Shopping in Esteli

Estelí is "the big city" for people in the region. Sure, most towns have the assortment of tiendas with junk imported from China and such. But, if you really need something, this is where you shop.

Auto Parts

There are many auto parts places on the Pan American highway. For the most part, you can just walk from store to store and see what makes sense for you. Here are the exceptions to that rule.

San Cristobol West side, 2 blocks north of the Shell. They seen to be the most likly to "have it" for your old Toyota or anything else popular in the area. Decent prices.

Multirepuestos About 3 blocks south of "Los Bancos". Fairly large store with air compressors, generators, drill presses, ... For auto parts they have lots of suspension parts, bearings, fuses, lights, ...

Briones About 3 blocks south of El Parque on Aveneda Central. More parts for your old Toyota and such.

Hardware

Much like auto parts, there are lots of hardware stores. Here are ones that stand out.

EPCA 1/2 block north of San Cristobol on the Pan American. This is a tiny store where the staff are knowledgable women and, well, they tend to have everything. Amazing assortment of nuts, bolts, screws and such, hand and power tools, and even some auto parts.

La Fe 1/2 block south of Los Bancos on the east side. Small store that has a decent selection of electrical supplies and other hardware items not found in many stores.

Briones In the same building as the auto parts store but separate. Reasonable selection of metric and SAE bolts and some typical stuff for the house.

The Blue and Green Boxes Not their name but there are two stores just north of Petronic El Carmen--the first looks like a blue box, the next a green box. Electrical, plumbing, hand tools and, in the Blue Box, cordless phones, microwaves and lots of other strange stuff. If the Blue Box doesn't have it, the owner is very willing to suggest where you might find it.

Building Materials

Lots of choices, many on the Pan Am. What they have and what they cost varies so, for big purchases, to some shopping.

Impulsadora del Norte tended to have the best prices on cement and other building materials. Two locations, one on the Pan Am and the other on a back street about 2 blocks north and two blocks east of El Parque.