Published by Don MacPhee — 3 years ago. Managua is a large sprawling messy city with convoluted roads given its unorganized chaotic development. It does have a couple of large modern shopping malls and it is the principal city in Nicaragua for obtaining imported items if they are to be found in the country at all.
It also houses on the outskirts near the airport the country's top private hospital built by their billionaire, Pellas and has what is considered the top burn unit in Central America and is associated with US John Hopkins hospital. The devastating earthquake that hit the capital in the late nineties has left the Cathedral a ruin and little architecture of interest. An two hour bus tour will suffice.
It is a dangerous city from the point of view of crime.. A university friend of mine was robbed twice this semester.. University accommodation should be sought in the so-called safer districts.. Going out to the clubs at night should only be in company of others for some degree of safety and by taxi or private vehicle not on foot. Not a student so no comment. There are however many students given the university and the many private colleges.
The local currency is tied to the US dollar so for Canadians and Europeans the country is that much more expensive now given the exchange rate. Takes some searching but plenty exists. However what local students may consider adequate or even good is far below the standards of Western developed country accommodation..
Local houses and student accommodation typically has a tin roof with no insulation so it heats up like an oven during the day and retains heat into the night. Likewise showers in these local houses as well as toilets can be outside structures and norm is no such thing as hot water too expensive and in any case a shower in lukewarm water is wonderful in a house where the temperature inside is over 40 degrees. The university has a notice board and it is useful to put a notice on arrival that you are searching for accommodation Food in local restaurants is typical Nicaraguan Unfortunately modern dietary concepts have not reached the general public so that most of the food is fried in oil.
