These people will pretend to help you for free and then try to charge you something ridiculous when youve crossed over. Explore all of Nicaraguas most famous highlights all in one day on this Nicaragua tour from Costa Rica! The international airport in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) is only a 1h20m drive to the Nicaraguan border and offers a great variety of direct flights from cities in the US, Canada and Europe. You may need to write down some Spanish phrases because not all the officers speak English, especially on the Nicaraguan side. The other two seats are reserved for the previous president and the runner-up in the previous presidential election. This is your chance! Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. Irma is based in San Juan del Sur and can be reached at cell/whatsapp is +505-8513-6033. Alamo and National car rental companies offer this service. As you walk towards the border, youll see lots of trucks. On the Nica side of things, mini-vans pick up/drop off passenger right at the border and take about 45-60 minutes to reach San Carlos. Learn more about our Yoga Program. Also, famous for its cigars and rum! Then we got out to enter Costa Rica and after that finished, they dropped us back home. Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua and a very intellectual district with many student and universities. That is one of the common Costa Rica tourist scams. Driving in Costa Rica: In depth guide with tips and advice for driving in Costa Rica. The tour company takes care of all the border fees, immigration, transportation, guiding and itinerary, making it an easy and convenient day excursion. The cuisine is a mixture of indigenous, Spanish, and Creole cuisine. The exit office is the same office as the entrance, just on the other side. It is exactly how it is before COVID-19. Youll see lots of people selling souvenirs, clothes, food and asking if you need change. by Costa Dulce Team | Oct 28, 2022 | Surfing, Yoga. Do some shopping for inexpensive souvenirs and experience the Nicaraguan life style before sitting down for a typical Nicaraguan lunch. Find true peace and relaxation at Morgans Rock in Nicaragua this tropical oasis features fifteen exotic bungalows. When Walker was finally defeated, there were 30 years of peace. Let us use our experience and help you find the best hotel in Nicaragua! Our second time at the tour we got picked up at Tamarindo at 4:45 AM. The international airport in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) is only a 1h20m drive to the Nicaraguan border and offers a great variety of direct flights from cities in the US, Canada and Europe (here is a list of all direct flights available). In Costa Rica, they are usually a rundown Greyhound-style bus. There is a bathroom outside to the left of the exit office (free). The other 15 are Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Estel, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, and Rivas. Places you visit on the Nicaragua day excursion: We got picked up at 5:30 AM very close to our condo in Playas del Coco. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-13.jpg\/aid11706395-v4-728px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Renting a car in Costa Rica: Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica. Best cities to visit in Nicaragua - colonial Nicaragua cities Granada and Len. Also do not accept any offers from someone claiming they can do the border crossing for you. There is a public restroom outside of the Exit Office that you can use for free. If you do plan on leaving your car at the border, take all of your valuables with you before you go. Click Here to See All Tamarindo Area Tours! When youre done eating, you can walk around and take some photos of Lake Nicaragua. We drove back to the border (about 1.5 hours) and got out to do the border crossing. Costa Rica and Nicaragua Travel Guide | Q COSTA RICA Put the location as your first hotel/hostel and town in Costa Rica. Once you reach the Costa Rican side, head to the right side of the building to go through immigration to enter Costa Rica. area of Costa Rica as its only about an hour and a half to the border from there. La Cruz costa rica located about 20 minutes from the border crossing at Peas Blancas is a beautiful tico town with great views and kiteboarding opportunities in Bahia Salinas. After that, you are now officially in Nicaragua! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and is commonly known as the nation of lakes and volcanoes. The national currency of Nicaragua is called the Crdoba; it was introduced on March 20, 1912, replacing the peso moneda corriente. If you do not have a transit visa or have been in Costa Rica for more than 12 hours you will be required to pay for an exit visa at one of the small offices located about 100 meters back from the customs building on the east side of the highway, before going for your stamp. Passing through Nicaraguan customs is expedited if you have filled out the aforementioned pre entry form. You will be required to pay $14 USD to enter Nicaragua. Exit the building, put your luggage or backpack if you have any through the machine and you are good to go! This country is very diverse in terms of topography. You need to bring your original passport. 12 Best Destinations In Costa Rica For Solo Travelers This route makes sense for people who are in the La Fortuna area of Costa Rica as its only about an hour and a half to the border from there. If traveling from San Jose then you will likely be best on either TicaBus https://www.ticabus.com/ or NicaBus https://www.nicabus.com.ni/ which are international bus lines that offer services direct to Nicaragua. To enter Nicaragua you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport. The restrictions vary year by year and you may have to ask the border patrol guard if you can bring a certain food item in with you. Some people might try to sell you these so walk away and find an immigration officer. If Im not actually flying out, Ill purchase a refundable ticket or many airlines have a 24 hour window where you can cancel without penalty regardless the fare type (like American Airlines). Isleta El Espino Ecolodge. The last branch in the government of Nicaragua is the Judicial branch. Over the years several world-class hotels and resorts have opened making travel through this beautiful land comfortable and safe. A true eco paradise. Usually officers will bother you less if youre in a group. After breakfast, our next stop was Santa Catarina. You can purchase TicaBus tickets ahead of time by visiting. Border patrol officers are used to tourists who dont speak fluent Spanish. Nicaragua is one of Central America's most visited destinations. They also now have a window for you to get a COVID stamp to prove you presented the negative PCR test if required. Your email address will not be published. 2023 Full Day Nicaragua Tour from Costa Rica - Tripadvisor Try to get in line as fast as you can and while you are in line, get all your documents ready to present to the officer. There will be various direct buses to Liberia from San Jose every hour from 6 am to 8 pm. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This branch is the Supreme Court and is the highest judiciary power. Rain during the green season is usually characterized by short but powerful downpours and longer showers at night. The United States, the occupation was filled with brutalities. This is the perfect place to take pictures of the beautiful city and the surroundings. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The second time we did this tour we took a horse carriage ride throughout the town and stopped at a chocolate factory. Yoga and wellness is the key to take care of ourselves, our surroundings, and the people we love. Ecotourism, volcano-viewing and hiking are the attractions of the Isla de Ometepe, with its thrilling twin peaks rising out of the freshwater lake, while further . The round ticket costs 57.50 dollars from Managua and 80.50 from Chinandega. It is flanked by a large tower that houses the church bells. Nicaragua Tour from Costa Rica | One Day - Native's Way Tours wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Your last stop is a one hour boat ride in Lake Nicaragua viewing the Nicaraguan Islets around sunset. 339. When you get inside, you have to pay another $1 USD municipality tax (to the small booth to the right) and $3 USD to exit to the officer who takes your passport. Never pull out a huge wad of cash either. By Native's Way. Last Updated on December 5, 2022 by Kate Storm So, you're heading either to Costa Rica or Nicaragua! NICARAGUA OVERNIGHT OPTION: Stay Overnight in Granada and come back any day you like! Costa Rica has again streamlined entry for visitors post pandemic. However, there are always people who will target tourists and try to scam you. Costa Dulce. Bienvenido a Nicaragua, The land of Lakes and Volcanoes. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-11.jpg\/aid11706395-v4-728px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Usually if this is a one time occurrence and the overstayed time wasnt very long, they can help you sort things out and its not a big deal. A typical meat-with-rice-and-beans set meal will set you back just $2. An incredible, rare sight. You will find everything you need to know about exiting Costa Rica, entering Nicaragua, exiting Nicaragua and entering Costa Rica at the Penas Blancas border. You can pay at one of these offices pictured above, they charge a little more for a convenience fee so the total will be $10 USD. A visit including "setting foot" on Ometepe is another kind of trip. Unfortunately it was a pretty rainy and cloudy day so we couldnt see the crater, but this active volcano is famous for being one of the few in the world and the only one in the western hemisphere where you can actually drive up to the center. On the other hand, Nicaragua is approximately 50,336 square miles (130,370 square kilometers). Best Time to Visit Nicaragua | Climate Guide | Audley Travel US Entry Open for vaccinated visitors COVID-19 testing Not required Quarantine Not required for vaccinated visitors Restaurants Open Bars Masks Recommended in public spaces. Visit the highlights of Nicaragua in One Day, Look into the Masaya Active Volcano Crater, Door-to-door service: Pick-up and Drop-off at your hotel. The vast majority of travellers going from Costa Rica to Nicaragua (and vice versa) will travel via the Peas Blancas border crossing. You will then head back to Costa Rica, stopping on the way to pick up some snacks for the ride home. Now with COVID, they are more strict about perpetual tourists (people who live in Costa Rica as a tourist and do a border run to renew their tourist visa) so it is best to present a flight itinerary confirmation. I stopped a woman once who was about to pay $20 for a form! If you are heading straight to the border from the airport you can get a transit visa which will save you the $10 exit tax if you leave the country within 12 hours of arrival. Your guide will stop by Monkey Island consisting only of monkeys that will come out and take food from your guide on the boat! Now, walk outside and follow the buses and groups of people towards Nicaragua. To enter Costa Rica you will only be required to provide proof of onward travel (return plane ticket or international bus ticket departing Costa Rica) and reservation details for your lodging (this can be in Nicaragua). If traveling from San Jose then you will likely be best on either TicaBus, which are international bus lines that offer services direct to Nicaragua. The national drink of Nicaragua is the wonderful Flor de Cana, one of the best rums in the world. Taxi Though there are plenty of options, on the Costa Rican side we have been very happy with the Johnny Transfers based in Liberia Cell/Whatsapp +506 6158 1814. Getting here is part of the adventure! In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. Lake Nicaragua is freshwater lake with a size of 8,264 km. By traveling with a driver and guide, first-time visitors to Nicaragua can see the country's southern highlights without the hassle of navigating . Can I travel to Nicaragua? Travel Restrictions & Entry - KAYAK Thinking of Visiting an island or Volcano on your next trip? Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way. Nicaragua is known for natural splendor, adventure tourism and unlike other parts of Central America and Costa Rica, this country still has many of its colonial charm as can be found in the city of Granada. Jan and eastern season) so it can get a bit annoying waiting many hours there). Tres Leches is a common dessert in the cuisine of Nicaragua. IMPORTANT: You must have cash in USD for this. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-10.jpg\/aid11706395-v4-728px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. First we passed through the city to take a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua which was my favorite part of the tour. The distance from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Managua, Nicaragua, is 261 miles or 420 kilometers. A lot of people use Onward Ticket to rent a ticket. Its about a thirty minute taxi ride to San Juan del Sur which costs around $25 USD. The Pacific lowlands are famous for Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America measuring over 150 km long and 75 km wide. Travel Style. Extreme cases are taken into consideration. What are you waiting for? You can also pay this online on the Banco de Costa Rica website for $8 USD. Leaving Nicaragua is about the same process. The Nicaraguans are generally warm and friendly people with a very hospitable spirit. Diamante Eco Adventure Park (get 10% off): Adventure park in Gulf of Papagayo with a zipline, animal sanctuary, local house with chocolate/coffee/sugar cane tour, botanical garden and a beach. From here, youll have a panoramic city view of Granada, Mombacho Volcano, and Nicaragua Lake with the islets. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It may be helpful to carry a pen with you to fill out this form. Granada a city of wonderment. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. On a beach nestled in a by Nathan Scott | Oct 18, 2021 | Uncategorized. Nicaragua islands . Buses will drop you off at the border so that you can cross on foot. Getting to Nicaragua is a journey that is well worth any inconvenience it may bring. Bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Costa Rica is about 19,730 square miles (51,100 square kilometers). Isletas de Granada, Nicaragua. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-09.jpg\/v4-460px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-09.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-09.jpg\/aid11706395-v4-728px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-09.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Your guide will stop by Monkey Island consisting only of monkeys that will come out and take food from your guide on the boat! Once you have checked out of Costa Rica you will walk about 300 meters along the road that leads to Nicaragua before passing through a checkpoint where first the Costa Rican and then a few steps later the Nicaraguan customs officials will ensure that you have your Costa Rica exit stamp on your passport. If youve ever wanted to have your own private island and build a house on it, this is a premiere place to do so! Hacienda Guachipelin:Adventure park next to Rincon de la Vieja National Park that has rooms, ziplining, horseback riding tours, white water tubing, mud baths, hot springs, waterfalls and an terrarium. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-03.jpg\/v4-460px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-03.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-03.jpg\/aid11706395-v4-728px-Travel-from-Costa-Rica-to-Nicaragua-Step-03.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. In the central highlands there are many mountains, and on these, the temperature can be considerably cooler. Bring a printed copy of your test result. Why no do both at the same time on the Ometepe Island? Then after, you will get in the entrance line and pay a $12 USD tax to the immigration officer who takes your passport. Value for the Crdoba coins are C$5 and C$1 and 50, 25, 10, and 5. You will be allowed to walk around freely for a while before getting back in the bus and heading to the next stop. This disaster allowed for the Sandinistas to gain power, which many Nicaraguans supported. Confirmation will be received at time of booking, Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking. Nicaragua is a great place to learn but many try and do it at the crowded and more popular surf breaks. Bring small USD bills if you want to purchase souvenirs. Come see the Masaya Volcano. Sometimes the officers will ask questions, sometimes not. Passports from countries such as the U.S and Canada receive an automatic Nicaraguan Visa upon entry. They also have kebab, vegetarian and chicken options. Sunscreen, Passport, Proof of flight out of Costa Rica, US Dollars to buy souvenirs, Entry Requirements to Nicaragua Proof of Full Vaccination OR Negative PCR Covid-19 test within 72 hours of Entry, Hacienda Pinilla/JW Marriott: 4:00 AM (please let reception or security know we are coming to pick you up), Tamarindo Hotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:30 AM, Langosta Hotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:20 AM, W/Westin Conchal, BrasilitoHotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:45 AM, Playa Grande, Flamingo, PotreroHotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:30 AM, Catalinas: 4:15 AM ($60 transport fee per booking, not per person), RIU Hotels MAIN SECURITY GATE (not lobby): 4:45 AM (bring copy of passport), Playas del Coco Hotels, Condos, Houses:5:20 AM, Playa Hermosa & Playa Panama Hotels (Villas Sol, Condovac, Secrets Papagayo, Occidental Papagayo, Mangroove), Condos Houses: 5:30 AM, Andaz/Planet Hollywood/Fours Seasons: 5:00 AM ($50 transport fee per booking, not per person). Sometimes the officer doesnt ask anything at all. What followed was Somozas son creating the Sandinista movement to go up against Shick. However, any officer can stop you on the road to check your stamp and your negative COVID test result. Its a very yogi word thats blowing across all of our vocabulary. The Mayans who used to live in this area would sacrifice beautiful women at the cross whenever the volcano erupted or rumbled. Tamarindo/Conchal/Flamingo/Portrero/Brasilito, Andaz/Four Seasons/Occidental/Planet Hollywood/Secrets. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Nicaragua accepts USD but NOT Costa Rican colones so you do not need to exchange. Full Day Nicaragua Tour from Costa Rica. For each tour, Natives Way has carefully selected guides who have extensive knowledge of the area to guarantee an authentic Costa Rican experience for you. In some cases, especially when coming from Europe, flying into San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) though 5h30m from the border is the way to go. From here, you'll have a panoramic city view of Granada, Mombacho Volcano, and Nicaragua Lake with the islets. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Apr 2023 Couples. The Executive branch of the government includes the President, the Vice President and the Cabinet, whose members are appointed by the President. Stop at La Merced Church, considered one of the most beautiful buildings of Granada. Once immigration finds out, you will be kicked out of the country and be denied entry for an undisclosed period of time (depends on your situation). Geographic coordinates: 13:00 North, 85:00 West. An extensive route through Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama will be better than any previous adventure. Ive heard about some people having trouble or being scared at the border but luckily I, a Asian-American female have never had a major problem and I have crossed alone and with other people.