Nicaragua Travel Guide - Getting Around

Given the relative size of the country and the difficulty of some ground travel routes, internal flights are worth considering. La Costeña (website: www.tacaregional.com/costena/index.html) and Atlantic Airlines (website: www.atlanticairlinesint.com) cover a wide range of internal routes.

Note: Managua International Airport charges an airport management fee of US$1.50 or local equivalent for travellers on domestic routes.

A twice-weekly boat service runs between Bluefields and the Corn Islands. It is also possible to visit the 300 or so islands on Lake Nicaragua, which are very beautiful.

There is no passenger rail service at present.

Traffic drives on the right. Lack of road safety is probably the biggest single hazard to travellers in Nicaragua. Some main roads connecting major towns and cities are paved and in a reasonable state, but in general, road conditions are poor. In the wet season especially, driving can be problematic. It is advised not to drive at night.

Bus: There is a service to most large towns. Booking seats in Managua in advance is advisable. Most buses are former American school buses.

Taxi: Available at the airport or in Managua. Prices should be agreed before departure. A map of each area in the city determines taxi prices. No tip is expected.

Car hire: Available in Managua or at the airport from local and international companies. Cars with drivers can be hired.

Regulations: Speed limits vary according to the type of road, but these are rarely enforced.

Documentation: National licences are only valid for 30 days. Insurance is essential.

The bus and minibus services in Managua are cheap, but they can be both crowded and confusing. Authorised taxis have red licence plates.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Managua to other major cities/towns in Nicaragua.

	Road
Granada	1.00
Esteli	2.15
Matagalpa	1.45
Rivas	1.30