Managua sits at 82 metres above sea level on the southern shore of Lake Managua, and the climate is hot all year — daytime temperatures hover around 30–35°C. The dry season runs from November to April and is the most comfortable time to visit: clear skies, lower humidity, and the city's outdoor spaces at their best. May through October is the rainy season, when afternoon downpours are frequent but usually short-lived. The rains actually green up the volcanic hills and make the city look more attractive than in the scorched dry months.
The biggest celebration is Santo Domingo de Guzmán in early August, when thousands of Managuans walk barefoot from the hills to a church in the old centre — a vivid and chaotic procession worth seeing if you happen to be in town. Semana Santa (Easter week) sees many residents leave for the beaches at San Juan del Sur and Masachapa, making the city quieter than usual.