Bus from Managua to Rivas
Local Pullmans + microbuses · ~2 hours via Pan-American Highway · US$3-25 · Multiple daily to Pacific southwest transit hub
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The Managua → Rivas route is the standard transit to Nicaragua's Pacific southwest transit hub — gateway to Ometepe + San Juan del Sur + Costa Rica border. ~2 hours south of Managua.
Spring Bus connects you to operators on this route — local Pullmans + microbuses ($3-7 USD) + Tica Bus / Transnica / Pullmantur cross-border Pullmans ($15-25 USD, comfortable A/C reserved seats).
Route details: Managua to Rivas
Travel time
2 h
Distance
115 km
Typical fare
$3 – $25 USD per person
Frequency
Multiple daily Pullmans + microbuses every 30-60 min
First departure
Approx. 5:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 6:00 PM
Operators on this route
Local Pullmans · Microbuses · Tica Bus / Transnica / Pullmantur cross-border
Pickup at Managua
Mercado Roberto Huembes terminal + Tica Bus / Transnica / Pullmantur terminals for cross-border Pullmans
Drop-off at Rivas
Rivas central bus terminal — short taxi to San Jorge ferry port for Ometepe (~5 km, $2-5 USD), San Juan del Sur (~30 min), or Peñas Blancas Costa Rica border (~30 min)
About the journey
The Managua → Rivas route is the standard transit to Nicaragua's Pacific southwest transit hub — ~2 hours south on the Pan-American Highway. Local Pullmans + microbuses + cross-border Tica Bus / Transnica / Pullmantur all run this corridor. From Rivas, onward connections to Ometepe (via San Jorge ferry), San Juan del Sur, or Peñas Blancas Costa Rica border.
Travel tips for Managua → Rivas
- Tica Bus / Transnica / Pullmantur cross-border Pullmans for travelers continuing to Costa Rica — Pullman stops in Rivas en route to San José.
- Local Pullmans + microbuses for budget travelers — $3-7 USD.
- Onward to Ometepe: short taxi to San Jorge ferry port (~5 km, $2-5 USD) + ferry to Moyogalpa (~1 h, $1.50-3 USD).
- Onward to San Juan del Sur: microbus or taxi (~30 min, $3-8 USD).
- Onward to Costa Rica via Peñas Blancas: local bus + walk across border, or stay on Tica Bus / Transnica direct to San José.
- Buses every 30-60 min during daytime — minimal pre-booking.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Managua to Rivas?
**About 2 hours** on local Pullman or microbus, similar on Tica Bus / Transnica cross-border Pullman.
How much is the bus from Managua to Rivas?
**US$3-7 per person** on local Pullman or microbus. **US$15-25 per person** on Tica Bus / Transnica cross-border Pullman (continuing to Costa Rica).
How do I get from Rivas to Ometepe?
**Short taxi to San Jorge ferry port** (~5 km east of Rivas, $2-5 USD), then **ferry to Moyogalpa on Ometepe** (~1 hour, $1.50-3 USD/person). **5-7 daily ferries** in each direction.
How do I get from Rivas to San Juan del Sur?
**Local microbus or taxi from Rivas terminal** — ~30 minutes, $3-8 USD.
What time do buses leave Managua for Rivas?
**Multiple daily — every 30-60 minutes** from Mercado Roberto Huembes, 5 AM to 6 PM.
Going the other direction?