Managua is a spread-out city and walking between most sights is not practical. Taxis are the main option for visitors — they are plentiful, cheap, and most are shared (you will often be picked up along with other passengers heading in the same direction). Always negotiate the fare before getting in; most rides within the city cost 40–80 córdobas. At night, use radio taxis or apps rather than flagging down on the street.
Microbus routes cover most of the city cheaply (about 5 córdobas) but can be confusing without local knowledge and tend to be very crowded during rush hours. Uber launched in Managua and provides a more predictable option for getting around.
Many hotels and hostels are on or near the Carretera Masaya corridor, which makes it easy to organise day trips south toward Granada and Masaya — just flag down a bus on the main road or take a taxi to the UCA terminal.