Poverty and Beauty in Republica de Nicaragua.

The beauty of this country is unbelievable! With all of the towering mountains, rainforests, lakes and volcano, it has everything that any tropical destination could ask for.

The markets at Masaya. Masaya is about a 45 minute drive from the capital city Managua, is a drawcard for many tourists. Many local crafts and souvenirs can be purchased for a really low price.

Volcanoes. There are two main volcanoes that are popular in Nicaragua. Both are within a 90 drive of the capital city.
Mombacho is a more tropical volcano, and is extinct, is covered in a dense rainforest. It also features a cnopy tour which has 17 ziplines that weaves through the forest. For about per person this is an excellent way to spend a few hours. Masaya is an active volcano about 20 minutes from the city of Masaya. Although it has not erupted in almost 200 years, it is quite active and is smoking. Other tourists have stated that they have seen lava in the volcano.

The Mountains. There are many great tourist area near the pacific coast, but the mountains of Nicaragua which run through the center of the country are just magnificent. Most of the mountain terrain is untouched, and this makes them more spectacular. As you go higher into the mountains you will see shacks, villages, and high altitude crops including coffee, pineapples, and bananas.

Quick Tips:

Don't Drive. The drivers in this country are crazy and accidents are common. If you are driving and are involved in an accident you may be put in jail for at least 24 hours.

Go as part of a group, and be part of an organized tour. Public transportation although plentiful is very crowded and very basic. Most bus services use very brightly decorated school buses.

Take plenty of small unmarked U.S bills to go shopping. If you bills are marked they will not be accepted. The local currency, the cordoba may not be readily exchanged when you get home so its best to take U.S dollars. Use and 's as although most merchants will take U.S dollars you will get your change in the local currency.

Best Way To Get Around:

There are several tour companies that cater for international tourists. They will take care of you, put you in nice accomodations and make sure you get safe quality meals.

If you want to take public transportation there is plenty of bus services between the main cities. The destinations are splashed on the front, side and rear of the bus so there is little chance of getting on the wrong bus. Fares average between -9 U.S dollars. Be warned however that the buses have no bathrooms, air-conditioning, will be very crowded and have very little legroom.

Introduction

From the time you enter the front doors, you can feel the tropical setting of the hotel. The location is perfect after a long flight into Managua, and has the amenities you desire. The hotel is extensively landscaped with flowers, trees, and has a tropical resort feel.

Location
The hotel is located directly across the street from Managua airport. It is no more than 400 feet from the front door of the airport. Aircraft noise is not an issue either as the airport shuts down between 9pm and 7am, so you can get a good night rest.

Price
The average price per night is somewhere between $70-$100 depending on the season. It tends to be a little cheaper than the Hilton and Holiday Inn downtown.

Rooms
The rooms are clean and serve their purpose well. Most rooms have hot water, a feature that should not be taken for granted in Nicaragua. The beds are not the most comfortable and tend to sag occasionally but I have never had a bad night's rest here. If you are looking for a room with the basic amenities you will be satisfied, if you want a 4 star hotel with all the perks then this may not be for you.

The rooms come in many styles. As well as you standard Queen or two double setup there are plenty of rooms that have 3 single beds which are perfect for mission trips or larger families.

Hotel Amenities
The Best Western Las Mercedes has many on site amenities to help make your stay complete.
* The front desk staff are very friendly and helpful and most understand English.
* The restaurant has a variety of food including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and fruit platters.
* Two pools which are landscaped. The main pool is adjacent to the restaurant and bar.
* The bar has a variety of beverages. I recommend the local brew "Victoria" as it is an excellent beer.
* The hotel also has a gift shop, barber, meeting rooms, and exercise rooms.

Recommendations
The hotel is excellent for groups and for those arriving late or departing early from Managua airport. Although it may lack some of the flair or amenities of some of the bigger hotels downtown it provides adequate rest and relaxation in close proximity to the airport.

Booking Tips
When booking your room shop around at several websites as the price can vary greatly. Some suggest calling the hotel directly but calls to Nicaragua aren't cheap so the cost savings may be eaten up by your phone provider.