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Getting here

Which airport to fly into, how long the drive takes and what transfers cost.

Last checked: October 2026

What is the best airport to fly into for San Juan del Sur?

Most visitors fly into Managua (MGA). It's about 2.5 hours by car to San Juan del Sur with no border to cross. Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) makes sense if it gets you a much better flight, but plan on 3 to 4 hours, including crossing the Peñas Blancas border on foot.

The detail

Managua (MGA)Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
Drive to San Juan del SurAbout 2.5 hoursAbout 2 hours of driving plus 1 to 1.5 hours at the border
Border crossingNonePeñas Blancas land border, crossed on foot
Border hoursNo borderOpen 6am to 10pm
Border feesNoneAbout $25 to $27 in U.S. cash for the round trip
Rental carCan be driven straight to San Juan del SurCosta Rican rentals can't enter Nicaragua
Best forMost travelers, families, late arrivalsTravelers who find a nonstop to Liberia from their city

Nonstop flights to Managua have run from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Houston on American, Avianca, Spirit and United. Check current schedules, because routes change.

How Mantra helps

Mantra Vacations arranges your pickup from either airport, timed to your flight, and can plan the rest of the trip around it: a rental car, a place to stay and your tours.

[For Liberia arrivals: a driver meets you at arrivals, someone helps you through the border, and a second driver waits on the Nicaraguan side.]

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How do I get from Managua (MGA) or Liberia (LIR) to San Juan del Sur?

From Managua, a private transfer is the easiest option: about 2.5 hours door to door. Booking sites list private cars from around $117 per vehicle, and shared shuttles from about $35 per person. From Liberia, shared shuttles run $50 to $70 per person and private vans about $288 for up to four people, with border help included.

The detail

RouteOptionTimeTypical price
ManaguaPrivate car2.5 hoursFrom about $117 per vehicle
ManaguaTaxi2.5 hoursAbout $90 one way
ManaguaShared shuttleAbout 3 hoursFrom $34.50 per person
ManaguaTaxi to Mercado Huembes, then bus3 hours or moreA few dollars, slow with luggage
LiberiaShared shuttle with border helpAbout 3 hours$50 to $70 per person
LiberiaPrivate van with border helpAbout 4 hours$288 for 1 to 4 people, $348 for 5 to 9

If your flight lands late in the afternoon, consider a night in Managua or Granada and driving down the next morning. The highway is much easier in daylight.

Crossing at Peñas Blancas? The border is open from 6am to 10pm, so a late landing in Liberia means a night in Costa Rica. Bring small U.S. bills ($1, $5, $10). Officials rarely have change.

How Mantra helps

Mantra Vacations books your transfer from either airport and times it to your flight. Send us your flight number on WhatsApp and we'll handle the rest.

[Transfer price from $X per vehicle.]

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