Air Travel to, in, and around Nicaragua

Managua’s International Airport, also known as Augusto Sandino Airport (tel. 233-1539), is a newly remodeled, modern and safe (Class I) airport, 8 miles outside of Managua. The airport in Managua is the main entryway into the country, acting as the hub for most international – and domestic – flights.

Granada also has a small “international” airport, servicing flights from Costa Rica on Nature Air three times a week (Sunday, Wednesday and Friday).

Plans are also in the works to make the airstrip in Bluefields an international airport in the coming future, although probably not for another couple of years.

Several major international airlines offer service to Nicaragua, with most tourists arriving on the Continental flight from Houston or the American Airlines flight from Miami. Both are afternoon flight, arriving at dusk. (Tourists arriving on these flights and heading to Granada should avoid traveling on the old Tipitapa Highway after dark. (See Section of Personal Safety)

Most airlines offer excursion rates and three-or-four week packages. Fares are subject to availability, change and restrictions including advanced purchase requirements, minimum stops or cancellation penalties. Remember, the main tourist season in Nicaragua runs from about Thanksgiving to Easter. This period approximately coincides with local vacations so sometimes it is hard to find available space at this time of year.

If you are planning to travel to or from Nicaragua during December you may have to buy a ticket months in advance because of the Christmas holidays. However, if you get into a jam you can sometimes find space on a flight via Costa Rica or Panama.

If you plan to travel or explore South America from Nicaragua you can usually save money by flying to Miami first and then buying a round-trip ticket to your final destination. This does not apply for non-U.S. citizens who need a special travel visa to pass through the United States.

Tico Travel (800-493-8426) specializes in trips to Nicaragua. We highly recommend this agency for booking your trip to Nicaragua or anywhere in Central America.

International Airlines Servicing Nicaragua

American Airlines
233-1769 (airport)
266-2818 (reservations)

Continental
263-1030 (airport)
278-7033 (reservations)

COPA
233-1404 (airport)
267-0045 (reservations)

AVIATECA
266-0872

TACA
266-3136 (reservations)

Lacsa
(part of Grupo Taca) ...266-3136

Aerocaribbean
(flights to Cuba), 277-4850

Nature Air
(Granada-Costa Rica, www.natureair.com), Toll Free USA/Canada: 800 235-9272

Japan Airlines
266-3588