How To Get From Managua To Bluefields: Revealed!
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Table of Contents
How To Get From Managua To Bluefields
Getting To Bluefields By Plane
Getting To Bluefields By Bus
Can You Book Tickets For The Bus In Advance?
How Is The Bus Journey From Managua To Bluefields?
What To Do Once You Arrive In Bluefields
More Tips On Traveling In Central America
So you landed here because you’re trying to figure out how to get from Managua to Bluefields. I assume you’re about to go to the paradise of the Corn Islands (be it Big or Little Corn Island). Because in Bluefields, there is nothing, but nothing at all… but more on that later.
This article will give detailed information on how to get from Managua to Bluefields. I made this journey on my own and will explain everything step-by-step, so check it out.
How To Get From Managua To Bluefields
You can get from Managua to Bluefields either by plane or local bus. If you want to fly, the only airline operating this route is called La Costeña. If you take a bus, you must go to the Maoyreo bus station in Managua (a taxi can drive you there), and it takes 7 hours to get to Bluefields.
So now you know that you have 2 options for getting from Managua to Bluefields. Let’s break each option down with costs, departure times, and more information.
Getting To Bluefields By Plane
The first option you have is to fly from Managua. It’s operated by the La Costeña Airline. You can choose between two departure times, 7:00 am or 2:00 pm.
The journey costs around $130 if you buy it less than a month before departure. If you buy it more than one month in advance, it’ll cost you around $100. Check the La Costeña website for exact prices, as they might change.
It takes just 45 minutes by plane from Managua to Bluefields.
But as I mentioned before, I assume, you’re going to the Corn Islands. Because, let’s be honest, who would really want to go to Bluefields :D. There is nothing against this place, but there is nothing to do. And it’s not the most charming spot if I am completely honest.
So if you want to fly to the Corn Islands, even better for you as you’ll skip Bluefields on the way.
The flight from Managua to the Big Corn Island takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs around $30 more than to Bluefields.
Check out my article about how to get to Corn Island from Managua. It’ll give you detailed information about the plane as well as buses and ferry.
Getting To Bluefields By Bus
Getting to Bluefields by bus is a whole lot of adventure. Firstly, because everybody tells you different information about departure times and prices. Secondly, because the bus and how people work in Nicaragua are super funny. But let me explain to you in more detail.
There is a direct bus from Managua to Bluefields. Which is amazing. It used to be that it only got you to a place called ‘El Rama,’ and you still had to catch a boat to Bluefields. Luckily, it has changed. As of 2023, there is a direct bus from Managua to Bluefields.
The entire bus journey takes about 7 hours and costs 320 Nicaraguan cordobas.
It leaves from the ‘Maoyreo bus station.’ You can get to the Maoyreo station by taxi, as it’s far from the center of Managua.
PRO TIP: If you enter the Maoyreo bus station by car (in a taxi), you have to pay an entrance fee of 20 cordobas. So you can tell the taxi driver to leave you in front of the gate to the bus station to avoid paying this fee. As a passenger, you don’t have to pay the entrance fee.
There are different departure times during the day. Check out the photo below for these timings, which I took directly at the Maoyreo bus station.
EXPLANATION: Salida is a Spanish word for departure. On the left side of the photo, you have all departure times to Bluefields. The names after each time are just the names of the buses that run:
Can You Book Tickets For The Bus In Advance?
Sometimes it’s possible to reserve the tickets one day before departure. Go to the counter at Mayoreo station and tell them you want to reserve tickets for the bus to Bluefields. They’ll write your name down in their notebook. You can also pay for the tickets on the day of departure (what I would do rather than pay one day ahead).
You can also come to the station one hour before departure and buy your ticket directly. But there is no guarantee there will still be spots available on the bus.
PRO TIP: I suggest going to the Mayoreo station in the afternoon before and only reserving the tickets. Also, double-check at the counter that the bus is really going and ask additional questions. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that you can depart to Bluefields the next day. Then pay for your tickets on the day of your departure.
How Is The Bus Journey From Managua To Bluefields?
It’s pretty comfortable and fun. We didn’t have any issues on the way. The bus departed Managua on time (we went at 9:15 am). It stops twice on the way. Each time, there is a local restaurant with bathrooms. The food is good, so you don’t have to worry about hunger.
The bus departed on time, exactly at 9:15 am. We arrived in Bluefields just after 7 hours, at around 4:15 pm.
What To Do Once You Arrive In Bluefields
The bus station in Bluefields is slightly far away from the center. So you’ll have to take a taxi. No stress. Once you arrive, wait for your luggage/backpack; when you have everything, take a taxi. The taxis are reliable in Bluefields. There will be plenty of taxi drivers right next to the bus waiting. Speak to one and tell him to drive you to your hotel/hostel.
The taxi ride from Bluefields station to the center costs 30 cordobas (as of February 2023). Sometimes, the drivers take advantage of tourists not knowing exact prices and they can easily ask for 100 cordobas for the ride. This is way too much. Just tell them you know it only costs 30 cordobas.
It’s normal if they put your luggage on top of the car. And it’s also normal that you’ll share a ride with different other passengers. So just relax and enjoy the ride through Bluefields until your hotel/hostel is on the turn.
More Tips On Traveling In Central America
This is the way how to get from Managua to Bluefields. It’s pretty straightforward. There is nothing to be afraid of. If I can give you one advice it would be to ask directly the official offices or people who work at specific places. For instance, if you want to take a bus, go directly to the station from which the bus departs. Ask a lady at the counter that sells the tickets. She’ll know the best since she works at the place.
If you plan to visit the Corn Islands, check out my detailed article about how to get to Corn Island from Managua.
In case you plan to travel from Costa Rica, read my article about how to get from Costa Rica to Nicaragua.
Generally, I also highly recommend learning a few words and phrases in Spanish before traveling to Central America. Most people don’t speak English. It’s much easier to get around if you speak at least a word of Spanish.
I also teach my audience how to learn a language for travel. So if you want to start learning Spanish, check it out. It’s an easy process that will improve your life in Nicaragua.
