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North AmericaNicaraguaManagua Department

Managua

Managua Department, Nicaragua · North America

About Managua

Managua is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Ciudad Sandino, 19km from Masaya Volcano.

Managua is a city located in Managua Department, Nicaragua. With a population of 973,087, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Managua sits in Nicaragua. It's in the America/Managua time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Managua to your route.

About Managua

Managua (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈnaɣwa]) is the capital and largest city of Nicaragua, and one of the largest cities in Central America. Located on the shores of Lake Managua, the city had an estimated population of 1,055,247 as of 2020, and a population of 1,401,687 in its metropolitan area. The city also serves

Read more as the seat of Managua Department. Founded in 1819, Managua became the national capital in 1852. It was a small fishing village before then. The city underwent a rapid expansion and urbanization between 1842 and 1930, leading it to become one of the most developed cities in Central America. Several earthquakes have affected the city's growth, especially the 1931 earthquake and the 1972 earthquake, but the city has been rebuilt several times. Today, the city is a major economic hub for both the country and Central America.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Managua

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Managua?

Managua offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Managua?

Plan your road trip to Managua with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Managua as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Managua located?

Managua is located in Managua Department, Nicaragua, North America. The coordinates are 12.1328 latitude, -86.2504 longitude.

What is the population of Managua?

Managua has a population of approximately 973,087 people, making it a city in Nicaragua.

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Quick Information

Population
973,087
Continent
North America
Country
Nicaragua
Region
Managua Department
Timezone
America/Managua
Coordinates
12.1328, -86.2504

Tags

North AmericaNicaraguaManagua DepartmentCity

Worth the detour from Managua

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Masaya Volcano

One of the few volcanoes in the world where you can peer directly into an active lava lake from the crater rim, glowing spectacularly at night.

19 km · about 20 min drive

natural wonder

Apoyo Lagoon

A 23,000-year-old caldera lake between Granada and Masaya, 175 m deep and ringed by forest, with six cichlid species found nowhere else. The crater-rim road offers the classic overlook before the descent to the shore.

34 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Granada, Nicaragua

One of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas with colorful Spanish architecture, a lakefront, and views of Mombacho Volcano.

39 km · about 45 min drive

ancient ruins

Ruins of León Viejo

The 1524 original León, buried by volcanic ash and abandoned in 1610: the only 16th-century colonial city in the Americas never rebuilt over, so its street plan survives intact beneath Momotombo volcano.

50 km · about 55 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Managua.

Ciudad Sandino

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

11 km awayPop. 50,000

Ticuantepe

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

13 km awayPop. 13,209

El Crucero

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

17 km awayPop. 16,469

Tipitapa

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

18 km awayPop. 50,000

Nindirí

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

20 km awayPop. 7,073

Mateare

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

22 km awayPop. 61,234

La Concepción

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

23 km awayPop. 6,946

Masaya

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

24 km awayPop. 130,113

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence