A bus ride takes EASILY 5 1/2+ hours from San Jose, Costa Rica. If money wasn’t an issue
& for me in the future, I’d FLY TO LIBERIA
Airport (http://NatureAir.com) & hire a taxi to the border (Peñas Blancas).
(San Jose - 2-256-9072 / 2-282-8283 / 2-203-7162 / 2-203-7163 / Penas Blancas-2-677-0091 / LaCruz 2-679-9323 /
This is the CHEAPEST way to go!! But - there is NO BATHROOMS ON THE BUS (so if you have a weak bladder like me, you might want to stop drink water for about a day or two before). You stop along the way (I want to say though not for about 4 hours out - for about a 15 minute bathroom/food break (note - if you stop at the restaurant on the Left/West side of the highway - if it's after I think around 10:30am - see if the guy [I'm blanking on his name but he's a REAL sweetie!!] is selling the kabobs on the bbque!! They're SOOOOO DELISH!! I usually get some to go as well!! There are also a few other places to eat on either side of them for variety. The bathrooms are VERY CLEAN!). The seats recline a bit (WHEN they work) & some
have a foot bar (for us short legged people). The bus travels up the
Carretera InterAmericana Highway - Route 505.
WHERE TO PICK IT UP FROM: NEW TERMINAL!!!! (their website doesn't even
have the new location on it nor could I find it ANYWHERE else!!):
NOW - Barrio Mexico - Avenida 9 & Calle 12 - in front of the San Carlos bus terminal (I need to verify the Avenida part)
EXCITING NOTE!!!: You can pretty much pick the bus up any way along the
way - just flag it down. The only drawback is if it's full you won't
get on OR you might be standing the whole way. If you have a friend
going with you from downtown, they can purchase your ticket (I believe
it's the same price no matter where you pick it up from). With that
said - when coming back to San Jose, they will drop you off anywhere
along the way you'd like!!!!
DRIVE TIME: 6 hours (EVERYTHING depends on
traffic/accidents in Costa Rica!! The 2 times I've gone so far, each
time took about 7 hours).
San Jose to Peñas Blanca - Here is the LATEST (as of Nov. 29, 2010) schedule I got (though 3 of us called & got 3 different times):
A.M. - 4 / 5 / 5:45 / 7:30 / 9:30 / 10:30am / P.M. - 12:20 / 2:30 / 4:15 / 7pm
Peñas Blanca to San Jose - A.M. - 5:15 / 7:30 (to allow enough time to
catch a taxi from San Juan del Sur to the Frontier, pay the $1
Municipal fee, go through Immigrations on both ends AND buy your ticket
- I'd leave SJDS BY 5:30am for this bus. The office doesn't open till 7am) /
9:30 / 10:30 / noon / P.M.-1 / 2 / 3:30 / 5:30
To Peñas Blancas – 4,580-colones (about $9.09 based on 504-c/$1.
You can pay in Colones or U.S. Dollars). If memory serves me right, you
can ONLY buy your ticket a half hour before departure. You can take it
to Liberia for 3,000-c & get off & stretch for awhile & get
another bus to the border (about 2 blocks away).
OFFICE HOURS:
San Jose - 3am-7pm. Peñas Blancas & La Cruz Mon.-Sat.
7am-5pm (not sure how that works for Sunday departures. They don't answer the phones in San Jose on Sunday the MANY times I've tried reaching them but I DID get them to answer in Peñas Blancas to double check the schedule). (everything is subject to change of course!!)
Why I say this mode of transportation/company & to me this is the
ONLY WAY FOR ME TO GO now that I've done this is by taking it to the
border - at Peñas Blancas on the Costa Rica side, it's an EASY walk to
cross the border (more on that below).
Tica Bus
(CR-506-2-221-8954 / Panama-507-2-221-0006 / 2-223-8680 / 2-248-9636 / 505-222-6094 /
http://TicaBus.com /
http://TicaBus.com/ing_rutas_horarios_costa_rica.htm)
EXECUTIVE: Depart CR – 3AM, arrive in Nicaragua around 10am
COST: Whether you're going to the border/the Frontiera, Rivas (to
connect you to San Juan del Sur) or Managua - you pay the SAME price -
ECONOMY $21/ow
HOURS: DEPARTS COSTA RICA & MINAGUA: 6am, 7:30am,12:30pm - arriving
in Managua, Nicaragua at approximately 2, 3 & 9pm. When coming back
it picks up in RIVAS. I BELIEVE it takes about 3 hours from Managua to
Rivas so plan accordingly.
DEPARTS FROM: N-next to the Villa del Mar bar:
COMING FROM NICARAGUA TO COSTA RICA: MAKE SURE TO BUY A ROUND TRIP
TICKET WITH A RETURN TICKET MARKED "RIVAS" or there's a GOOD chance
they'll give your seat away!!!!!
TransNica
http:/TransNica.com (CR-2-223-4242 / 2-221-6853 / NI-505-270-3133)
COST: Whether you're going to the border/the Frontiera, Rivas (to
connect you to San Juan del Sur) or Managua - you pay the SAME price -
ECONOMY $21/ow
HOURS: DEPARTS COSTA RICA & MINAGUA: A.M. - 4 / 5 / 9 / noon -
arriving in Managua, Nicaragua at approximately 2, 3 & 9pm. When
coming back it stops/picks up in RIVAS & at the NI border in the
Frontiera. I BELIEVE it takes about 3 hours from Managua to Rivas so
plan accordingly.
DEPARTS FROM: SJ: RIVAS: In Rivas in front of the Texaco station.
http://TheBusSchedule.com
NOTE: When you take TransNica or Tico Bus which crosses the border
while you're in it it can take HOURS because you HAVE to wait till they
get EVERYONE to fill out their form, then collect EVERYONE'S passport,
then process EVERY PERSON on the bus!!!!
BORDER CROSSING COSTA RICA TO NICARAGUA
The Costa Rican side is Peñas Blancas. The Nicaraguan side is the Fronterra
(more clarification & LOTS of changes especially coming to this section - just wanted to get it up):
If you're coming across the border via walking (the WAYYYY FASTER way!!) -
FROM COSTA RICA: First you go to the Costa Rican Immigration Office
(inside on your left [they also have a little Food Court on the other
side here]) & fill out a form & they'll stamp you)! There were
only 2 people in front of me (none at the window to pick up the form).
There is NO fee to enter or exit Costa Rica at this border (vs. the $26
Exit fee you pay on all flights or the new $15 Entry Fee when you first
arrive)
IN BETWEEN: Then we walked about 5-8 minutes under a beautiful canopy
for trees though be careful as cars/BIG TRUCKS go through this road
& it's NOT a pedestrian road & directions are NOT marked!!
Follow the traffic).
ON THE NICARAGUAN SIDE: Go to your right to the Nicaraguan Immigration
Office (it's outside so be forwarned in the rainy season plus it can be
hot here!) & fill out another paper & paid $10 US (or the
equivalent in Cordobas) for a "Tarjeta de Turismo"/Tourist Card.
LEAVING Nicaragua we paid a $3 US (or the equivalent in Cordobas)
"Despacho Migratorio" Get these forms at the windows though there's
usually some kid/guy there that speaks English offering to help you
over that usually has the form & he'll help you get across &
get transportation (of course tip him [depending on how hard he works
for you & your finances - $1-$5 is nice]). After you check in in Nicaragua you to through the "gates" into the "Frontera" where you pay $1 each way.
BE PREPARED TO WAIT!!! The first time (beginning of December '08) & the last time (end of Aug. '10) we only had 0-3 people at any of these windows & it took TOTAL MAYBE
1/2 an hour TOTAL from one end to the next!! EASE - but RARE!!! Other times there were lines 2-4+ hours LONG!!
BEST DAYS TO TRAVEL (hence shorter lines hopefully):
From what I've heard/observed - the BEST days to travel with the least amount of people crossing tend to be on Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Mon.
WORST DAYS TO TRAVEL (hence longer lines):
Sun. (not as many employees working yet LOTS of people crossing), Fri. & Sat. (Sat. can go either way).
FIND OUT WHEN HOLIDAYS ARE - ESPECIALLY IN NICARAGUA:
I think the WORST TIMES to travel are from around the 18th of Dec. till the Sun. after New Years. Next - Mothers Day (Nicaragua - May 30th [I think THIS date would be MOST effected as there are LOTS of Nicaraguans that live in Costa Rica]. Costa Rica - Aug. 15). Samana Sante/Easter (this is the same week celebrated in the U.S. - the week before Easter).
With that said - if you take TransNica or Tico Bus, I've heard people
complain of it taking 1-3 hours to cross so ya will NOT see me doing
that mode!! Of course it all depends on when you go (STAY AWAY FROM THE
BORDER [if you can help it] from about the Thurs. before Christmas to
the Tues. AFTER New Years as I have a feeling that's the MOST INSANE
time around, when Nicas go home for the holidays!!)
NOTE on both sides you'll have LOTS of people trying to sell you either
Colones (the currency of Costa Rica), Cordobas (the currency of
Nicaragua) or U.S. $s. This traditionally is NOT the best place to get
money (more on that below under "Money").
Once you've entered Nicaragua at the Fronterra - both ways you'll also
HAVE to pay a $1 US (or the equivalent in Cordobas) each way "Algaldia
Municipal" (something to the city).
NOTE: TRANSPORTATION COMING BACK INTO COSTA RICA FROM THE BORDER:
Sometimes at the border you might get lucky to get someone from
TransNica & TicaBus offering you a MUCH cheaper (someone was
offered $12 vs. the full $24 you'd pay coming from Managua [it's point
of origination])!! Also, sometimes there are people with private vans
that will be looking to fill a vehicle & you can jump on with
others for a 1/2 decent price (& more comfy hopefully!!).
MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR TOURIST CARD & THE APPROPRIATE STAMPS IN YOUR
PASSPORT BOTH DIRECTIONS if you're doing this for a 90-Day Tourist Visa
Run!!!!!
Also BE SAFE & have some sort of ticket (bus is the cheapest)
proving that you are LEAVING COSTA RICA within 90-days. A bus ticket
indicating you're CROSSING THE BORDER (like San Jose to Changanola,
Panama for around $10 is what I did) or sometimes they refuse people
entry into CR without that (so you must plan to run & buy a more
expensive TicaBus ticket or something). I have yet to find them asking
me but I have PROOF in my passport of me FAITHFULLY departing Costa
Rica every 90-days or less but I don't ever want the hassle or to take
a chance so I invest that $10 in a little piece of sanity. I've found
most of the time they won't put a name on the ticket if you ask so you
can gift (or sell) it!
GETTING TO SAN JUAN DEL SUR FROM THE NICARAGUAN BORDER:
My #1 Choice - HIRE A TAXI!! They were basically telling us $25 for 1-4
people (though we crammed all 5 of us into our taxi [another thing I
LOVE about being a voluptuous woman is I usually get to sit up front
myself!!]). This took about 20-30 minutes down a NICE paved road which
had some beautiful sites!! Our driver even stopped along the way to let
us (Josh) take pics of the scenery (like the HUMONGOUS Windmill
Generators being installed & the island with 2 volcanos on it [I
NEED to find my details on that as it's something I want more details
on & may visit in the future!!]).
DRIVERS: Alec took us all FROM the border to San Juan del Sur for $25
(505-449-3790). He's the one that was SOOOO happy to stop along the way
for us to take pics! HIS idea!!
I believe Fernando brought us back FROM San Juan del Sur to the
Frontera (505-823-7714). I think it's best to make arrangements ahead
of time.
I also have a name - Norbet (505-905-0809)???
GETTING TO SAN JUAN DEL SUR VIA BUS:
This part I'm unsure of other than I was told we could take a bus to
Rivas (about a 30 minute, 50¢ ride) then another 30 minutes to San Juan
del Sur. Someone said there was a bus at the Frontiera that took about
40 minutes but I say, if you can spot out a few more people to share a
taxi - invest the $5/per person (or whatever $25 goes into) & take
a TAXI which will take you 20-30 minutes
Getting FROM San Juan del Sur to RIVAS (from the south/East corner across from the Mercado):
5am, 5:45am, 6:30am, 7am, 8am, 8:25am, 9am, 9:30am, 10am, 10:45am, 11:30am, noon, 1pm, 2:20pm, 3:20pm, 5pm.
Rivas to Granada: 6:30am, 7:55am, 10:30am, 11:20am, 12:15pm, 1:55pm, 3:20pm, 4:20pm
EXPRESS BUS TO Managua: 5am (non-stop), 5:45am, 7am, 3:20pm
Most buses go right past the "cruce La Virgen". The local bus from the
Frontier to the "cruce" is 10 cordobas, about $.50. You want to
disembark there & take another local bus to the town of San Juan
del Sur (also 10 cordobas). You can buy a TicaBus ticket locally in San
Juan del Sur to take you back to San Jose, Costa Rica, you will just
need to get yourself to Rivas to meet the bus. In San Juan del Sur
there are many small hospedajes (Hospedaje Rebecca & Hospedaje
Elizabeth were both recommended to me) but only one regular style
hostel, Casa Oro.
Public Buses or "Chicken Buses" are the most economical, but slowest
way to get around Nicaragua. They can also be rather crowded. Most
public buses in Nicaragua are converted school buses from the U.S.
which have been re-painted & equipped with roof racks. Public Buses
will get you where you need to go local style. The bus stop in San Juan
del Sur is in front of the Mercado, & will get you on a bus to
Rivas,
GETTING TO MANAGUA
Ostional Express Buses are the most efficient & cost effective
option for traveling to Managua. These buses have A/C & sometimes
TV. Express buses make much less stops en route compared to "Chicken
Buses". Express buses will take you to the bus station at the Mercado
El Huembes in Managua, where you can hire a taxi to the airport.
International Buses are a safe, comfortable, affordable &
relatively fast way of getting from other Central American countries to
Nicaragua. There are two international bus companies that offer daily
service throughout Nicaragua & to bordering countries. These buses
both leave from Rivas.
GETTING FROM MANAGUA TO SAN JUAN DEL SUR:
Adelante Express
http://SanJuanVan.com / 850-6070 / 850-6064 / Reservations@AdelanteExpress.com)
New, air-conditioned, smoke-free vans, reservation online or on the phone in English, Door-to-Door service.
DEPARTS: Leave Managua Airport at 2pm. Leave San Juan del Sur at 7:15am
PRICE: 1st person - $45/one way / $81/round trip, 2 people in same
group - $70/$126, 3 people - $95/$171, 4 people $120/$216, 5-7 people
$125/$225. Private van betwen 6am-4:45pm - $125. Maderas Turnoff (El
Nido, Mango Rosa, Bulldog Inn, and Los Miradoras) $10 per person.
.
