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Pre-Columbian Museum of Chagüitillo

Museo Precolombino de Chagüitillo (Villa Chagüitillo, Km 107 carretera a Matagalpa) – located 1 ½ hours northeast of Managua, this museum was opened in 2005, since several archeological sites were found here (containing hundreds of petroglyphs and other ancient objects). Along with such pre-Columbian objects displayed here, the museum also provides interesting information about the different indigenous groups that lived in Nicaragua and in this area in particular. Admission: US$1 per person (guided tours for US$4 per person).

Museo Casa Hacienda San Jacinto (Km 39 ½ Carretera Norte, Acceso Hacienda-Museo San Jacinto, Tipitapa) – this museum is located about an hours northeast of Managua. For those interested in Nicaraguan history, this was the site of the Battle of San Jacinto in September 14, 1856 between Nicaraguan forces, and mercenaries led by American solider of fortune, William Walker (who established a short-lived regime in Managua that year – going as far as enacting slavery in the country, and making English an official language). This battle pushed Walker out of the country, and returned the country to local rule. To this day, Nicaraguans celebrate the victory of the expulsion of William Walker from their country.

The museum features photos & artifacts from that period, and celebrates some of the Nicaraguan heroes of that conflict. The structure that houses this museum is the typical haciendas that existed in the country during the 19th century. Admission: C$10 (adult), C$5 (teenagers), C$2 (students with ID). Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Tuesday – Sunday).

Heroes and Martyrs Museum

Heroes and Martyrs Museum (half a block south of the cathedral, Estelí) – this museum, found in the tobacco-growing town of Estelí (located 2 ½ hours north of Managua), is of particular interest to those curious about the Sandinista revolution. The museum is small but has many photographs, newspaper articles, and personal stories. It is staffed by relatives of former Sandinista rebels who died in combat. Free admission. Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (Monday – Friday).

Masaya Volcano National Park

Masaya Volcano National Park (Km 23, highway to Masaya) – just 30 minutes southeast of Managua is this national park that contains two volcanoes and five craters. It is part of the Central American Volcanic Belt (along with the Tacaná volcano in Guatemala and Irazú in Costa Rica). Masaya shows that its volcanoes are still active when they emit large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas. Interestingly, visitors can actually drive to the rim of these volcanoes. Visitors can peek over the edge at the Masaya Volcano, and look into the impressive crater, which is continuously emitting smoke and sulfur gases. From this central crater it is possible to start hiking to other craters or viewpoints.

Another spectacular activity is to undertake a nocturnal tour. The Masaya Volcano National Park offers this tour every day from 5PM until around 7.30-8PM. The tour starts right before sunset, with a visit to the cross (La Cruz de Bobadilla) overlooking the volcano and the surroundings. The park is also inhabited by many different kinds of animals. The park’s wildlife includes coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer, iguanas, and monkeys.

Admission: C$100 (foreigners), C$30 (Nicaraguans). Night tour: US$10 per person. Hours: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm (regular visits); Evening tours conducted from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Monument to the Soldier

Monumento al Soldado (Av. Bolívar, Barrio Santo Domingo, Managua) — This statue is one of the city’s few remaining monuments to the first Sandinista era and it shows a muscular, shirtless soldier, with a Russian rifle in his raised arm and a pick ax in the other. The plaque at its base summarizes the inspiration for its design: “Only workers and campesinos will march to the end.”

Museum of the Literacy Crusade (Universidad Centroamericana, Pista de la Resistencia, Managua) – this museum is dedicated to the literacy campaign that was launched by the Nicaraguan government when it was under Sandinista rule in 1980. That campaign was most relevant in the country’s vast rural regions (where illiteracy was as high as 90% at the time). The campaign resulted in some 400,000 people learning to read and write to the extent that they were able to pass a grade 3 level exam. Fortunately for the Sandinistas, the literacy campaign was completed just before the launch of the “Contra” war in 1981 (which would have rendered such efforts very difficult, if not impossible, since much of the fighting took place in the countryside and
In provincial towns).

El Coyotepe Fortress

El Coyotepe Fortress (km. 28 Carretera Masaya) – located just 30 minutes southeast of Managua, then-Nicaraguan president Zelaya built this fortress in 1893 to ward off potential invaders (particularly from USA – at a time when financial interests were considering building a canal similar to the Panama Canal). This facility ended up being used by the Somoza regime as a prison for political enemies. The fortress is now owned by the Boy Scouts (who use it to hold their annual jamborees). They also conduct tours of the fortress. Visitors can use the foretress’ vantage points to see the panoramic views of the city of Masaya, its lagoon, the Masaya volcano, Lake Managua & Lake Nicaragua, and the Mombacho volcano. Admission: US$2 (foreigners), C$10 (Nicaraguans). A guided tour is included with the fee. Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily.

Batahola Norte Cultural Center

Centro Cultural Batahola Norte (Batahola Norte, from the old American Embassy, 1 block West, 3 block North, 1 block West, Managua) – this is a community center in Managua that offers music and art classes to children, scholarships to the college bound, practical skills training for under and unemployed adults, and a community library. It is a cultural oasis for the community. If you are interested in discover a sample of the Nicaraguan muralism, in assisting to the musical, singing and dancing performances, as well as having the opportunity to spend hours reading a variety of books, this is a worthy destination. Admission: donations welcome. Hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm (weekdays), 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Saturdays).

Roberto Incer Barquero Library

Biblioteca Roberto Incer Barquero (Semáforos del 7 Sur, 300 metros al Este, Managua) – this library is located next to the Central Bank of Nicaragua (the heart of Managua) and it is designated to promote Nicaraguan culture. It has 67,000 books, free internet, a newspaper archive where you can borrow newspapers and magazines, and all the economic information of the country’s Central Bank. Furthermore, the library offers a gallery in the same building, where famous Nicaraguan paintings as well as pieces from new, promising artists are continuously exhibited.

In the numismatic hall there is a permanent exhibition of Nicaraguan coins, bills, and memorial medals from throughout Nicaragua’s history. There is also an auditorium available for events of all types with audio facilities and a capacity of 160 people. Hours: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm (weekdays); 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Saturdays).

Acahualinca Footprints Museum

Acahualinca Footprints Museum (Iglesia Santa Ana 4 Calles al Oeste y 1 Calle al Norte, Barrio Acahualinca, Managua) – this museum (located in the Acahualinca district of west Managua) was established due to the discovery of the ancient footprints of Acahualinca — fossilized Paleo-Indian footprints made some 6,000 years ago (engraved in volcanic ash). In addition to the footprints, the museum also displays artifacts found in other localities around the country (such as mammoth footprints, pre-Columbian tools, a skull from León Viejo, and a small collection of pottery among other archaeological objects). Admission: 100 Cordobas. Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (weekdays), 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (weekends).