$50–100

Increasingly, this is the kind of money you need to spend in Managua [1] to get comfort, safety, and peace of mind, and travelers are increasingly willing to do so. This price category has more options than we can print. For this kind of money, expect hot water, cable TV, telephone, minibar, Internet, and probably airport pickup. Many of these hotels have a small pool, which you will appreciate in Managuan heat.

Hotel Pyramide (Reparto San Juan, del Gimnasio Hercules one block south, one east, 2.5 south, tel. 505/2278-0687, pyramide [at] ibw [dot] com [dot] ni, www.lapyramidehotel.com [2], $75) gets consistently favorable reviews for the attentiveness of the owner, who will make sure you are comfortable as soon as you get to the airport. Good value for the money, but just a bit hard to get to the restaurants from here: The owner will help you get taxis.

In the same neighborhood, Hotel Brandt (Reparto San Juan, from the north side of Hercules gym one block east, tel. 505/2270-2114, www.brandtshotel.com.ni [3], $75) is clean, safe, and pretty, and has been in business a long time.

Hotel El Ritzo (from the Lacmiel, three blocks east, 25 meters south, tel. 505/2277-5616, hotelritzo [at] alianza [dot] com [dot] ni, www.hotelritzo.net [4], $65) is tastefully decorated, quiet, and gorgeous. (They’ve got a second hotel in Villa Fontana now, which is slightly less convenient.)

Another great option for good access to Carretera Masaya is Hotel El Almendro (from the Metrocentro rotunda, two blocks west, half block south, tel. 505 /2270-1260, www.hotelelalmendro.com [5], almendro [at] cablenet [dot] com [dot] ni, $64). You can walk relatively easily about two blocks to the Plaza Metrocentro shopping center and the rooms are great, though somewhat geared towards business travelers and long-stay guests (suites, kitchenettes, etc.). Guarded parking is available for your rental car and a little pool for dipping, with breakfast included.

In the quiet Bolonia neighborhood, Hotel Europeo (75 meters west of Canal 2, tel. 505/2268-4930 or 505/2268-4933, www.hoteleuropeo.com.ni [6], reserv [at] hoteleuropeo [dot] com [dot] ni, europeo [at] ibw [dot] com [dot] ni, $60) is a good choice with a well-liked pool in an attractive garden patio.

In the same neighborhood, Hotel Real Bolonia (from Plaza España 1.5 blocks north, across from the German Embassy, tel. 505/2266-8133, hotelreal [at] hotelreal [dot] com [dot] ni, $75) is on a more major street with easier access to restaurants but at the price of a bit more noise.

Hotel Mozonte (from the entrance to PriceSmart, 1.5 blocks north, across from the old French Embassy, tel. 505/2266-0686 or 505/8965-0855, www.hotelmozonte.com [7], info [at] hotelmozonte [dot] com, $60) has attractive, clean rooms, pleasant common and sitting areas, and a gorgeous pool. Have them pick you up at the airport.

Adjacent, the Hotel Villa Americana B&B (tel. 505/2278-6446 or 505/2267-5005, villamer [at] cablenet [dot] com [dot] ni, $68) is much less charming but safer-looking due to better lighting and a guard at the front door. Breakfast is included.

A convenient place to stay if you have an early flight is the Best Western Las Mercedes (tel. 505/2263-1011, $85), directly across from the airport. Decompress on the last night before your flight in a decent restaurant or with the mixed bag of travelers and diplomats lounging by the pool.