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!
Manágua UCA to Masaya, 25C, nobody ask me to pay for the backpack, got it on my knees. 👌
We took the bus today from UCA to Granada. The guy quoted 140C$ each at first (as we had our large bags on the seats). We questioned it (translation issues) and he changed it to 100C$. I told him I knew it was 76C$ (for the 2 seats) and he immediately dropped to 80C$ which we paid. If they try to charge more tell them you know how much it is.
We took the bus today. The guy quoted 140C$ each at first (as we had our large bags on the seats). We questioned it (translation issues) and he changed it to 100C$. I told him I knew it was 76C$ (for the 2 seats) and he immediately dropped to 80C$ which we paid. If they try to charge more tell them you know how much it is.
March 2023
Managua UCA to Granada.
If you have a backpack that you can’t fit under the seat you’ll pay for 2 seats. One for you and one for your backpack.
38 Cordoba x 2 = 76 Cordoba.
If they try to overcharge more like the older lady posted. 100C + 100C ask for the phone number for the company and say you will call to complain. The driver will definitely change his mind about ripping you off at that point.
March 2023
Managua UCA to Granada.
If you have a backpack that you can fit under the seat you’ll pay for 2 seats. One for you and one for your backpack.
38 Cordoba x 2 = 76 Cordoba.
If they try to overcharge more like the older lady posted. 100C + 100C ask for the phone number for the company and say you will call to complain. The driver will definitely change his mind about ripping you off at that point.
Hi
Just so people become aware of a growing problem.
I took a bus from UCA to Granada. I was told there was no room for my backpack except on the seat next to me, which I had to pay for.
When I reach my destination other passengers got off. The conductor shut the door and barred my way off until I paid him. I had my wallet in my hand whilst this was happening.
He charged me 100C for me and100C for my backpack. He opened the door and allowed me to leave. I am a 63 year old woman, travelling alone and this is my first experience of this behaviour while travelling.
Managua UCA – Leon, Dec 2022 Update: C$78.00 Fare is posted inside the minibus above the driver.
Dezember 2022 Granada to Managua UCA with mircrobus: 37 cordoba. But they charged our luggage the same price. It you don’t agreed they will unload.