Are taxis readily available in Managua, Nicaragua, and what do taxis cost in Managua, Nicaragua?

Taxis are readily available in Managua, and are efficient to get a person around the town.  Managua, a city of about 1.3 million people, has very few street signs and, in fact, has business locations like "3 corners toward the lake from the Soldier's hospital".  So a business card with this type of location (always in Spanish) makes it difficult to run errands in town.  But if you have the card/location it makes it easy for a taxi driver to find where you want...

Taxis are readily available in Managua, and are efficient to get a person around the town.  Managua, a city of about 1.3 million people, has very few street signs and, in fact, has business locations like "3 corners toward the lake from the Soldier's hospital".  So a business card with this type of location (always in Spanish) makes it difficult to run errands in town.  But if you have the card/location it makes it easy for a taxi driver to find where you want to go.

 

And popular locations ( the malls, the local "Sam's Club called PriceSmart") will have taxis trolling for customers.  Prices should be negotiated before entering the cab, and a driver will normally not charge much for more than one passenger.  I can get across town from west to east (my office to the airport, for example) for about $8 including luggage.  But from the airport to the office is at least $15, because there is a type of "organization" at the airport.  They are registered taxis, and all taxis will have a light (usually not working) and their tag number painted in large numbers on the side and back of the car.  If you speak a little Spanish, I find you can get a smile if you ask about business or about the driver's family.

 

One word of caution:  I always insist before I enter the cab that I (or my group) will be the only passenger(s) until we arrive at our destination.  I've heard of both the cabbie and the passengers being robbed at knife point by a second rider getting in.   This has happened twice in the 6 years I've been here, so a little safety can go a long way.