Taxi Cabbing Tips, Managua

As I will mention in my upcoming Nicaragua post, I was a little bit nervous about catching cabs in Managua. So, since it was something that was able to spook an experienced traveler like me, I figure it's a good topic to talk about. Especially since I feel like I navigated the city pretty easily, with and without cabs, and certainly without any trouble. In which case, the least I can do is offer you my taxi tips, right?

So like I said, I was a little nervous about having to catch a cab in Managua, and not so pleased to know it's the best (easiest, fastest) way to get around. Ok, I guess I'll level with you... I was more than a little nervous about the endeavor. More like:

Me on the airplane before touchdown in a near panic, knowing it was nighttime and I was going to have to take one in order to get to my Couch Surfing host’s house. Debating if it was worth the risk of walking out onto the highway to hail one for 10% the price of what I was sure to pay if I were to catch one from the airport, but pretty sure it wasn't the right time to take chances.

My breath was shallow, my hands were clenching and relaxing (barely), my eyes were darting about, and I was praying with more fervor than I’ve mustered in a long, long time. In the end, I decided it wasn't worth any risk to save myself under 20 bucks, but even knowing I would take one from right outside the airport didn't take away my unease. Why, you might ask? Why would an experienced traveler, who travels alone almost all the time, hitchhikes, Couch Surfs, and wanders where maybe she shouldn't, be so plagued by fear over something as basic as catching a cab? That's usually the safest mode of transport somewhere, right? So why on earth has it managed to instill such fear in a person that often likes to travel and try tricky things almost as a way of defying the fears of others?

Well, as most conditioned/embedded fear comes about, I got my information from other blogs and things on the Internet about catching cabs in Managua. Of all the things I read about Managua before going, catching a cab was a recurring topic, and one that everyone seemed to warn about. Now including me. Excellent. (It almost pains me to perpetuate the problem, but I do want to share these recommendations with you in case you go. Fear not, child, I have already done that for you, and it was for nothing!)

It’s actually really rare that I read anything about anywhere before I show up. I moved to Mallorca for two months, and had no idea there were going to be mountains on the island until I was flying above them. I live for the adventure, and love to just arrive somewhere, all my trust being put in God's Good Grace, and find out what happens. It's never resulted in anything terrible, but has certainly won me many wild adventure stories. However, before heading off for Central America, something inside me wanted to check up a bit on Managua. Call it infused-fear from nearly every single person telling me to "be extra careful in Central America," or question if I was sure it was safe to go, but something got to me, and I had to know something. Mostly what kind of food I could look forward to, but also some sights and basics. So I read a little, and honestly, I think I’m glad I did.

What I'd read is that you have to be careful about which cabs you get into in the city, because often times they will pick you up, then pick up some other people (which is really very normal there), but these people aren’t getting in because their destination is along the way. They’re actually getting in to jack you.

I did not experience this once, nor was it something that no one over there warned me about after arriving. So, it's not just something all the foreigners are running around saying because they know someone, who knows someone, whose second cousin thrice removed got jacked one time twenty years ago. No, it happens. But the good news is, there are ways to play it safe, and they are as follows:

Taxi Tip #1:

Get in an official (registered) taxi, which is marked by the painted license plate number on its sides and back. Also, the driver will usually have the license visibly posted in the cab.

You can try to tell them you’d like a direct ride and to go alone, perhaps they’ll pick someone up, perhaps they won’t. If they’re intention is to call up their friends and arrange a heist, I’m pretty sure they won’t listen anyways. A couple times the gal I was with and I got in a taxi that already had people in it. This is a pretty good way of being sure you're getting in a legit one, especially if you're sharing it with an elderly woman. Probably not going to get held up in that case.

Clearly things worked out fine for me, as I haven’t written any scary story. And my CS host, a local, said he takes cabs everywhere, and has never had a problem. There is no way to ensure you’ll be fine, nor any guarantee you’ll be the one to be unlucky. Honestly, my real recommendation #1: pray and trust your intuition!

Taxi Tip #2:

If you have a bad experience, don’t take it personally. My first taxi driver told me foreigners aren’t singled out, and that locals also find themselves in these kinds of situations. So don’t go spreading a bunch of bad word about a people or place because of one negative experience you had. If you want to warn people so they can be careful, great, but do take care with how you spread the word.

Taxi Tip #3:

If you're going to be there for a while, start a list of trustworthy taxis, then you can call on them specifically.

Taxi Tip #4:

If the driver can tell you are a foreigner, they will likely try to charge you 10-40* cordobas more than they should. So, don't be afraid to try and bargain, and set the price with them before you get in the cab! If they say 80, say 50. I only got really ripped off once. He said 100, I knew we weren't going that far, and got him down to 80, but after getting there and seeing just how far we'd actually gone, I knew I should have only paid 50. Oh well, it happens.

*(~25 cordobas = $1)

Those are the top tips for now! I hope you have a fantastic week! How many of you will I be catching at Envision!?! :D

Blessings, Love, Light & Wonder to all,

-AllieSun <3