There are 5 ways to get from Costa Rica to Managua by plane, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport
best- Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Managua Airport (MGA)plane SJO - MGA
3h 56m$221–552Bus via Liberia
cheapest- Take the bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe, San José to Terminal Pulmitan Liberiabus
- Take the bus from Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia to Peñas Blancasbus
- Take the bus from Rivas to Managua Mercado Huembesbus
6h 54m$16–20Drive 417.6 km
- Drive from San José to Managuacar 417.6 km
6h 26m$56–81Fly from Limón International Airport
- Fly from Limón International Airport (LIO) to Managua Airport (MGA)plane LIO - MGA
3h 44m$66–383Bus
- Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Terminal Managua - CCAbus Sjo
12h$30–50
Costa Rica to Managua by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Costa Rica to Managua is to bus via Liberia which costs $16 - $21 and takes 6h 54m.
The fastest way to get from Costa Rica to Managua is to fly which takes 3h 44m and costs $65 - $390.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Terminal Atlántico Norte and arriving at Terminal Managua - CCA. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 12h.
The distance between Costa Rica and Managua is 337 km. The road distance is 417.6 km.
The best way to get from Costa Rica to Managua without a car is to bus via Liberia which takes 6h 54m and costs $16 - $21.
It takes approximately 3h 56m to get from Costa Rica to Managua, including transfers.
Costa Rica to Managua bus services, operated by Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter), depart from Terminal Atlántico Norte station.
The best way to get from Costa Rica to Managua is to fly which takes 3h 56m and costs $220 - $550. Alternatively, you can bus via Liberia, which costs $16 - $21 and takes 6h 54m.
Costa Rica to Managua bus services, operated by Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter), arrive at Terminal Managua - CCA station.
Yes, the driving distance between Costa Rica to Managua is 418 km. It takes approximately 6h 26m to drive from Costa Rica to Managua.
What companies run services between Costa Rica and Managua, Nicaragua?
Copa Airlines, World Ticket, and SANSA fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Managua Airport (MGA) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe, San José to Managua Mercado Huembes via Terminal Pulmitan Liberia, Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia, Peñas Blancas, Rivas, and Rivas in around 6h 54m.
- Website
- copaair.com
Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport to Managua Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $45–340
Flights from Limón International Airport to Managua Airport via Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 9m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $55–370
- Phone
- +506 2222 0610
- info@caribeños.com
- Website
- Pulmitan de Liberia
Bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe, San José to Terminal Pulmitan Liberia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $10–13
- Schedules at
- Pulmitan de Liberia
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Need to know: Greyhound, French strikes 2018: What are my alternative transport options?, and South Korea: Travelling from Seoul to Busan - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
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