Transport to and from San Juan del Sur
How to reach San Juan del Sur by private or public transport
Private transport from Managua
San Juan del Sur is located 140 km from Managua, the capital. Take the main road to Masaya/Granada, turn right at the roundabout when having
passed through Masaya towards Catarina/Nandaime/Penas Blancas (straight on you continue to Granada), 
continue aprox. 15 km and turn right at
the Mombacho Vulcano and pass through Nandaime and Rivas in the direction of the Costa Rican border (Penas Blancas). 12 Km south of Rivas
(and 20 km before the Costa Rican border) turn right at "La Virgin" and continue 18 km straight to San Juan. An alternative road goes from Managua to El Crucero, Jinotepe and
joins the road to Rivas at Nandaime. The trip takes about 2,5 hours. It's
no problem to reach San Juan with a normal car as the roads are excellent.
From Managua airport to hotel or bus station (mercado Huembes) or hotel areas (Los Robles / Altamira (midrange) or Martha Quezada / Bolonia (low/midrange)
The airport is situated next to one of the busiest streets of Managua. Crossing this road you find Hotel Las Mercedes, part of the Best Western chain. The international airport is about 10 km from the areas where you can find a hotel or public transport to SJdS. Taxis at the airport charge around U$10 - U$ 20 (you have to bargain) but you can also walk 100 meters to the highway and hail a passing taxi, which will charge you less than U$5.
A taxi taken outside the airport to the "Humberto Huembes market" costs about U$ 3. However, the cheap taxi's often take other passengers with them who more or less need to go in the same direction and are thus less safe. If you prefer to stay in Managua before heading to SJdS we can send you a list with decent mid range hotels (20-60U$/night 2pp). See also our chapter "Hotels in Managua". When it is dark, we recommend you to take a taxi from the inside of the airport.
From Managua-city by public transport
Buses in the direction of San Juan del Sur depart from the bus terminal at the Humberto Huembes Market. The Express buses leave at the left side of the bus terminal.
There are Express buses which go directly to San Juan (9.30 AM; 4 PM), but you can take either bus which goes to Rivas or Penas Blancas (they pass Rivas going to the
Costa Rican boder), which leave every 30 - 45 minutes. They cost aprox. 3 U$ pp for the 2 hour trip to Rivas. Arriving at the market in Rivas, you can
take a taxi to SjdS. You have 2 options: a private taxi which costs aprox. U$ 10-20 depending on your negotiating skills or a Shared Taxi
(Taxi Colectivo, 4 pp) which costs 40 cordobas (U$2) pp. The taxi ride takes 25-30 minutes).
From Costa Rica by public transport
Entering Nicaragua, you take the bus to Rivas and ask to get out at "La Virgin", 12 km before Rivas. Wait under the big tree at the road heading to SJdS (18 km) for the bus (50 cts) or a taxi ( a shared one, 2 U$ to the center of San Juan, and 50 cts more the driver brings you directly to Cabanas LoboLira in "barrio La Planta"). During the day you won t wait for more than 15 minutes!
The bus will drop you at the Central Market. In this chapter is a map, where you can see how to reach Cabanas Lobolira. You can also take a taxi from the Costa Rican border to San Juan. This costs aprox. U$ 20, but negogiate well before you enter the taxi.
Leaving SJdS
Buses to Rivas leave every 45 minutes from 05.00 in the morning until 17.30. From Rivas you can transfer onto buses for many other places At 05.00 and 6.00 am sharp also the direct express bus to Managua is leaving! The same taxi service which brings you from Rivas is available to bring you back.
Express Taxi
We can arrange a direct taxi from San Juan del Sur to other destinations via our collaboration with San Juan del Sur Transfer (www.sanjuandelsurtransfer.com). They offer a reliable, puntual and pleasant service. They hace a comfortable car, with AC and exclusively at your service. Their driver talks English and has a lot of experience and stories about Nicaragua.
The trip from San Juan del Sur to the airport takes 2 hours. They can also bring you to other destinations in Nicaragua and pick you up at any time convenient for you.
Below the standard prices (in US Dollars), and by email you can coordinate your itinery.
San Juan del Sur - Managua International Airport
| No. Passengers | One way |
|---|---|
| 2 | $100 |
| 3 | $110 |
| 4 | $120 |
| 5 | $130 |
| 6 | $140 |
San Juan del Sur - Granada
| No. Passengers | One way |
|---|---|
| 2 -3 | $60 |
| 4 | $70 |
| 5 - 8 | $15 por persona |
Contact San Juan del Sur Transfer to: sjdstransfer@yahoo.com
