What's it like to drive in Granada, Nicaragua?
Janice Gallagher - Granada Property Services
Driving in Granada, Nicaragua is like being one of those small balls shooting out of a pinball machine. You dodge to the left to miss the wayward taxi cab and then quickly back to the right to avoid the herd of goats heading to pasture, and then to the left so not to collide with the four people riding the bike, going the wrong direction. So, do you get the picture? Unfortunately, most of the people driving have not had the experience nor the driving education required in the United...
Driving in Granada, Nicaragua is like being one of those small balls shooting out of a pinball machine. You dodge to the left to miss the wayward taxi cab and then quickly back to the right to avoid the herd of goats heading to pasture, and then to the left so not to collide with the four people riding the bike, going the wrong direction. So, do you get the picture? Unfortunately, most of the people driving have not had the experience nor the driving education required in the United States. This means that you really have to use those defensive driving skills that were drummed into your head during driving ED classes.
This does not mean you should not drive, just be aware that it is a bit more chaotic than you are accustomed to. I have been driving in Granada for 10 years and have avoided being in an accident with another car, bus or taxi. However, I have had three (3) bicycles plow into me. One while I was at a dead stop! One actually picked up his mangled bicycle and ran away while I was gaping at the huge dent he had just put in my new van because he ran a stop sign.
Posted February 8, 2014
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
When compared with driving in Managua (see my answer under “What’s it like to drive in Managua?”), diving in Granada, Nicaragua is relatively easy. In both places, you have to be are of pedestrians, bicycles, animals like dogs and horses, all of which are oblivious to you and the driving situation. Also, there are no street signs, the streets can become narrow or wider without notice, and there are streets that change from two way to one way without...
When compared with driving in Managua (see my answer under “What’s it like to drive in Managua?”), diving in Granada, Nicaragua is relatively easy. In both places, you have to be are of pedestrians, bicycles, animals like dogs and horses, all of which are oblivious to you and the driving situation. Also, there are no street signs, the streets can become narrow or wider without notice, and there are streets that change from two way to one way without notice (other than someone yelling at you “Go back! Go back!”).
My recommendation is that, before doing a lot of driving, you spend some time walking in the city to learn what things are like, what direction the streets go, etc. It’s easy to walk the city of Granada, and that way, you learn the traffic flow.
(Please also see my answer under “What’s it like to drive in Nicaragua?”)
Posted August 15, 2014