The first thing you need to know about this the UCA Microbus Terminal is that UCA is pronounced “ooka”. Learn this and every taxi driver in Managua will know where you want to go. The second thing to learn is that travelling by microbus is significantly more comfortable than travelling by an ordinary bus. They are faster and overall more comfortable for only a small price difference – although slightly less adventurous 😉
Looking for Peñas Blancas, Rivas or San Jan del Sur? You need to head to the Mercado Roberto Huembes .
This UCA microbus Terminal in Managua is essentially just a line up of small passenger vans with clear signage of who is going where. The drivers are generally quite friendly. The busses leave when they are full and so if there are a lot of people in line you may have to wait a bit – although unlikely very long. On average they leave about every 20 minutes.
If you arrive and you need a taxi – they pull up regularly here to drop people off so one is not hard to find. I am pretty sure that every time I arrive here I am quoted some astronomically high fare by the taxi drivers. The last one wanted $10 USD for 2km because I had a surfboard. Nope! I don’t tend to haggle on price too hard, if it is within 20-30C$ I am ok with it, but if you feel like everyone is trying to rip you off by too much, try crossing the street and getting a taxi from there. There are definitely honest drivers out there in the city.
Most of the information on this page is from 2017 when I update the prices and spoke to each driver. They are as follows.
Managua UCA to Granada
Microbuses to Granada leave when full cost 33C$ (Dec 2018) and take 1hr 20min – 1hr 3omin depending on number of stops. Hours of operation are 5am to 9pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 5:30am to 8pm and Sunday 6am to 7pm.
Managua to Masaya
Microbuses to Masaya leave when full and they cost 19C$. The trip takes just under 1hr. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 6am – 7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 6pm. Halfway through the trip the bus will pass the entrance to the Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya so if you’re getting off here try to sit close to the front.
Managua to León
Microbuses to León leave when full, cost 71C$ as of Sept 2018 and takes between 1.5 hrs and 2hrs depending on how many stops you take. Hours of operation are 4am to 8pm Monday to Sunday.
Managua to Jinotepe
To Jinotepe microbuses leave when full, cost 33C$ and take a little more than 1hr. Hours of operation are 5am until 9pm Monday to Saturday and 6am to 7pm on Sunday.
Hustle
Don’t be shocked if you are almost accosted by the guys working for competing shuttles. The last time I did this I was literally pulled in two directions by two different people. I thought that this was because I was obviously a tourist, but I soon realized they do this to pretty much everyone. Even little old ladies. It is definitely annoying, but rest assured it isn’t dangerous – some even laugh a their game. The drivers of these microbuses are definitely hustlers. Not in the sense that they will rip you off, but in that they will do everything they can to maximize their profit by getting as many people on the bus as possible.
Help your fellow traveller
If you have taken any of the buses on this page, please drop us a comment below about how the trip went, what time you left, how long it took and what it cost. And, definitely let us know if we have anything wrong.
Lets help each other in our travels!
Hi there!
I just wanted to post an update on the price from Managua to León. We have taken the microbus both to Leon and back to Managua and paid 61C$ each way.
Our drive back from Leon felt surprisingly short, probably because the next trip to Granada took longer than expected (because of the multiple stops on the way to pick up/drop off people). Unfortunately, we didn’t check the time, but I think it matches your and Valentina’s accounts.
Is it easy to travel with luggage on this route. I have an average size suitcase and want to know if it will fit.
Jessica, yes it is easy to travel with luggage. They often charge for bags these days if they take up an area where someone could be sitting. We have been getting reports from travellers that they are charging more often for luggage even if it isn’t taking up an extra space. The driver and helper will make it work but you may have to pay an extra 20$+ . Have a great trip!
Thanks, Anni! So cool of you to take the time to help out. I have updated the prices. 🙂
I’m in Managua right now and took a van to Granada and another to León.
Price are 29 and 34 córdobas each route, but the time it took to get to both cities was a bit longer.
To Granada (45km); 1,5 hours (leaving Managua 8.00 AM) because of the several stops they do on the road to drop/pick people.
To León (80km), the trip was almost 2h; in the morning and a bit more in the afternoon, but this route is w/o stops on the road.
Thank you, Valentina! I altered the times above so that travellers know if there are extra stops the trip may take a bit more time. I am going to leave the Leon price at 54C$ since I took it twice and it was that price. Maybe you got lucky and got a discount! Happy travels and if you see any other missing info, please let us know. Thank you for helping your fellow travellers!
Is there a bus from Managua to Sahsa? (end of August) Any idea of the cost? Thanks
Hi Michael, I am not sure I know where Sahsa is. Sorry!
-Big Bag Charge-
I took a micro bus from UCA to Leon about a week ago, and they charged me about C$30 more to bring my 70 liter backpack. Just thought I’d share.
Hey Maples, thanks for sharing. That’s pretty lame about the bag charge – did it take up a seat or room where someone would sit? My last UCA from Leon they charged me double b/c I had a surfboard. My board fit in the hatch and didnt take up any room. I will make a note above to give travelers the heads up.
cuanto vale viajar de managua a matagarpa en micro
Hola Jose, lo siento, no tenemos informacion sobre los buses desde UCA a Matagalpa. Hay buses de Managua a Matagalpa del Mercado Mayoreo. Cuesta aproximatamente 20-30 cordobas con bus ordinario. Tendremos mas informacion pronto.
How do I get from UCA to the airport? How much should it cost and how long would it take? Thanks!
Hi Merrill, your two choices are taxi and local city bus. Unfortunately, I don’t have the details for how to get between the two on local bus. A taxi should cost you around somewhere around 100-150 Cordobas.
I will be coming from Granada to the US embassy then need to get Mayoreo for the last express bus at 4 pm to Jinotega. Is it true also I need to purchase the ticket earlier in the day for that last express bus or I may not get on? Any help will be appreciated
Can you get to RIVAS, using the UCA microbuses?
Thanks!
Hello Madeline! Unfortunately you can not get to Rivas from the UCA station. You will need to go to the Mercado Roberto Huembes bus station. From there you can find two options: express bus to San Juan del Sur, as well as regular and express service to Rivas. I have not checked the schedule for the SJDS bus since January of this year, but previous the bus left twice a day to San Juan del Sur at 9:30am and 4pm. There is also a bus to Rivas that leaves left more frequently – several times per day. These “chicken buses” are not as nice and comfortable as the buses from the UCA station but be sure to ask for the “express” bus when you arrive at the Mercado Roberto Humebes station for a faster service to Rivas. Good luck and have a great trip!