Managua - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Everyone will tell you that you have to bring/buy an SUV, but unless you're an avid hiker/surfer it isn't necessary. I have a small sedan and I do just fine. Slow and steady sometimes, but I get there! - Dec 2021
Almost everyone here drives an SUV. You can get by with a sedan in Managua during the dry season, but the rainy season is another story. Dirt roads are everywhere outside the city, and the rainy season turns them into mud. The few asphalt roads are riddled with deep potholes. Toyota and Honda are a safe bet. - Jun 2020
Toyota or Hyundai because it is easier and more affordable to get parts (and therefore easier to sell when you depart). I recommend a small SUV for the clearance. Four wheel drive is not necessary, but I wish we had it just for the trip up the Mombacho volcano. - Apr 2018
Certain places are inaccessible without an SUV due to the dirt roads, especially in the rainy season. - Mar 2012
4x4 or just an SUV is best. We have many pot holes (really large ones).Traveling to the beach alot of roads are just dirt. - Mar 2011
You definitely need a good SUV with high clearance due to large potholes and 6-7 inch speed bumps. During the rainy season, streets get muddy/flooded and difficult to navigate. Outside Managua, most of the secondary roads are not paved. Gasoline is quite expensive. - Apr 2009
If you want to reach the beautiful beach areas of the country, it's best to have a 4-wheel drive. Dealers of known American and Asian brand cars are represented. Carjacking is not a problem here. - Mar 2008
There are dealers for Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Mazda. Most U.S. families have an SUV. - Feb 2008
