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Travel to Esteli

Submitted by rholmes on Sat, 2008/06/21 - 19:32.
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From what I gather, in a private car, you can get from Managua to Esteli in about 2 hours or so. Leon to Esteli looks shorter but what is the road like, and how long in the car? Advice welcome: alternate routes, buses, places to stop on the way?

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Road to Esteli

Submitted by Nicaman on Tue, 2008/06/24 - 13:56.

I guess the road from Managua to Esteli is in the eye of the beholder. I personally like it and have had some good experiences driving it. I will tell you about one beautiful experience I had at the end of this. I have a house just before you get to Esteli in the mountains in Santa Cruz so I've on the road since about 2002.

It takes about 2 hours if you don’t stop. The road is pretty good compared to other roads in Nicaragua. There are a few pot holes but they keep it in pretty good condition. I've been late a few times going to the airport and have done 70+mph but I would not recommend this unless you are familiar with the road. I usually do this about sunrise and there is no traffic. Be very careful if you have to drive at night (drunks, animals, etc.).

Also be careful about 1/2 hr out of Sebaco when you hit the mountains. It starts getting steep, narrow and winding and there are a lot of accidents. I think some else commented about this. Sometimes big trucks will lose there brakes and go off the side and take other cars with them so use caution here and don't try passing unless you are very very sure what is coming around the next bend. If you keep going past Esteli toward Ocatal on the Pan American highway you can go all the way to the boarder of Honduras. The road is a little better on this stretch.

In addition to the other comments about San Jacinto and Sebaco there is the town of the famous Nicaraguan poet Dario. Not much to see here other than the quaint town center unless there is a horse show going which are pretty good (I met and became friends with my friend Serigo here). I have seen two demonstrations on the road near Sebaco in the last 6 years. One time was when a couple hundred poor people camped along both sides of the road hoping to get some land concessions from the government. The other time was before the presidential elections when I believe the Sandinistas blocked the road for some reason or the other. This should be no problem now.

Now to my experience. One day we rented a truck to go to Managua and pick up some things. The driver, my wife and her mother were in the cab and I was in the back of the open truck. It was very warm and there was a full moon and we left about sunset. I also had a 6 pack of Victoria (Nica beer) with me. The full moon lit up the country side and you could clearly see everything although it was “night time.” It was beautiful watching everything go by that night with the full moon, warm air and Victoria’s! Ah life’s little pleasures!

mga to esteli

Submitted by Billy Bob on Sun, 2008/06/22 - 11:24.

Alternate route; by air to europe, asia, to California and down.

Siteseeing: Degraded tropical dry forest (which at least looks green this time of year), nondescript towns, poor cel service, and one of the most dangerous things you can do in Nic: ride on the Panam. There is a historical site for the battle of San Jacinto just off the Panam if you can find directions and a botanical garden with a big sign that is closed to the public. Mornings you can check out the veggie market in Sebaco. I´, m told the Chinese restaurant on the nortern outskirts of sebaco is very good, but they were closed for repairs we we went.

Yes 2 hours by car with gas stations at Sebaco. Be especially careful on the mountainous sections as this is where most of the accidents occur.

Expresso bus from Mayoreo bus station: about 60 cords and 2 hours to Esteli, quite comfortable (uusually) if you get to the bus station about 20 minutes early and get a ticket with a seat number.

road :adequate, but no passing lanes, etc drivers: inadequate. Be especially careful of Sundays, which are drunk days in the north.

Bus Schedules

Submitted by dixietraveller on Sat, 2008/06/21 - 21:51.

For inter-city bus schedules in Nicaragua [in English, español, Deutsch, italiano, and français], go to http://horariodebuses.com/ni/

O quantum est in rebus inane! / A palabras necias, oídos sordos.

I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I'm in the wrong building. - Peanuts (Charles M. Schulz)

The road sucks

Submitted by fyl on Sat, 2008/06/21 - 21:13.

I don't remember the time but the road is very sucky and there is nothing/nowhere worth stopping. My advice? Take a bus.