Bluefields, your gateway to the magnificent Corn Islands. But, also a place not to be missed.
Managua to Bluefields
The Mercado Ivan Montenegro is home to the Terminal Costa Atlantica. Which exclusively has service to Bluefields. You can also find buses to El Rama from the Terminal Mayorero.
New direct connection from Managua to Bluefields
There is a new direct connection to Bluefields. The road is still under construction in parts but you can now find a direct bus for 280C$ that takes 8.5 hrs and doesn’t go via El Rama. It seems the other old bus via El Rama isn’t running at the moment, or possibly at all anymore (March 2018).
The schedule is:
From Managua – 9am, 2pm, 9pm, 6am
From Bluefields – 4am, 5.30am, 6.30am, 4pm
You can try calling and reserving you ticket in advance. As one traveller reported in the comments below, this worked for her.
2253-2879 Managua
2517-0073 Rama
2572-0131 Bluefields
Great Travel Blogs
We will have more information soon but for now we can link you to a few great travel bloggers out there who have tried and tested a trip to the Corn Islands without flying. Here are a few we have found particularly good!
DIY Travel HQ: Getting to the Corn Islands without flying
Managua to Corn Islands: Along Dusty Roads
more coming soon….
Can you recommend other great Bluefields/Corn Islands travel blog posts?
I did the trip to Bluefields / Corn Island by bus and ferry two weeks ago. There are supposed to be 8 busses a day going from Managua Mayoreo Terminal directly to bluefields. I got told in the hostel in Granada that right now only one bus is leaving each day. Luckily I did not believe them and went to Managua anyways. It is probable that not every bus is going, but definitely more than one a day.
Normally the schedule is: 6am, 9:15, 11:15, 2:30pm, 5:00, 8:30, 9:30, 11pm. At that day the 9:15 am and the 5pm did not go. In general the bus is a simple chicken Bus ride taking approx 6hrs with 2 stops to eat/drink.
According to the terminal in Managua, the schedule for the bus from Bluefields to Managua is: 4am, 5:30, 6:30, 10:00, 1pm, 4:00, 9:00, 11pm.
Best is to call the terminal before to ask which busses go. I also found this website with the bus schedule for Nicaragua: horariodebuses.com
So far the information were correct.
Did this trip today and can confirm Johanna is correct.
Just in case there is any confusion, Terminal Costa Caribbean is nearby Terminal Mayoreo and NOT Terminal Ivan Montenegro.
Hi all! Does anyone know if or how often the bus to/ from Bluefields stops for toilet breaks etc.? Thanks! Rafael
On the bus leaving at 9:30pm it stopped twice. Once at about 11:30pm and once at about 2:30am.
Took the bus to Bluefields. There are 8 options between 6am and 11pm. Took the one at 11pm. Took me 7 hrs straight to Bluefields. Ticket is for 320 cordobas and its better to get it in advance or reserve a Seat. But dont know if it is possible. People who arrived late, might be send away when it is sold out. Another couple had to argue quite a bit until they let them sit on the ground.
Ferries to big Corn Island leave 2 times a week on Wendsday and Saturday at 9am. Ticket is 255 Cordobas. Takes around 6 hrs. They go back to Bluefields on Thurdsdays and Sundays.
Would upload the timetable for the Busses, but dont know how 😀
We took the bus from Managua to Bluefields yesterday, there are 8 buses per day that leave from Terminal Costa Caribbean at :
6 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, 2:30 PM, 5 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM, 11 PM.
It’s better to book your ticket in advance (there was no space for us for the 9 PM bus!).
It costs 320 cordobas per person.
Take a jacket with you, it can be cold with the windows opened!
Hi, the price is now 320 cordobas per person. Anyone know if Wendelyn Vargas bus service accepts credit card?
Hehe I just called them back. No credit cards accepted, only cash.
Just bought my ticket to Bluefields as well. As stated above, the bus to el Rama with the connection by panga doesn’t exist anymore. Also, i reserved a Ticket in advance, it was very easy and the lady on the phone was super nice. They only need your name to reserve.
Little add on. It is a relatively new chickenbus, not a luxury coach or anything. But totally fine, everyone has a place to sit.
Thank you!
Hello,
I just bought a ticket direct from Managua, Mercado Ivan Montenegro to Bluefields without having to take a panga. The cost was 280C$.
Thanks Bente! Sounds like a great new service option to Bluefields!