Experience the best of Managua

Managua spreads along the south shore of Lake Managua, below a line of volcanic hills, in the Pacific lowlands of Nicaragua. Earthquakes in 1931 and 1972 damaged the old centre, and the shell of the old cathedral still stands near the lakefront, beside the National Palace, which now houses a museum. The modern Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, topped with many small domes, stands nearby.

Loma de Tiscapa, a hill over a crater lagoon, has a large silhouette of Sandino and views over the city, and the Huellas de Acahualinca preserve human footprints left in volcanic mud thousands of years ago. Masaya Volcano National Park, a short drive south-east, has a crater that sometimes glows with lava, and Laguna de Apoyo is a deep crater lake good for swimming. The colonial cities of Granada and León are within reach.

Gallo pinto, rice and beans fried together, nacatamal, a large steamed corn-dough parcel of pork and vegetables traditionally eaten on weekend mornings, and fritanga, grilled meat from street stalls, make up the local table. The heat lasts all year, with a dry season from November to April and rain from May to October. Pinolillo, a drink of ground corn and cacao, is the cooling answer.