Transport in Nicaragua – Complete Guide to Nicaragua Transportation (2024)

Nicaragua has got to be one of the most interesting places to travel around. There are just so many transport options to choose from! We love travelling around Nicaragua and our travel days are always fun and memorable experiences. Nicaragua has widest amount of transport options of any country we’ve every visited. Moreover, each transport option is a unique experience in itself. In Nicaragua the journey is just as exciting as the destination. We lived in Nicaragua for a year and a half and got to experience almost every transport option while we were there. Keep reading to get our complete guide on transport in Nicaragua.

Transport to Nicaragua

Your first interaction with transport in Nicaragua is the journey to get there. Nicaragua is located right in the middle of Central America and shares land borders with both Honduras as well as Costa Rica. It has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and also the Caribbean Sea. It also has a major international airport in the capital Managua called Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport. So the country is accessible by land and also by air. Let’s go through each of the different options in more detail below.

How to get to Nicaragua by land

Nicaragua land border crossings

Nicaragua has land borders with both Honduras and Costa Rica.

There are 3 main land border crossings between Nicaragua and Honduras:

• Las Manos (we have done this border crossing)
• El Espino
• El Guasaule

There are 2 main land border crossings between Nicaragua and Costa Rica

• Peñas Blancas
• San Pancho (we have done this border crossing)

Nicaragua land border transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Nicaragua are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator – we have heard many good things the services provided by Alex Ruiz from Pacific Tours.
• Shuttle bus – the two main private bus companies that have shuttle services to Nicaragua are Nicabus and Ticabus. We’ll discuss these options in more detail in the ‘Shuttle buses to Nicaragua’ section below.
• Local transport – by far the cheapest option is to take public transport. Local transport is a slower option, but you get the experience of travelling with the locals. Buses and minivans are common throughout Nicaragua. The bus network is extensive and bus rides generally cost around C$30 for a one hour trip. We’ll provide more information on specific routes in the section below.

Shuttle buses to Nicaragua

There are two main private bus companies that provide shuttle services to Nicaragua: Nicabus and Ticabus.

Nicabus is a bus company that operates buses between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The Nicabus shuttles to Nicaragua are:

• Managua (Nicaragua)-San Jose (Costa Rica) – fares are US$28.75 one way or US$57.50 return (prices as at January 2022).
• Chinandega (Nicaragua)-San Jose (Costa Rica) – fares are US$35 one way or US$70 return (prices as at January 2022).

Ticabus is a bus company that operates buses throughout Central America and Mexico. The Ticabus shuttles to Nicaragua are:

• Managua (Nicaragua)-San Jose (Costa Rica) – fares are US$29 one way or US$58 return (prices as at January 2022). There are a number of pick-up and drop-off points to choose from in both countries

How to get from Liberia Costa Rica to Nicaragua by bus

Liberia Guanacaste Airport (airport code LIR) is an airport in Costa Rica which is close to the Nicaraguan border. The land border crossing into Nicaragua is at Peñas Blancas.

From Liberia Guanacaste Airport, these are the buses you need to take:

• 513 bus from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to Liberia. The travel time is approximately 18 minutes and buses run every 1-2 hours. Bus fare is approximately 500-600 colones (around US$1). Alternatively a taxi takes around 16 minutes and costs US$16-20 and Uber costs around US$7.50 (as at 2022).
• 521 bus from Liberia to Peñas Blancas. The travel time is approximately 1.5 hours and there’s a bus every 45 minutes from 5am until 6:30pm. Bus fare is 1750 colones (approximately US$3) per person (as at 2022).
• From Peñas Blancas there are buses to take you to other parts of Nicaragua. Rivas is the closest main transport hub to Peñas Blancas.

Bus timetable – 513 bus Liberia to Playa Matapalo via Liberia Guanacaste Airport Costa Rica

* From or to Nuevo Colon rather than Playa Matapalo.

Note – Liberia Guanacaste Airport is 18 minutes by bus from Liberia and around 45 minutes – 1 hour by bus from Playa Matapalo.

For more information, see this website.

Bus timetable – 521 bus Liberia to Peñas Blancas Costa Rica

Note – this bus also stops at Santa Rosa National Park turnoff, Cuajiniquil turnoff and La Cruz. La Cruz is 1 hour by bus from Liberia and around 30 minutes by bus from Peñas Blancas.

For more information, see this website.

Can you drive to Nicaragua from the US

You can drive to Nicaragua from the US or vice versa. This will involve a lot of border crossings along the way as well as the challenges of driving in foreign countries, but it is certainly possible. The Pan American highway runs through Nicaragua and all the way up to the US. This highway also winds its way through South America, ending at the bottom of Argentina. However you cannot drive the full length from the US to Argentina as there is an interruption in the highway between Panama and Colombia at the Darién Gap.

Can you drive a rental vehicle to Nicaragua

Nomad America is the only vehicle rental company that has rental vehicles that can enter Nicaragua from other countries. Their insurance covers all of Central America other than Belize. This means that you can drive their vehicles in Nicaragua as well as Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador as well as Guatemala. Furthermore, for an additional fee you can also drive to Mexico.

Documents required for driving to Nicaragua

When driving your own vehicle into Nicaragua, be sure to have the following documents:

• Your title for the vehicle
• Your driver’s licence (including your international driver’s permit)
• Your passport

Entry costs for driving to Nicaragua

Entry costs for vehicles entering Nicaragua include around US$3-6 for fumigation, US$17 for vehicle crossing fee, around US$5-12 for insurance and US$13 for people.

How long can you bring a vehicle into Nicaragua

Nicaragua provides vehicle permits of 30 days. If you are planning to stay in the country for longer than that you will need to get an extension at one of the immigration offices once you’re in the country.

Can you import a vehicle into Nicaragua

Yes, you can import a vehicle into Nicaragua. However there are age limits which apply to imported vehicles in Nicaragua (typically vehicles must be less than 10 years old from the date of manufacture). Additionally, fees, duties and taxes apply.

How to fly to Nicaragua

There is one international airport in Nicaragua – the Augusto C. Santino International Airport in Managua (Airport code MGA). However many people visiting Nicaragua fly to Liberia Guanacaste Airport (airport code LIR) in Costa Rica and cross over Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas. This is often the preferred option as flights are generally cheaper and from what we hear flights through Liberia are less likely to get delayed or cancelled. One thing to keep in mind if you do decide to go through Costa Rica is that you will need to satisfy Costa Rica’s entry requirements. This is generally not too much of an issue unless you are a Nicaraguan citizen. We have heard of Nicaraguan nationals having issues with going through Costa Rica.

For information on how to get to Nicaragua from Liberia Guanacaste Airport (airport code LIR) to Nicaragua, see the How to get to Nicaragua by land section above.

How to get to Nicaragua by boat

Cruises to San Juan del Sur Nicaragua

There are a number of cruises that stop at the Nicaraguan beach town San Juan del Sur. This is a port town on the Pacific side of Nicaragua. San Juan del Sur is a pretty area with plenty of restaurants and bars catered to tourists. Some of the best beaches in Nicaragua can be found within a half hour drive of San Juan del Sur.

Cruises to the Corn Islands Nicaragua

On the Caribbean side of Nicaragua, there were also some cruises that had previously visited the Corn Islands.

Ferries from El Salvador to Nicaragua

There is also a tour company that operates regular ferry services between Nicaragua and El Salvador. Ruta del Golfo is the first tour company to operate a regular passenger service in the Gulf of Fonseca. This company has 2 services a week. Their boats run on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with boats travelling between Potosí Nicaragua and La Unión El Salvador. Additionally they offer transfers between Potosí Nicaragua and León, Nicaragua. The travel time is between 2 hours and 9.5 hours depending on your destination. The cost is between US$65 and US$135 per person one way. You can also book private hires through this company to take you to any destination within Central America.

How to get around Nicaragua

Now that you’ve safely arrived in Nicaragua, there are plenty of options for travelling around the country. These can range from absolutely free, to a few dollars to more expensive options. Furthermore, we were surprised at just how many transport options Nicaragua has, including horse and cart, tuk tuks, bicycle taxis, normal taxis, buses, minivans and personal drivers. We’ll go through each of the options in terms of price, availability, timing and comfort so you can choose the option that’s right for you. If you want to know the answer to the question “how do you get around Nicaragua?” you’ve come to the right place.

How to get around Nicaragua for free – hitchhiking in Nicaragua

This option is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, and you do need to keep in mind safety issues, but hitchhiking is a very budget friendly choice for travelling in Nicaragua. Given public transport is so extensive in the country and private transport or shuttles aren’t that expensive, we wouldn’t recommend this option unless you are experienced with hitchhiking and ideally know a bit of Spanish. We only hitchhiked a couple of times in more rural areas where public transport wasn’t as frequent or available. Generally we’d ride in the back of a truck and hold on tight. Nicaraguans are generally friendly and helpful people and are often happy to help out with a lift.

How to travel Nicaragua by bus

Where to find buses in Nicaragua

Most cities and towns in Nicaragua have bus terminals near the central market. Some larger cities have multiple bus terminals, so you may need to check whether you’re at the right bus stop for the destination you want to go to. The capital city, Managua, has 4 main bus terminals but most places have just one or two.

The main transport hubs in Nicaragua are Managua, Masaya as well as Rivas. You can get a bus to almost anywhere in the country from Managua. If you are going to San Juan del Sur, Ometepe Island or on to Costa Rica you will pass through Rivas. And Masaya is another main bus terminal that is in between Managua and Rivas.

Bus terminals in Managua Nicaragua

There are 4 main bus terminals in Managua which each service different parts of the country. These are:

• Terminal de Autobuses Mercado Roberto Huembes – Buses from Managua to Peñas Blancas (Costa Rica border), Granada, Masaya, Rivas, San Jorge or San Juan del Sur (southwest Nicaragua).
• Terminal de Buses El Mayoreo – Buses from Managua to Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotega, El Rama, San Carlos, Ocotal, Jalapa, Wasala, and Somoto (northern Nicaragua).
• Terminal Israel Lewites – Buses from Managua to León and Chinandega and microbuses to León (north-west Nicaragua).
• Terminal Mercado Ivan Montenegro – Buses from Managua to Bluefields and El Rama (Caribbean side of Nicaragua).

Additionally there is also a microbus terminal in Managua which has minivans that service all parts of the country.

How much are buses in Nicaragua

Expect to pay around C$30 (less than US$1) for a 1 hour bus trip in Nicaragua. Bus schedules in Nicaragua are more of a rough guideline, so don’t be surprised if buses leave earlier or later than scheduled. For some routes they may just leave when they are full. This a ticket collector on the bus that collects your fare during the trip. They generally have plenty of change, but we’d recommend carrying small notes in the local currency (Nicaraguan córdobas) just to be on the safe side. It certainly helps if you can speak a little bit of Spanish as most locals don’t speak English.

Details for some of the most common bus routes in Nicaragua are listed below:

The above bus fares are as at 2021.

Buses in Nicaragua – what you need to know

Nicaragua buses are old US yellow school buses that are often painted in bright colours. They have the destination on a sign at the front of the bus. Buses rarely leave on time, so patience is key. Before the bus leaves as well as during the journey a number of vendors may get on the bus selling food and other goods. This is a great opportunity to get a snack for your trip or even do your grocery shopping.

There is no allocated seating on buses in Nicaragua and buses are often crowded. Be prepared to stand in close quarters to people around you for the journey. You may see some interesting sights on the buses. We’ve seen performers, a clown and even a woman feeding her pet bird.

Microbuses or minivans in Nicaragua

An affordable but slightly more expensive alternative to buses in Nicaragua are microbuses or minivans. These vans generally seat around 10-15 people. They are more direct and generally only a few córdobas more expensive than buses. For example, a bus from León to Managua is C$52 whereas a microbus is C$61. They usually leave when they are full and are also typically more frequent than buses. We personally think that buses are more comfortable than the minivans as people do get crammed into the minivans and minivans generally don’t provide much legroom. However you do always get a seat in minivans, albeit once my seat was just an upside-down crate in between two other seats.

Shuttle buses in Nicaragua

Shuttle buses operate between major tourist destinations in Nicaragua. You can often book these shuttles through your accommodation or through tour operators.

San Juan del Sur shuttle bus

Hostel Casa Oro provides a shuttle service to the beaches around San Juan del Sur for around US$3-5 one way. This shuttle is an open jeep-style vehicle with wooden benches. It is quite a bumpy ride down the dirt roads surrounding San Juan del Sur, but an easy way to get around the area. We recommend contacting the hostel in advance to book your ride.

Vehicle hire in Nicaragua

Bicycles, Motorbikes, ATVs, Cars and 4WDs can all be hired in Nicaragua. Prices are seasonal, but expect to pay around:

• US$15 a day for a bicycle
• US$20-30 a day for a motorbike
• US$50-65 a day for an ATV
• US$30-100 a day for a car
• US$100+ a day for a 4WD

The roads connecting major cities are paved and in good condition. However once you get outside the urban areas the roads are dirt roads. This is particularly true around the beach areas. Furthermore, in the rainy season the roads can become flooded. We would recommend getting a 4WD if you want to drive in Nicaragua. We’d also recommend avoiding driving at night as the roads are not well lit and animals such as cattle, horses and stray dogs may be on the road.

Horse and carriage rides in Nicaragua

In some cities in Nicaragua such as Granada and León you can get horse and carriage rides around the city. This is a relaxing way to see the sights and familiarise yourself with the area. Expect to pay around US$5 for a 30 minute tour or US$10 for a 1 hour tour. Carriages hold a maximum of 4 passengers. In Granada horse and carriage rides depart from Parque Central de Granada.

Bicycle taxis in Nicaragua

We have seen three-wheeled bicycle taxis in some cities in Nicaragua such as Sébaco, El Sauce and Tipitapa. These bicycle taxis are called caponeras. They can accommodate 2-3 passengers who sit at the front. The driver is called the caponero. We haven’t tried this Nicaraguan mode of transport out ourselves, but they look like a lot of fun. Expect to pay around C$10 per person for a short trip in the city centre.

Tuk-Tuks in Nicaragua

Auto-rickshaws or tuk-tuks are common in Nicaragua. They are a cheap and quick way to get from one place to the next. Agree on a price before you start your journey. Expect to pay around C$20-C$30 for a couple for a 10 minute trip. Tuk tuks may pick up other passengers along the way, so don’t be surprised if you have to share a ride with other passengers.

Taxis in Nicaragua

One of the most convenient ways to get around Nicaragua is by taxi. Taxis in Nicaragua don’t generally have metres, so be sure to agree on a price before you begin your journey. In Granada the fare to get to anywhere within the city is C$10 per person during the day (7am-10pm) and C$15 per person after 10pm. Taxis may pick up other passengers along the way, so don’t be surprised if you have to share a ride with other passengers.

Ride-share in Nicaragua

Uber, Lyft and Grab do not operate in Nicaragua. In Managua there are some alternatives:

• Aventón
• Ray Nicaragua
• inDriver

Ferries in Nicaragua

Where to find ferries in Nicaragua

There are a number of ferry services in Nicaragua. They mainly go to Ometepe Island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. Most ferries to Ometepe Island go from San Jorge, which is 15 minutes drive from Rivas. These ferries go to either Moyogalpa or San José del Sur on Ometepe Island. There are also weekly ferries from Granada and San Carlos to Ometepe Island. Other ferries in Nicaragua include ferries along Río San Juan and around Lake Nicaragua at the southern end of Nicaragua as well as around El Rama, Bluefields, El Bluff and the Corn Islands on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua.

How much are ferries in Nicaragua

Ferry fares in Nicaragua are as follows:

The ferries will allow cargo for an additional cost. For more information and to make a reservation call 2552-6618 or 7829-0672.

There are also lanchas that operate between San Jorge and Ometepe Island. Lanchas are small wooden boats. They are slightly cheaper than the ferries, with a one way ticket from San Jorge to Moyogalpa costing C$35-C$45.

Nicaragua ferry timetable – San Jorge and Ometepe Island

The timetable for ferries between San Jorge and Ometepe Island (Moyogalpa and San José del Sur) is listed below:

Nicaragua ferry timetable – Granada to Ometepe Island and San Carlos

Ferries from Granada to Ometepe Island and San Carlos run once a week in each direction. Ferries depart from Granada at 5pm on Mondays, stopping at Altagracia on Ometepe Island at 9pm before finally arriving at San Carlos at 6am the next morning. The return journey departs from San Carlos at 5pm on Tuesdays, stopping at Altagracia on Ometepe Island at 1am before reaching Granada at 6am on Wednesday.

Nicaragua ferry timetable – San Carlos

The timetable for ferries to and from San Carlos is listed below:

Nicaragua ferry timetable – Caribbean

The timetable for ferries on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua (El Rama, Bluefields, El Bluff and Big Corn Island) is listed below:

Domestic flights in Nicaragua

If you want to visit the Caribbean side of Nicaragua, the quickest way to get there is by air. The regional airline La Costeña operates flights between Managua and 6 different destinations on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua:

• Corn Island
• Bluefields
• Puerto Cabezas
• Waspan
• Siuna
• Bonanza

The flight time from Managua to each of these destinations is between 45 minutes and an hour and a half and one way tickets cost around US$100.

Nicaragua Transport Scams

There are a couple of public transport scams that we are aware of in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua Scam: Different bus fare for foreigners

We have heard of some bus conductors charging foreigners double or quadruple the correct fare. This scam typically happens on buses from Granada to Rivas. In this scam the bus conductor doesn’t allow foreigners on the bus until they have paid the fare. However locals pay the fare on the bus and the correct fare is also generally displayed inside the bus near the driver’s seat at the front. While the bus fare from Granada to Rivas is 50 cordobas (as at 2023), we have heard of foreigners being charged 100 cordobas or even 200 cordobas for the fare. If this happens to you, it will help to have a bit of Spanish to argue your case. Tell them that you will pay the correct fare when you are on the bus and if you can see the sign with the correct fare, point to that. If they still won’t let you on, take a photo of the bus and tell them you will report them.

Nicaragua Scam: Taxi to the Ometepe Ferry

Taxi drivers may try to convince you that there is no bus between the Ometepe Island ferry terminal at San Jorge and Rivas, so that you will take a taxi instead. There is a bus – we have caught it ourselves from San Jorge to Rivas. However we don’t know where the bus going from Rivas to San Jorge departs from. If you know, please let us know so we can update this blog post. If you do decide to get a taxi from Rivas to San Jorge, expect to pay around 65 cordobas for 2 people, compared to 10 cordobas per person for the bus (as at 2023).

Nicaragua safety: Nicaragua transport travel tips

Safety on public transport in Nicaragua

Public transport is a safe, easy and cheap way to travel around Nicaragua. However petty crime can be an issue, so be sure to keep an eye on your belongings, beware of pickpockets and be aware of your surroundings. We have been warned by locals to be careful about people grabbing stuff through the window, particularly if you put your camera near the window to take a picture. We travelled extensively through Nicaragua by public transport and felt very safe.

Road safety in Nicaragua

While roads between major cities in Nicaragua are modern and well maintained, the same cannot be said of roads in beach and rural areas. Outside of the highways and cities, roads in Nicaragua are often unsealed and are also susceptible to flooding during the rainy season. Never drive through flood water as it is not safe. We would also recommend avoiding driving at night where possible as Nicaragua roads are often unlit and there may be animals or pedestrians on the road that are difficult to see.

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