Managua, Nicaragua

October 2008 - Arrival and Departure information

I arrived at noon from Panama, and the lines for immigration were short and quick.  The airport is rather new, so it's clean and reasonably efficient.  Bags arrived promptly.  Easy hand off of the customs form and no check of your luggage tag on the way out.  The crowds outside the exit are intimidating, so it is a good idea to have the hotel or a driver meet you.  The hotel drivers are easy to find, they are quite vocal.  The trip to the hotel is about 30 minutes in normal traffic, but if it's raining things slow down considerably.

Departure - arrive not less than 1.5 hours ahead, even if you are leaving early morning.  There is a long line to check in for economy class and there are TWO passport checks before you go through security.  Be sure to complete the departure form before you check in for the flight.  There are only two lines for check in, so it can take a while!  There are no immigrations booths on the way out.  Once you are through security, Continental Airlines also has its own baggage check process for every passenger.  The departure lounge has one coffee shop and several large duty free shops, a few small kiosks with jewelry and cigars, etc.  At 6 AM it was not very crowded but most of the shops were still closed.  There is also a pharmacy - that is pretty unusual in my experience!  All in all, not bad for a small developing country airport!