Nicaragua » Entertainment in Managua

Managua features many bars, nightclubs, casinos, theaters and cinemas. Compared to western prices, alcoholic beverages, theatre visits and cinema tickets are relatively cheap. There are cinemas in all major shopping centers; screening both English- and Spanish-language films. Foreign embassies in Managua also sponsor film festivals. Nicaraguans have a strong interest in baseball. Beginning in the late 1990s and early 2000, casinos have also become a somewhat popular attraction for wealthier Nicaraguans and foreign visitors. Salsa dancing is a national pastime. Nightclubs and bars abound in Managua; the most popular area is the so-called "Zona Hippos" behind the Hilton hotel near Metrocentro.

The fiestas are a time of joy and fun and usually begin with a parade wherein a statue of the saint is displayed. Traditional dances, plays and ceremonies can also be part of these festivities. Rockets and firecrackers are exploded and drinking and feasting add to the merriment. The public is kept entertained by musicians and clowns and the festivities only die down in the early hours of daylight the following morning.