The Carretera Masaya is the main road leading south from the city towards Granada and Masaya, and the strip along it has become the de facto tourist and expat hub of modern Managua. Most international hotels, upscale restaurants, travel agencies, and foreign-friendly bars are lined up along or just off this corridor.
It is not a traditional neighbourhood so much as a commercial strip, but it is practical: Galerías Santo Domingo mall is here, along with numerous ATMs, supermarkets, and the bus connections south. If you are in Managua for a short time and want comfortable lodging with easy access to restaurants and onward travel, this is where to base yourself. The area has a somewhat sanitised feel compared to the older parts of the city, but the convenience is hard to argue with.