For a little bit of culture and history in Nicaragua, drop the impressive National Palace, which houses the National Museum, as well as the National Archive and the National Library.

The artifacts in the National Museum range from prehistorical bones and ceramics, some of which are over 4000 years, to modern sculptures and paintings.

There is also a whole room dedicated to National History, which gives an overview of the historic and current geological situation in Nicaragua. All together there are nine rooms with permanent and temporary exhibitions, including the Paleontology Room, the room of pre-Columbian ceramics, a Traditional Art Room, a room of Latin American paintings, a Metate Room, a Room for Friends and Supporters of Art and Culture, the Güegüense Room, and the Rodrigo Peñalba room, which features contemporary national and regional art exhibits that last for 1–3 months.

I personally enjoy seeing the up and coming artists featured in the Rodrigo Peñalba room, although the Traditional Art room also has an interesting appeal for those wishing to understand the traditional and contemporary art of Nicaragua.

The National Palace itself is a part of Nicaragua’s history. It was built in 1935 by President Juan Bautista Sacasa and served for over 50 years as a government building. During the revolution the building was taken by the Sandinistas.

If you want to take a trip to the National Palace and peruse the museum you can do so Monday to Friday from 8 am – 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is US $2 for foreigners and C $12 for Nicaraguans. For that price you not only get to wander around for as long as you like, you also receive a guided tour; bilingual guides are available.

So, during your days in Managua, why not take a stop in at the National Palace. You’ll get a better feel for the country and its people.

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