Traveling from San Jose, Costa Rica, to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, has been a popular trip for locals, ex-pats, and visitors wanting a short vacation to another country.
Planning a journey to San Juan del Sur is an exciting adventure filled with stunning landscapes and cultural experiences.
Whether you’re a backpacker seeking budget-friendly options or a traveler looking for a more comfortable journey, we’ll outline various methods to suit your preferences.
Quick answer (just for you):
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to San Juan del Sur is by bus to Rivas, followed by a chicken bus to San Juan del Sur (USD 26–42 + USD 1, around 8 hours). The most popular option is a shared shuttle (USD 72–89, around 7.5 hours), while the fastest way is by flight to Managua and then a bus or transfer (1-hour flight + 2-hour drive).
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential information and travel tips to make your trip seamless.
All recommendations are based on my travels and checked with transportation expert Jean Nájera from GuateGo.
How far is San Juan del Sur from San Jose?
The distance between San Jose and San Juan del Sur is 199 miles or 320 kilometers.
Getting to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, from San Jose
1. Bus
To reach San Juan del Sur via bus, you first must travel from San Jose to Rivas, Nicaragua.
Rivas is actually a popular entry point to the country because several public buses go to different parts of Nicaragua from there.
From San Jose, bus companies that travel to Rivas include Tica Bus, Nica Bus, and Central Line.
The earliest trip you can get is with the Tica Bus, which leaves at 3 AM. The last trip of the day is serviced by Nica Bus and leaves at 11:55 PM.
It is important to choose the earliest or latest bus trip when going to Rivas. That way, you arrive in broad daylight, avoiding unnecessary hassles or security issues you may encounter if you arrive at nighttime.
During your bus trip, you will make a short stop for legalities. You must pay exit tax to Costa Rica and entry tax to Nicaragua.
In Nicaragua customs, you will be asked to go down, present your baggage for inspection, and obtain your clearance. Your bus operator will guide you through the whole process.
In Rivas, you will be dropped off at a waiting shed where you can catch a chicken bus going to San Juan del Sur.
It costs 26 to 42 USD to travel from San Jose to Rivas by bus. Add about a dollar for the chicken bus ride. The total travel time is about eight hours.
2. Shared Van Shuttle
Enjoy the comfort of being picked up either from the Juan Santamaria International Airport or your hotel in San Jose with this shared shuttle service to San Juan del Sur.
It takes seven and a half hours to reach San Juan del Sur via shuttle. Depending on your choice of shuttle provider, the cost for this trip ranges from 72 to 89 USD.
Transport companies have limited departure times for this route, so make sure to plan your arrival or check-out accordingly.
Easy Ride Costa Rica has daily shared shuttle services leaving San Jose between 7:30 and 8:30 AM. On the other hand, Caribe Shuttle has vans traveling to San Juan del Sur from 5 AM to 12 PM. Be aware of the limited baggage allowance that these companies might have.
Be ready to switch vans during your trip if the transport company requires you to. As with other modes of transport, there will be a short stop for legalities.
You must pay an exit tax of 9 USD to Costa Rica and an entry tax of 13 USD to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua customs, you will be asked to go down, present your baggage for inspection, and obtain your clearance.
3. Private Transfer
The shuttle transport companies we are considering for the shared shuttle option will most likely have private transfers as well.
This is a perfect choice if you think you cannot meet the demands of a shared shuttle regarding the time of departure and other restrictions.
A private van transfer allows you to travel with your group of people at your own pace. The number of baggage you can bring is also unlimited, and pets are most welcome to come with you to San Juan del Sur.
Reaching Nicaragua from Costa Rica via private transfer will take about seven hours. This highly depends on the number of stops you make and how long you intend to stay at each stop.
The cost of this option can reach up to 500 USD for a trip, regardless of the number of people in your party.
4. Flight
There is no airport in San Juan del Sur, so you cannot fly directly from Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The closest airport to San Juan del Sur is in Managua (MGA), which is 65 miles or 104 kilometers away from your point of destination.
The cost to fly from SJO to MGA ranges from 243 to 347 USD. Carriers such as Avianca and Copa travel this route. A direct flight takes about an hour to complete.
You will have many choices for going from Managua to San Juan del Sur. You can hop on a bus from Mercado Huembes, an airport shuttle, a private transfer, a taxi, or a rent-a-car.
It depends on how fast and efficient you would like to arrive at San Juan del Sur.
5. Rental Car
Driving by rental car is not advisable at all. Because of the border control, which will restrict you from bringing the car across another country, the paperwork and added fees are a hassle to partake in.
While it is possible to hire a vehicle to drive yourself to Nicaragua regardless of other formalities to consider, leading rental companies do not allow a one-way option.
You must rent a car from San Jose to the Costa Rica side of Penas Blancas and then leave the car with a company representative.
You can pass by the border on your own and arrange for another rented car once you reach the Nicaraguan side of the border.
Looking for a car company to make this option possible for you is quite a challenge.
6. Uber or taxi
You can hire a taxi or an Uber from San Jose to the Costa Rica side of Peñas Blancas. The fare depends greatly on the day and time of your booking.
You will have to pass by customs on your own from the border and continue your journey to San Juan del Sur by taking a chicken bus.
My Tip:
If you’re looking for stress-free border crossing and comfort, the shared shuttle is my favorite option. The operators help with paperwork, and you arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy San Juan del Sur!
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