Nicaragua by bus
Where are you going today?
Departure times, fares and the terminal your bus leaves from. Express buses, local buses, minibuses, international coaches and Managua city routes, in one place and available offline.
- Routes
- 217
- Cities
- 84
- Terminals
- 53
- City routes
- 45
Express or local bus?
Pick by budget and how much of a hurry you are in.
Express buses (59)
Direct buses between major cities with few stops. Faster and slightly pricier.
Local buses (123)
The famous “chicken buses”: they stop in every town along the way. Cheapest and slowest.
Minibuses (interlocal) (14)
Express minibuses for 15 to 20 passengers that leave when full, like the ones from UCA in Managua.
International coaches (6)
Coaches to Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama with Tica Bus and TransNica.
Boats and ferries (15)
Water connections: the ferry to Ometepe island and the speedboats between El Rama and Bluefields.
Managua city buses (45)
Bus routes inside Managua. Flat fare of C$2.50 (about US$0.07).
Most popular routes
The trips people look up every day.
Managua → Estelí
Leaves from Mayoreo · Managua
- Fare
- C$120 – C$140 (≈ US$3.28–3.83)
- Duration
- 2 h 30 min
- Departures
- Every ~45 min · 4:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Managua → Matagalpa
Leaves from Mayoreo · Managua
- Fare
- C$110 – C$130 (≈ US$3.01–3.55)
- Duration
- 2 h 30 min
- Departures
- Every ~30 min · 5:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Managua → Jinotega
Leaves from Mayoreo · Managua
- Fare
- C$140 – C$160 (≈ US$3.83–4.37)
- Duration
- 3 h
- Departures
- Every ~60 min · 4:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Managua → Juigalpa
Leaves from Mayoreo · Managua
- Fare
- C$110 – C$130 (≈ US$3.01–3.55)
- Duration
- 2 h 30 min
- Departures
- Every ~30 min · 4:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Managua → El Rama
Leaves from Mayoreo · Managua
- Fare
- C$250 – C$300 (≈ US$6.83–8.20)
- Duration
- 6 h
- Departures
- 7 departures · 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Managua → Masaya
Leaves from Huembes · Managua
- Fare
- C$20 – C$25 (≈ US$0.55–0.68)
- Duration
- 1 h
- Departures
- Every ~15 min · 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Managua → Rivas
Leaves from Huembes · Managua
- Fare
- C$90 – C$100 (≈ US$2.46–2.73)
- Duration
- 1 h 45 min
- Departures
- Every ~40 min · 4:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Managua → San Juan del Sur
Leaves from Huembes · Managua
- Fare
- C$110 – C$130 (≈ US$3.01–3.55)
- Duration
- 2 h 30 min
- Departures
- 7 departures · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Managua → León
Leaves from Israel Lewites · Managua
- Fare
- C$55 – C$65 (≈ US$1.50–1.78)
- Duration
- 2 h 15 min
- Departures
- Every ~20 min · 4:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Guides for travellers
The most common questions from first-time visitors, answered step by step.
From Managua airport to anywhere by bus
Augusto C. Sandino airport sits on the Carretera Norte, 15–25 minutes by taxi from the bus terminals. There are no tourist buses from the airport itself: the trick is a short taxi to the right terminal and the bus from there.
Read guide →
How to get to Ometepe island by bus and ferry
Ometepe is reached by ferry or small boat from the port of San Jorge, 15 minutes from Rivas. From Managua the whole trip takes about 3 hours and costs under C$200 (US$5).
Read guide →
How to get to San Juan del Sur by bus
San Juan del Sur is 2 h 30 from Managua. There are direct express buses from Huembes mid-morning and in the afternoon; at any other time, go to Rivas and change buses.
Read guide →
Managua → Granada: UCA minibus or Huembes bus
Granada is one hour from Managua. The UCA minibus is the fastest and most comfortable way; the Huembes bus is cheaper and stops in Masaya.
Read guide →
How to get to Popoyo by bus
Popoyo, Tola's surf beach, has a single direct afternoon bus from Managua. At any other time, get to Rivas and take the Las Salinas bus, about 3 h 30 in total.
Read guide →
How to get to the Corn Islands
Two ways: the La Costeña flight from Managua (1 h 30) or the long overland route: bus to El Rama or Bluefields, speedboat, and then the boat to Corn Island, which only sails on certain days.
Read guide →
Upcoming events
Dates are the traditional ones each year and may change; confirm with the organisers.
- January 17–27
San Sebastián festival and El Güegüense
DiriambaDiriamba honours its patron saint with El Güegüense, a UNESCO-listed satirical dance-drama, the Toro Huaco and the meeting of the saints with Jinotepe and San Marcos.
- Mid-February
Granada International Poetry Festival
GranadaA week of readings, music and a poetic carnival in Granada's colonial streets, with poets from dozens of countries.
- March or April, dates vary
Holy Week on the beaches
San Juan del SurThe busiest week of the year in San Juan del Sur, Pochomil, Las Peñitas and Ometepe: concerts, parties and packed buses. Buy your ticket in advance.
Managua terminals
Each terminal serves one part of the country. Find yours before you set off.
Terminal Mercado Mayoreo
The main terminal for the north, centre and Caribbean side of the country: Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Ocotal, Somoto, Jalapa, Boaco, Juigalpa, El Rama, San Carlos, Siuna and Bilwi.
23 routes →
Terminal Mercado Roberto Huembes
The terminal for the south: Masaya, Granada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur, San Jorge (ferry to Ometepe), Peñas Blancas (Costa Rica border) and Carazo.
11 routes →
Terminal Mercado Israel Lewites (Boer)
The terminal for the west and the Pacific beaches: León, Chinandega, Corinto, Somotillo, El Guasaule, Pochomil, Masachapa, Diriamba and Jinotepe.
13 routes →
Terminal de microbuses de la UCA
Express minibuses that leave when full: Masaya, Granada, León, Jinotepe and Diriamba. The fastest and most comfortable option from central Managua, next to the Central American University (UCA).
5 routes →
Buses by city
Every departure and arrival for each city.
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The full site, including the pages for bus operators and advertisers, is in Spanish. Also available in Chinese and Russian.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an express bus and a local bus?
Express buses (expresos) run directly between major cities with few stops and cost a little more. Local buses (ruteados, the famous “chicken buses”) stop in every town and junction along the way: cheaper but slower. There are also minibuses (interlocales) for 15 to 20 passengers that leave when full, like the ones from UCA in Managua; they are usually the fastest option on short trips.
Which Managua terminal does my bus leave from?
It depends on where you are going. North, centre and Caribbean (Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Juigalpa, El Rama): Mercado Mayoreo. South (Masaya, Granada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur, Costa Rica border): Mercado Roberto Huembes. West and the Pacific beaches (León, Chinandega, Pochomil): Mercado Israel Lewites. Minibuses to Masaya, Granada, León and Carazo leave from UCA, next to the university.
How much does a ticket cost and how do I pay?
We show an indicative fare range in córdobas (C$) with an approximate US dollar equivalent. You pay the conductor in cash once you are on board, in córdobas; small notes are easier. Fares are set by the cooperatives and can change, especially around holidays.
Are the schedules exact?
Routes marked “Verified” were confirmed with the terminal or the operator on the date shown. Routes marked “Indicative” are based on public information and traveller reports: use them as a guide and arrive early. Buses also tend to leave once they are full.
Can I use the site offline?
Yes. The pages you visit are saved on your phone, so you can check the schedule again even without signal on the road.
Can I buy tickets online?
Not yet. International coaches (Tica Bus, TransNica) sell online on their own websites; for domestic buses you buy at the terminal or on board. Online booking is in the works.