Getting to the Border

Well I just got back from Nicaragua. Here is what I found for travelling from Liberia CR to Penas Blancas and beyond... Budget rental car in Liberia had one of their guys take me to the border in an airconditioned van (90 minutes/$55), and he even walked across with me, which I did not ask for or expect but it was nice to have an extra pair of eyes to watch my stuff. Budget has a small office at the border. I had arranged to have a car there and sure enough it all went off without a hitch. I dropped the car off at the Managua airport when I left and the rate was exactly as quoted. My experience with budget Nicaragua has been great in the 4 times that I've rented from them in Managua and will continue to recommend them to anyone headed that way.

dnurock@yahoo.com

You can rent an Alamo car now and they will switch it for one with Nica plates when you get to the border.

There didn't use to be any rental cars in SJDS. I had to phone for a Budget u-drive and pay an extra $20 to the man who brought it over to me but now I hear that Alamo keeps cars in SJDS.

if the line at the C.R. is mega long, a lil trick, walk around to the other side and cruise on in and cut the line, works everytime jalaluyah

If you search for Liberia or lots of other things here you will find assorted answers. Here is a brief one.

When you decide to head to Nicragua, just head to the bus station nearest the Pan Am. It is 2-3 blocks north of the only traffic light on the Pan Am within 100km and a block east. Wherever you are staying in Liberia will know if you are confused.

There are zillions of buses that go to Peñas Blancas. The express ones cost more but are more comfortable with space for luggage below. Just ask in the bus station for either the ordanario or the expreso. Last time I took the the express bus it was 600 colones. I am guessing, at the time, that was about $1.50.

The bus will drop you off in front of immigration. Do the passport thing, walk to the Nicaragua side (about .5km) do the passport thing on that side and you are done. The trip is about 60km. With a few stops to check passports of Nicaraguans (yup) it is a bit more than an hour. Easy, comfortable, cheap.

Going the other way the place that sells bus tickets is on the other side of the Costa Rican immigration building (one way on each side) and just a bit north of customs. Again, no biggie. Just buy a ticket and wait for the bus about 10 meters south.

While you didn't ask, the Nicaragua side of the trip is also very easy. You can get a shared cab to La Virgen (should be C$10 which is $.65) or take the Rivas bus and ask to get off at La Virgen. Cross the Pan Am and go beyond the restaurant that is in the middle of the intersection (it is a Y rather than a T with the restaurant) and wait for the SJdS bus which will be coming from Rivas.