Nicaragua Travel Guide

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Cuisine

Restaurants, particularly in Managua, serve a variety of cooking styles including Chinese, French, Italian, Latin American and Spanish.

Things to know: There are a number of cheap but good restaurants/bars (coreders) where beer, often the cheap local brand, is available. At the other end of the scale, the 4- and 5-star hotels have sophisticated restaurant/bars with a choice of international cuisine and beverages.

National specialties:
• Gallopinto (fried rice and pinto beans).
• Mondongo (tripe soup).
• Picadillo (shredded beef dish).
• Ajiaco (pork and tortilla dish).
• Rosquillas (a type of cheese and cornmeal biscuit).

National drinks:
• Fresh tropical fruit juice.
• Chicha de maíz and de jengibre (fermented corn or ginger drink).
• Tiste (corn and cocoa drink).

Tipping: 10 to 15% is customary in hotels and restaurants. This is sometimes included in the bill.

Nightlife

The Zona Rosa in Managua is the up-and-coming district to party in, with bars, restaurants, clubs and a casino. The Rubén Darío National Theater hosts regular concerts, exhibitions and cultural performances. Managua also has several cinemas. Elsewhere, there's a variety of nightlife on offer, from lively beachside bars to busy city nightclubs.