Managua

Last week a elderly friend and I traveled to Managua, Nicaragua for a visa run from Costa Rica. I have never been and my friend doesn’t speak Spanish and is too old to make the trip by himself. Well we make our way by bus to Granada, arriving in the early evening. We got a taxi, but driver claimed to know the hotel, but didn’t, and could not read a map. Finally, I told him to take us to the Park Central and I found the hotel from there. Before you go with any taxi, ALWAYS have an agreed price. Before you flag a taxi, ask around with other travelers, trusted hotel staff, and locals if necessary about what would be a fair price. Most people with let you know. Don’t trust the taxi drivers; they are wanting to make as much money as they can off you and will tell you anything. Don’t expect them to speak any English. Say the fare should be no more than C$60; this is how I handle the negotiations but in Spanish: Me: “How much to go to TansNica bus station?” (or wherever) Driver: “C$100 it’s far” (or some other bull shit) Me: “I am not stupid, a Nica friend tells me no more than C$60” (and shut up) Driver: “ahh, No” or “C$80” (or really anything else) Me: “Good luck my friend and good bye” (there is only about a dozen more taxi there) This has happened many, many times and every single time the drivers has accepted my offer, just understand that he is poor and only trying to make a living. Just be fair and reasonable. We took the Express bus to Managua the next morning. It was C$20 (about a dollar). When we got to bus station in Managua, we were swamped by taxi drivers. We got a taxi and off we were to the hotel (guesthouse). On the way the driver tried to convince us to go to another hotel, DON’T do that. We didn’t because the drivers are paid a commission by the hotels for bringing customers, you will pay more and who knows what you will get. Well I found Managua to be extremely friendly. Many Nica’s with stare at you. Please don’t take this personal, simply say “Hola amiga(amigo) como estas?”. If they try to sell you something, simply say “No, gracias” or shake you head NO. Do this only once, do not engage in any conversation. If they keep on, just shake your head and ignore them, they will leave you alone. Don’t be afraid to ask traveling questions to other travelers or others you feel you can trust. Most people will be happy to give you information. As far as the locals are concerned, trust to a point, remembering to ask yourself “Does this person stand to benefit in anyway?” I hope this helps with your travels to areas you are not familiar.