Travel In Nicaragua

Taxis are plentiful near airports and hotels in Nicaragua. And they’re so cheap that you may want to use them exclusively when foot travel is not possible.

Taxis in the cities can sometimes try to overcharge foreigners, but generally they are helpful and honest. Most of them can be hired for longer-distance inter-city travel if desired, but always agree to a fare before setting out.

Using your American driver’s license, you’ll be able to rent a car from companies with familiar names.

Many of the major U.S. car rental agencies (Alamo, Hertz, Thrifty) have offices at Sandino airport in Managua and rates are not unreasonable. Four-wheel drives are all-but essential if you plan any excursions to out-of-the-way places. Regardless of whether your credit card provides car rental insurance, visitors are strongly advised to opt for local coverage as it will make unwinding from any mishaps far easier.

One domestic carrier, La Costeña, provides service from Managua to Bluefields, the Corn Islands and Puerto Cabezas. Service is fairly reliable, but can be disrupted by bad weather. Being bumped from full flights with no recompense is always a possibility.

There’s plenty of bus service too, both in the bigger cities themselves and between cities.

Public transport within Nicaragua consists primarily of buses that are geared toward local users and not terribly comfortable. With the exception of a few more modern mini-buses and coaches that serve the most popular routes, most service is provided by old yellow school buses. Fares are ridiculously cheap.

If you’re prepared for the weather and for some differences in language and culture, travel in Nicaragua is both easy and enjoyable.