Planning a trip to Masaya
Visitor Information
Intur (tel. 505/2522-7615) is inside the Mercado Viejo and offers good maps and information regarding workshops in the surrounding area. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5pm, and on Saturday from 8am to 12:30pm. The website www.conozcamasaya.com is entirely in Spanish but has lots of photos that catch the color and creativity of the town's heritage.
Fast Facts
ATMs and Banks -- There are plenty of ATMs conveniently located within the Mercado Viejo (Old Market). Banpro (tel. 505/2522-7366) is on the southwestern corner of the market, as is Bancentro (tel. 505/2522-4337). Banco de América Central changes traveler's checks and is located 1 block north of the market. You will also find many street money-changers in this area.
Emergencies -- Dial tel. 118 for all emergencies. The city's police station (tel. 505/2522-4222) is a half-block north of the Old Market.
Hospital -- The main hospital (tel. 505/2522-2778) is on the main road to Granada.
Internet -- There are several Internet cafes on the south side of the park. Cablenet Café (no phone) is opposite the Hotel Regis and is open daily from 8am to 10pm, except Sunday, when it closes at 3pm.
Post Office -- A post office is inside the Mercado Viejo, as is a DHL counter.
Getting There
By Bus
From Managua, take any southbound bus from the Mercado Huembes. You'll be dropped off at Masaya's Mercado Municipal, on the western side of the city. The journey takes 1 hour and costs C20. Another departure point in Managua is the UCA, from where microbuses leave every 20 minutes, dropping passengers off at Parque San Miguel, 1 block east of the Mercado Viejo. The ride takes 45 minutes and costs C20.
From Granada, take any Managua-bound bus from COGRAN, 1 1/2 blocks southwest of the plaza, or one of the Masaya expresos that leave from behind the Palé Supermarket. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs C20. The Managua bus drops you off at the Esso station close to the town entrance, from which the town plaza is a 20 minute walk. The Masaya expreso lets passengers off at Masaya's Mercado Municipal. The Mercado is also the main departure point when you are leaving Masaya.
By Taxi/Shuttle
Paxeos, beside the cathedral in Granada (tel. 505/2552-8291; www.paxeos.com), can organize private and shared transfers to and from Masaya. The trip to Granada costs between C570 and C860, depending on group size.
Getting Around
A car is not necessary in the city but definitely worthwhile if you want to explore the surrounding area. Budget (tel. 505/2278-9504; www.budget.com.ni) has an office at Km 28 Carretera Masaya, Managua. Hotel Ivania's is the only place in town that rents cars. Alternatively, you might hire a taxi for the day so you can sit back, relax, and not get lost. A car and driver for the day in this area should cost approximately C1,500.
