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 38m$230–600Bus via Liberia
cheapest- Take the bus from Managua Mercado Huembes to Rivasbus
- Take the bus from Peñas Blancas to Liberia - Estación de Servicio EMESAbus Mga
- Take the bus from Terminal Pulmitan Liberia to Gran Terminal del Caribe, San Josébus
8h 23m$18–24Bus
- 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 #2
- Take the bus from Managua to Terminal TransNicabus Managua
9h$32–40Bus via Colegio Cristo Rey
- Take the bus from Terminal Managua - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus Mga
13h 7m$30–50
Nicaragua to Costa Rica by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is to bus via Liberia which costs $18 - $24 and takes 8h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 3h 38m and costs $230 - $600.
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 which takes 8h 19m and costs $37 - $38.
It takes approximately 3h 38m 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 38m and costs $230 - $600. Alternatively, you can bus, 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?
Copa Airlines, World Ticket, and SANSA 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
- worldticket.com
Flights from Managua Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $180–1,300
- Phone
- +505 2222 2276
- [email protected]
- Website
- Nica Bus
Bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBus
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $37–38
- Website
- Nica Bus
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 Want to know more about Flixbus?, How to get from Southend Airport into central London, and How to get from Luton Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
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