Reviewed Oct 29, 2026
San Carlos, on the shore of Lake Cocibolca, is the gateway to the Río San Juan. It is 6 hours by bus from Managua; from there everything moves by boat: El Castillo downriver and the Solentiname islands across the lake.
Express buses from Mercado Mayoreo every two hours from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM, about 6 hours and C$250–300. The road is paved.
Shared boats from the municipal dock at 6:30, 8:00, 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 (plus 10:30 in high season), 2–3 hours downriver, C$75–90. Buy tickets at the dock's ticket office; for the first boat, the day before.
Shared boat only on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:00 PM (C$80–100, 2–3 hours), returning the same days at 4:30 AM. On other days you need a private boat (about US$100 per day).
Boats leave San Carlos for the Las Tablillas / Los Chiles border post; buses into Costa Rica wait on the other side.
Approximate cost
Bus C$250–300 + boat to El Castillo C$75–90 or to Solentiname C$80–100.
Send it to whoever is travelling with you.
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.
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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).
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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.
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