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Managua to Bluefields to Corn Island

Submitted by drlemcor on Wed, 2009/12/09 - 20:16.
0

Greetings and Saludos Nicaliving. I've spent the last 18 months working on my English degree and manning a cubical. It's below freezing outside and my world has transformed into a grey and white blur.

My parents have been living in Panama city, Panama for awhile now, and my brothers and I are planning a trip down to see them. Origionally, the modest plan was to fly directly into Panama--but that was before I had my say.

We are now planning a trip that includes visits to El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Right now, these are the broad strokes:

1) Fly into Managua and see some local sites. 2) Travel (somehow) across the country to Bluefields. I had heard somewhere that it is possible to make part of this trip by river... 3) Travel (by boat or plane) to Corn Island and enjoy the white sand beaches and crystal clear ocean. 4) Travel back to the Atlantic side of Nicaragua in order to find tranportation (by bus?) into Costa Rica. 5) Spend a few days enjoying Costa Rica and then Travel down into Panama. 6) Meet up with parents in Panama and have them show us around. 7) Travel to El Salvador and Guatemala together. 8) Fly home.

Obviously, there are areas that need some flushing out--or maybe even just flushing. That where you come in.

My first big question is--what is the best way to travel from Managua to Bluefields and/or Corn Island? I've heard of a "road" to Puerto Cabezas and a neck spraining week long bus ride, but I haven't heard how one gets to Bluefields.

I'm open to the possibility of flying, but I'd prefer to fly only one way if there's a chance to travel across the county on the ground/river. Has anyone done this?

I've heard of using Tica-Bus to travel from Managua down to Costa Rica. Should we expect any problems traveling between countries where we only intend to stay for a short duration?

Would someone suggest any "must do" or "must see" experiences in Costa Rica? We're turning over most of the reigns once we get to Panama, so I mainly need suggestions/advise on how to get around Nicaragua, and what to see/do in Costa Rica. I'd appreciate any and all feedback.

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boat or plane from Bluefields to Corn Island

Submitted by drlemcor on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 14:41.

Once we get to Bluefields does anybody know if there are boats regularly taking trips out to corn Island, or if we arrange that stage of the trip ahead of time? We'd also be ok with taking a plane out to the island--and I have the same question about that.

Trip

Submitted by RSJGringita on Wed, 2009/12/09 - 21:33.

I'm assuming that for #4 you mean "Travel back to the *Pacific* side"? There aren't any international buses that originate on the Atlantic side.

TicaBus is one of several good international carriers that travel between Managua-Costa Rica-Panama City. The Managua - San Jose run will cost ~$25 and will take ~9-10 hours. The San Jose - Panama run will cost ~$40 and will take ~15-17 hours (overnight). The buses are luxurious as Central American buses go - air conditioned (usually freezing cold, in fact - bring a sweater), en route movies, bathroom on the bus. The "executive" trips include 1-2 meals, while the "coach" trips stop for meals. Crossing borders won't be a problem for Americans or Canadians. There will be entry and exit fees for each country, but you won't have any problems getting your tourist visa.

There's tons of things to see in Costa Rica - I spent a couple years there and still haven't seen it all! But the standard tourist route includes Monteverde (cloud forest and lots of zip lines, etc.), Arenal (active volcano and hot springs), Poas (active volcano close to San Jose), Manuel Antonio (beautiful beaches, plush resorts, animals) and/or other Pacific beaches (better for surfing and more developed than the Atlantic side), and/or Tortuguero (Atlantic flavor, turtles). Osa Peninsula is another favorite place of mine, if you want a more remote and wild experience.

Buen viaje!

-------

Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans

Monteverde, Arenal, Poas, Beaches, Tortuguero, and Osa.

Submitted by drlemcor on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 14:37.

Thank you for the advise Nicole. I'll look into these Costa Rica options.

Managua - Bluefields

Submitted by nicareal on Thu, 2009/12/10 - 07:17.

Managua to Rama by bus. Should take about 5-6 hr.

Rama - Bluefields by boat. About 2 hr or so.

Bus, boat, and...plane?

Submitted by drlemcor on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 14:39.

That sounds great. We'll most likely take the bus and then the boat out to Bluefields. Do you know how much the boat ride costs?

I remember it to be

Submitted by nicareal on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 15:43.

U$ 20,-- or so. We never took the boat but we went from Bluefields to Rama in our own boat and I asked at the dock how much the ride was. There are 2 kinds of boats. One is the express and the other the equivalent of the Chicken Bus. I guess you call it the Chicken Boat and it takes about 4 hr.

I am pretty sure you can get a boat from Bluefields to Corn Island. I'll ask my guy in Bluefields about it and then let you know.

Thanks

Submitted by drlemcor on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 16:08.

I appreciate it Jon.

Let me know when you are ready

Submitted by nicareal on Fri, 2009/12/11 - 20:47.

to make the trip. Maybe we can match you up with one of ours.

Freehand Rock climbing.... I thought that went out of favor when I and my friends quit... LOL

You and I, my friend have stories to swap.