Restaurants, particularly in Managua, serve a variety of cooking styles including Chinese, French, Italian, Latin American and Spanish.

Things to know: There are a number of cheap but good restaurants/bars (coreders) where beer, often the cheap local brand, is available. At the other end of the scale, the 4- and 5-star hotels have sophisticated restaurant/bars with a choice of international cuisine and beverages.

National specialities:
• Gallopinto (fried rice and pinto beans).
• Mondongo (tripe soup).
• Picadillo (shredded beef dish).
• Ajiaco (pork and tortilla dish).
• Rosquillas (a type of cheese and cornmeal biscuit).

National drinks:
• Fresh tropical fruit juice.
• Chicha de maíz and de jengibre (fermented corn or ginger drink).
• Tiste (corn and cocoa drink).

Tipping: 10 to 15% is customary in hotels and restaurants. This is sometimes included in the bill.

The Zona Rosa in Managua is the up-and-coming district to party in, with bars, restaurants, clubs and a casino. The Rubén Darío National Theatre hosts regular concerts, exhibitions and cultural performances. Managua also has several cinemas.

Elsewhere, there's a variety of nightlife on offer, from lively beachside bars to busy city nightclubs.

Local items include goldwork, hand-carved wood, embroidery, shoes and paintings. Traditional crafts are available, particularly in Masaya, at the handicrafts market. There are several shopping malls in Managua, and markets selling everything from clothes to food to household goods. Try Mercado Huembes or Mercado Oriental, Nicaragua's biggest market.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1800.