Shopping in Managua

Centro Deportivo Garsa In the Alta Gracia Barrio, call 266-7248 for directions. Offers the best selection for any type of sport/play, such as basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, badminton, frisbee, ping pong, etc. They also have a small selection of board games.

Walker Nicaragua In the Alta Mira Barrio, call 278-1050 or sales@ameriwalker.com for directions. Fairly large computer store with new, used and refurbished products. They offer a large printer ink selection, some video and camera products, and cases full of miscellaneous computer parts that made my computer-geek husband's mouth water. They also have a few camera lenses for sale.

Leon From main street in Ciudad Jardin, go 1 block south of the BDF bank and 1/2 block east. The store is a house on the right hand side of the road. 249-4284. Good selection, quality and best prices on desk chairs in Managua. Secretary style chair for $28, Executive style for $50.

Wine Store Camino de Oriente Km 5 Carretera Masaya. Huge selection of wines from all over the world. They also offer liquors and a small beer selection.

Ayre Km 4 Carretera Masaya, across from BanPro bank. 278-3516 Fridges, freezers, washing machines, microwaves and parts. They offer York, Tecumseh and Copeland, among others.

Ferreteria Richardson Km 4 Carretera Norte. 249-2308. Offers a small, but good quality selection of tools. It's the only place we found a spoke shave, also called a diablito in Nicaragua.

Economart 1/2 block north of the Gueguense Rotunda (near Pricesmart in the northwest part of Managua). 268-3499 or aarce@economart.com.ni. Commercial kitchen products from large ovens to a quality selection of silverware and glasses. They also have woks, cutting boards, mixing bowls, tongs, ladles, and much more.

Sinsa Home Center 2.5 blocks west of the Gueguense Rotunda. 266-9970. One of the more modern stores for home accessories. Recently remodeled, it kinda feels like you just walked into Target. Some prices are very high, but some good bargains can be found. They've got a big selection of home decor items and some nice toys for the kitchen. They've also offer some car care items, and recently added a small hardware section with a few power tools.

Instituto Nicaraguense de Estudios Territoriales (Ineter) Located across the street from the Immigration building in Managua. Great selection of maps of Nicaragua, including topographical, agricultural, political, rainfall, departmental, etc.

Nuevo Carnic Km 10.5 Carrtera Norte. Look for the white sign with a red cow silhouette, turn down this road, and go to the end. Public sales is located on the right, where you can place your order, pay, then pick it up around the corner. Besides all the local cuts of beef, they also offer Ultimate Line, which are stateside cuts. Ribeye steaks are less than $2 per pound. 10am is when we've consistently encountered the shortest lines. NEVER go on a Friday morning as that's when all the local restaurants are stocking up for the weekend, and you'll be there for hours.

Distribuidora Familiar Behind the huge BAC building at Km 4.5 Carretera Masaya. Offers a nice selection of food items not found elsewhere in Managua. It's the only place I've come across Mott's applesauce and canned lump crab meat.

Stop N Go In the Gourmet Mirador shopping center at Km 8 Carretera Masaya. Offers specialty products not found elsewhere in the city, such as Heineken Dark and Negro Modelo beers, Hershey's chocolate syrup, Campbell's soups, Paul Prodhomme seasonings, a large selection of dried herbs for the kitchen, specialty pastas, and hazelnut and walnut oils.