Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around Nicaragua. In Managua, inner-city bus fare is $.15, and traveling from Managua to the farthest reaches of the country never costs more than $4.
Express buses (mini-buses and large vans) regularly make the trip from Granada to Managua for 14 córdobas, or $.85. The trip lasts about an hour, with buses leaving Granada from Parqueo Colon, one block south of the Central Park, and arriving at the UCA bus terminal in Managua. The bus also passes through Masaya, where you can get off for 10 córdobas, $.60.
The easiest way to get to San Juan del Sur and the south Pacific beaches by bus is to catch the bus to Rivas from Managua or Granada, then look for a colectivo taxi, which will leave for San Juan del Sur once there are five people aboard, charging 20 córdobas per person, or $1.20. Or, you can rent the whole taxi yourself for 100 córdobas, $6. The trip from Rivas takes 30 minutes.
Buses leave Managua regularly to all parts of the country. There are three main bus terminals in Managua.
Buses to Northern Zone destinations (Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Nueva Segovia, Rama, Boaca, Chontales, Madriz) leave from Mercado Mayoreo.
Buses to the West (León, Chinandega, Carazo) leave from Mercado Roberto Huembes.
Buses to Southern Zone destinations (Granada, Masaya, San Marcos, Rivas, San Juan del Sur) leave from Israel Lewites.
Bus Travel to and from Nicaragua
Buses leave daily from Nicaragua to Costa Rica and the rest of Central America. Buses leave from Managua and Granada. Check schedules and purchase tickets at least a day in advance.
Transnica (Managua: 277-2104, Granada: 552-6619) offers the most comfortable, air-conditioned ride with daily service to San José, Costa Rica and other destinations in Central America. Bus terminal in Managua is 300 meters towards the lake, 25 meters south of the MetroCentro Rotunda. Buses leave Managua everyday at 5:30 am, 7 am, 10 am, noon and 3 pm, passing by the Granada stop, in front of the Maria Auxiliadora Church, 1 hour after leaving Managua. Tickets are $10 one way. Transnica also offers an “executive,” which is more expensive but infinitely more comfortable and includes a meal so you don’t have to stop.
Tica Bus (222-3031), has three daily trips to Costa Rica (leaving Managua at 6 am, 7 am , noon). Buses leave from Managua’s Barrio Bolonia. $20 roundtrip.
It leaves from Barrio Bolonia travels to and from Nicaragua. In Managua Nica Bus is located three blocks from the Cabrera movie theater.
Traveling by Taxi in Nicaragua
Taxis operate in all major cities and towns of Nicaragua, and are the easiest and safest way to travel.
All inner city taxis – regardless of the city – are collective, so they will stop and pick other people up even if you are in the cab going somewhere. People are dropped off in order of pickup though, so even if the taxi driver stops to let someone else in, you’ll get dropped off first. On the same token, if you’re in a rush to get somewhere, keep in mind that you are going for a bit of a ride before you get to your destination, if you jump in a cab that is already carrying several other passengers.
Nicaraguan taxis do not have meters. Taxi fares, especially in Managua, should be negotiated before getting in the car. It will take a while to get used to how much you should pay for a taxi in Managua, but never pay more than 30-córdobas, about $2, for an inner-city cab.
In towns like Granada, Masaya and San Juan del Sur, the innercity fare is 6 córdobas, about $.30. The prices go up slightly, about $.10 more, after dark.
If you are traveling in a taxi at night from one city to the other, the cab driver will first take the taxi torre off the top of his cab (taxis are not allowed to pick up fares in other cities). When the cab driver does this, it usually means he will not pick up other people staggering along the side of the road. But, if he slows down to pick someone up in the dark, tell him “que no me montes nadie” (don’t pick anyone else up). The driver has already agreed to take you from one city to the next, don’t let him pick up someone else; it could lead to trouble.
Taxis are plentifuland inexpensive in Nicaragua
Don’t EVER slam the door of a taxi. Note to US Americans, you have a disposition to slamming doors, whether or not your realize it. Be mindful and close doors gently. Many times the taxi driver will reach for the door you are attempting to close, because he knows you have a disposition to slamming doors. Most taxis are poorly built Korean cars; the doors will fall off if you slam them too many times.
Before getting in a cab, make sure you have complete directions to where you are going. Even if the directions don’t make sense to you, the taxi driver will need all the details to get you where you are going, especially if you are going to a destination unknown to the taxi driver, such as someone’s house. The directions – in Spanish – should be something like Desde (tal landmark) 150 varas al lago, 50 varas sur, 25 varas al lago (see section on directions).
Taxis are available everywhere, on street corners, in front of the park and at the airport. Many foreigners who have been living in Nicaragua for a while can also recommend trustworthy taxi drivers to take you to the airport, drive you to the beach, or pick up a friend.
There are more than 20 taxi companies in the phone book. Most cab drivers don’t have radios, so you can’t call them unless you know their personal cell phone number. Several companies in Managua do offer dispatch service, however:
Servicio de Taxi 24 Horas ......................268-7669, 888-0301
Cooperativa de Taxi 25 de Febrero.........222-4728, 222-5218
Cooperativa 2 de Agosto .......................263-1512, 263-1839
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