There are 6 ways to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica 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
best- Fly from Managua Airport (MGA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane MGA - SJO
3h 28m$223–442Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Managua to Terminal TransNicabus Managua
9h$30–50Bus via Cerrajería Tenderí
- Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus Chinandega
8h 19m$37–38Drive 417.7 km
- Drive from Managua to San Josécar 417.7 km
6h 32m$56–81Bus via Peñas Blancas
- Take the bus from Managua Mercado Huembes to Rivasbus
- Take the bus from Peñas Blancas to Limonalbus Mga
- Take the bus from Limonal to Terminal Gran Terminal del Caribebus
9h 39mBus via Colegio Cristo Rey
- Take the bus from Managua to San Josébus San Salvador
12h 7m
Nicaragua to Costa Rica by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is to bus which costs $30 - $50 and takes 9h.
The fastest way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 3h 28m and costs $220 - $450.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Managua and arriving at Terminal TransNica. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h.
The distance between Nicaragua and Costa Rica is 339 km. The road distance is 417.7 km.
The best way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica without a car is to bus via Cerrajería Tenderí which takes 8h 19m and costs $37 - $38.
It takes approximately 3h 28m to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica, including transfers.
Nicaragua to Costa Rica bus services, operated by Nica Bus, depart from Managua station.
The best way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 3h 28m and costs $220 - $450. Alternatively, you can bus via Cerrajería Tenderí, which costs $37 - $38 and takes 8h 19m.
Nicaragua to Costa Rica bus services, operated by Nica Bus, arrive at Terminal NicaBus station.
Yes, the driving distance between Nicaragua to Costa Rica is 418 km. It takes approximately 6h 32m to drive from Nicaragua to Costa Rica.
What companies run services between Nicaragua and Costa Rica?
SANSA, Copa Airlines, and World Ticket fly from Managua Airport (MGA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) twice daily. Alternatively, Nica Bus operates a bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBus once daily. Tickets cost $37–38 and the journey takes 7h 15m.
- Website
- flysansa.com
Flights from Managua Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $210–550
- Website
- worldticket.com
Flights from Managua Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $210–550
- Website
- copaair.com
Flights from Managua Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $45–320
- Phone
- +505 2222 2276
- Nicabusinternacionalsa@gmail.com
- Website
- nicabus.com.ni
Bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBus
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $37–38
- Website
- https://nicabus.com.ni/en/
- Phone
- +506 4404 0500
- info@transnica.com
- Website
- transnica.com
Bus from Managua to Terminal TransNica
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Schedules at
- transnica.com
- Book at
- ventas.transnica.com
Bus from Managua Mercado Huembes to Rivas
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Phone
- +504 9919 5375
- Website
- cristobalcolon.com.gt
Bus from Peñas Blancas to Limonal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $11–16
- Schedules at
- cristobalcolon.com.gt
- Road
- $11–16
Bus from Limonal to Terminal Gran Terminal del Caribe
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 48m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Schedules at
- yoviajocr.com
- Phone
- +503 7841 5688
- info@transportedelsol.com
- Website
- transportedelsol.com
Bus from Managua to San José
- Ave. Duration
- 11h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Schedules at
- transportedelsol.com
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 4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia, Travelling to and around Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Travelling by boat in Italy - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
There are 768+ hotels available in Costa Rica.









