Managua is at 5:45pm. Matagalpa-bound buses leave from Estelí every 30 minutes, with the last bus leaving at 4:20pm. This trip takes 2 hours and costs C40. There are only two services a day between León and Estelí. These buses leave León at 6:30am and 3pm and Estelí at 6:45am and 3:10pm. The journey takes 3 hours and costs C60.There are also numerous microbuses that serve these routes regularly.

By Car -- To drive from Managua, you must take the airport road east to Tipitapa, and then go north via Sebaco. The road then forks, with Matagalpa to the northeast and Estelí to the northwest. Budget Rent a Car (tel. 505/2713-2584; esteli@budeget.com.ni) is located 20m (66 ft.) south of the Monumento Centenario on the Panamericana. Dollar Rent A Car (tel. 505/2713-3060) is on the Panamericana at Km 1140.

Visitor Information

There's a small Intur, a half-block south of Parque Central on Avenida Central (tel. 505/2713-6799), but it's pretty useless. It is open weekdays from 7am to 2pm. Many of the city's Spanish schools are good sources of information concerning where to go in the area, as well. Agencia de Viajes Aries (tel. 505/2713-3369) is a conventional agency offering transport bookings and tours of the area. It is located 1 block west and half a block south of the Enitel building on Avenida Principal. Hospedaje Luna, (1 block north, behind cathedral; tel. 505/8441-8466; www.cafeluzyluna.com) is a great source of local information, and the English owner will even help organize tours such as seeing the towns murals or visiting the thriving cigar factories.

Spanish Language Schools in Estelí

Estelí is a great place to stop and brush up on your Spanish, since it is home to a number of language schools. Asociación de Madres de Héroes (tel. 505/2713-3753; emayorga70@yahoo.com) is a good place to start. It is located in the Galería de Héroes y Mártires, listed above. Cenac Spanish School (tel. 505/2713-2025; www.spanishschoolcenac.com) offers homestays and intensive courses. It is located on the Panamericana, close to Calle 7a SE. Hijos del Maíz (tel. 505/2713-4819; www.hijosdelmaiz.net) is a community-based initiative that offers homestays in a village called El Lagartillo, 1 hour by bus from Estelí.

Fast Facts

Banks -- There are three banks situated on the corner 1 block west and 1 block south of the plaza, including Bancentro, 2 1/2 blocks south of the plaza on Avenida Principal (tel. 505/2713-6549). There is an ATM located at Texaco Starmart, 5 blocks north of the soccer stadium. Money-changers operate along Avenida Principal.

Emergencies -- In case of emergencies, dial tel. 101. For other matters, call the police station at tel. 505/2713-2615.

Hospital -- El Hospital Regional de Estelí (tel. 505/2713-6300) is south of the city on the road to Managua.

Internet -- A number of Internet cafes are located north of the plaza. All charge approximately C38 an hour and are open all day every day. You might try @Gnica, which is 1 block south of the southwest corner of the plaza. The main Enitel office is 1 block east of the post office (tel. 505/2713-2222). It's open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 5pm.

Money Matters -- Money transfers can be arranged at the Western Union outlet (tel. 505/2713-5046), which is 60m (197 ft.) south of the store Super Las Segovias. Hotel El Mesón, 1 block north of the plaza (tel. 505/2713-2655), is one of the few places in the region that will change traveler's checks.

Pharmacy -- Pharmacia Corea, 1 block north of the market (tel. 505/2713-2609), offers mail services and money transfers, in addition to stocking pharmaceutical goods.

Post Office -- The main post office, Correos de Nicaragua Estelí, is at the junction with Calle Transversal and Avenida Central (tel. 505/2713-2085).

Getting Around

The city center is tucked between the Río Estelí and the Pan-American Highway, and is easily explored on foot. The commercial heart is based around the intersecting streets of Calle Transversal and Avenida Principal (also known as Av. Central). There is a street-numbering system based around this axis, but it is typically ignored. Most everything is a few blocks from the Plaza or the Texaco station.

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