Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and has coastlines both at the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. Travelers come to Nicaragua for the beauty it has to offer. Whether you look for eco-tourism, beaches, adventure travel or colonial cities, you’ll find them here.

Many travelers choose to visit most (if not all) of the Central American countries during a single vacation, so getting between Costa Rica and Nicaragua (or the other way) is not only popular, but also affordable and easy to tackle.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel from Costa Rica to Nicaragua is definitely by bus. You can catch a bus from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and travel to Mangua, Granada, or Rivas in Nicaragua. Single fare is US$26*.

Flights from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, is served by Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) , which is the fifth busiest airport in Central America. It is hub for La Costena and focus city for Copa Airlines.

Flights from Costa Rica to Managua are available from San Jose – on Copa Airlines and TACA/LACSA – and Liberia – on Nature Air.
The flight time from San Jose (SJO) to Managua is 1h 20 min and , during the dry season, single fare starts at US$254 on LACSA.
The flight time from Liberia (LIB) to Managua is 35 min and, during the dry season, single fare starts at US$85 on Nature Air.

Read more about:
>>Cheap Flights to San Jose
>>Cheap Flights to Liberia

Buses from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

The simplest way to get from Costa Rica to Nicaragua by bus is to travel from San Jose to Mangua, Granada, or Rivas on Tica Bus . Regardless of the route, the single fare is US$26. Economic buses depart San Jose at 12 p.m. and arrive in Nicaragua at 2 p.m. , 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively, depending on the destination.

Another option is to take a local bus to the border, walk to the other country and take another local bus for the reminder of the trip.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Costa Rica

Driving from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

There is only one border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica if you choose to travel by car. That’s at Penas Blancas, near Lake Nicaragua.

So, rent a car in Costa Rica and drive to the desired destination in Nicaragua but make sure to ask whether the rental company allows the border crossing.

If you drive between the two capitals, there are two possible routes. Both take about 6 hours to drive (422 km). Route 1 (see map below) is via Liberia , while Route 4 is via San Jose de Alajuela.

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Note:* price valid at the time the article was written

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Original article can be found here: Getting from Costa Rica to Nicaragua (and return)

The Arenal area comprises the Arenal Volcano National Park and Lake Arenal, along with the hot springs. The lake provides endless opportunities for activities such as fishing, windsurfing and many more. While the volcano is not active anymore, you can enjoy the sights and spend some lovely time in the nature.

Manuel Antonio national park is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. It is the smallest national park in Costa Rica but it offers a lot of things to do . You can enjoy time on the beach, hike in the rain forest or snorkel to see the coral reefs.

Manuel Antonio is located south of Quepos, while Arenal Volcano is located close to La Fortuna, so you are left with choosing the method of transportation between the two cities.

Quick summary

If you don’t fancy driving in Costa Rica, then the next best choice is to choose private shuttle between Arenal and Manuel Antonio. The single fares start at US$40 and depend on the bus company you choose.

Flights from Arenal to Manuel Antonio

La Fortuna Domestic Airport (FON) is the closest airport to the Arenal region. You can get from the Arenal volcano or lake to the airport by taxi.
The closest airport to Manuel Antonio is Quepos Managua Airport (XQP) , locate about 5 km from the city.
Direct flights from Arenal to Quepos are offered by Nature Air. The flight time is 30 min and the single ticket costs from US$70 but sometimes it’s not possible to book the cheapest fare (Locos) and you have to settle for US$91, which is the Promo fare. Return fares start at US$227, as it’s virtually impossible to grab the cheapest fare on both to and from flights.

>>read more about Costa Rica airfare

Buses from Arenal to Manuel Antonio

There are private companies which offer shuttles from hotels in La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. One of the companies, Interbus offers two departures per day (at 8 a.m. and 2:20 p.m.) and the single fare is US$40.
Costa Rica Shuttle Bus Service also offers such a service, with only one departure a day from Arenal (at 8:30 a.m.) to Manuel Antonio. The single fare is US$44 and the travel time is 6 h.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Costa Rica

Driving from Arenal to Manuel Antonio

Another option is to rent a car and drive between the two national parks. There are three possible routes and the shortest is 232 km. You should be able to cover it in about 4 hours.

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Original article can be found here: Getting from Arenal to Manuel Antonio (and return)

Liberia features colonial style buildings and is the gateway into the beaches of Nicoya Peninsula, as well as the national parks in the area. It used to be a gathering point for the ranching communities, as well as a hub for transportation of all kinds. Thanks to the new airport which opened close to the city, Liberia is now even a larger hub in the area.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the must visit places in the country. The abundance of the activities to do here, makes it a heaven for adventure lovers. Until late 2010 Arenal Volcano was the most active volcano in Costa Rica, but has entered a resting phase. No one knows how long it would take, but meantime you can enjoy the views and not focus on the eruption itself.

Quick summary

Although the distance between Liberia and Arenal Volcano is rather short, the lack of proper bus connections, make it a long affair (at least 4h 30 min). And flying is not exactly a cheap option either, so a good option is renting a car and driving between the two places.

Flights from Liberia (LIR) to Arenal

Liberia is served by Daniel Oduber International (LIR), located right in the city. It is a major hub for those who visit Western Costa Rica and the Pacific Coast.
Nature Air offers direct flights from Liberia into La Fortuna, located close to the Arenal area.

In the travel season, single fare starts at US$98 (the flight is via Tamarindo), while return fares start at US$276. Flights can be booked online.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Liberia

Buses from Liberia to Arenal

It is possible to travel by bus from Liberia to La Fortuna, via Canas and Tilaran. The travel time is either 4h 30 min or 11 h , depending on which connections you choose (how long you plan to stay in Canas and Tilaran). Once you get to La Fortuna, there are taxis to Arenal.

The scheduled can be checked here but they do not list prices.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Costa Rica

Driving from Liberia to Arenal

You can rent a car and drive from Liberia to the Arenal area. The shortest route is 126 km and you should be able to cover it in about 2h 10 min.

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Photo credit

Original article can be found here: Getting from Liberia to Arenal (and return)

Costa Rica and Panama both have Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts, as well as rainforests. While Costa Rica does a great job at preserving its natural beauty in its numerous national parks, Panama is more of an idyllic destination for those looking for beach getaways and a more bustling capital for those looking for partying.

Panama City, the capital of Panama , is definitely more exciting than San Jose , the capital of Costa Rica. Travelers to Costa Rica can extend their vacation and also include Panama in their plans.

Quick summary

If you need to travel between the two capitals – San Jose and Panama City- then the cheapest and easiest alternative is to travel by direct bus. It takes 16 hours and the single fare is US$35.

Flights from Costa Rica to Panama

There are two major airports serving Costa Rica:

• Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO), located close to the capital of San Jose, the main airport serving the country. It is hub for TACA/LACSA and a focus city for Copa Airlines.
• Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), located close to Liberia on Nicoya Peninsula, and is the second busiest airport in the country.

Panama is also served by two major airports:

• Tocumen International Airport (PTY) , located about 24 km from Panama City , and is hub for Copa Airlines. It is the busiest airport in Central America in terms of passenger traffic. Direct flights from San Jose are operated by Copa Airlines and TACA Airlines. The flight time is 1h 16 min.
• Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV), located in the city of David. It receives direct flights from San Jose operated by Air Panama and Sansa Airlines. The flight time is 1h 45 min.

Single fares from San Jose to Panama City start at US$306 on Copa Airlines or LACSA, regardless on when you travel during the high season. Return fares start at US$487.
Single fares from San Jose to David start at US$125 on Air Panama.

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to San Jose
>>Cheap flights to Liberia, Nicoya Peninsula

Buses from Costa Rica to Panama

Both Tica Bus and Expreso Panama offer direct buses from San Jose to Panama City. The 16 hours journey is definitely the easiest, fastest and most comfortable way to travel between the two countries.

On Tica Bus, an economy ticket costs US$37 one way and US$74 return. Buses depart Costa Rica at 12 p.m. and arrive in Panama at 4 a.m. the following day.

Expreso Panama offers two departures per day, at 12 p.m. (arrival at 3p.m. or 4 p.m. in Panama) or 11 p.m. (arrival at 3p.m. or 4p.m. in Panama). A single ticket is US$35 while return tickets are US$70.

Should you decide to see more of Costa Rica while you are traveling to Panama, you can take two alternative routes. The northern route starts in San Jose, from where you can take a bus to Sixaola, on the Atlantic coast (about 6 hours). Cross the border to Changuinola (Panama) and then take a direct bus to Panama City.
Another option is the southern route which also starts in San Jose. Take the bus to Ciudad Neily (about 8 hours) and from here take the 30 minute bus across the border to Canoas in Panama. From here, take a direct bus to Panama City.

Driving from Costa Rica to Panama

You can rent a car in San Jose, Costa Rica and drive to Panama City, Panama, stopping along the way to enjoy the views and rest. The total drive time is about 12 hours (800 km) and a large part of the road is right by the coast line.

Just for general reference, the route highlighted in the map below is between San Jose and Panama Canal (close to Panama City)

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You can also drive from San Jose to David , which is located on the Pan American Highway. David is a popular stop for those interesting in gambling as it is home to some casinos. You can also take a day trip to some hot springs.
There are 350 km between San Jose and David. The drive time is about 5 hours.

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Original article can be found here: Getting from Costa Rica to Panama (and return)

If you are traveling anywhere in Costa Rica, you’ll first arrive in San Jose . The capital is where most likely your flight will land from where you’ll take another means of transport to get to other parts of the country.

Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste province, located on the Nicoya Peninsula. It is the new gateway into the sunny beaches of Costa Rica and is getting more and more popular among tourists from all over the world.

Quick summary

The cheapest but definitely not the fastest way to travel is by bus. Tickets cost about US$5 per person, one way and you’ll cover the distance between San Jose and Liberia in about 4 ½ h.

Flights from San Jose (airport code: SJO) to Liberia

San Jose is served by Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), the main airport in Costa Rica and a hub for TACA/LACSA. It also serves as a focus city for Copa Airlines.

Liberia is served by Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), located about 12 km from the city center. It is the second busiest airport in the country.

Direct flights from San Jose to Liberia are operated only by LACSA. The flight time is 47 min.
During the travel season, expect to pay US$97 per person one way , while return flights start at US$194 per person.

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to San Jose
>>Cheap flights to Liberia, Nicoya Peninsula

Buses from San Jose to Liberia

Pulmitan de Liberia is the bus company which offers direct connection between San Jose and Liberia. Buses depart daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Calle 24, Ave. 5-7 terminal. The travel time is about 4h 30 min and a ticket costs about US$5 one way. Unfortunately, there isn’t any information on the company’s website and the tickets cannot be booked online.

Driving from San Jose to Liberia

You can rent a car and drive the 207 km between San Jose and Liberia. You should be able to cover the distance in about 3 hours. Along the way you’ll be delighted with views of the Arenal volcano.
Traveling during the dry season is preferable as the unpaved roads tend to be get washed away during the wet season.

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Original article can be found here: Getting from San Jose to Liberia (and return)

I’ll never forget the stories I heard from a guy I met in a hostel who had rented a motorcycle in Canada. Yes, the guy had rented a motorcycle in Canada and rode it all the way to Costa Rica. But, his trip wasn’t ending there! He actually had plans of going as far South as he possibly could go. The guy had some awesome stories. Come to find out, a lot of bike enthusiasts make this sort of trip in some form or fashion. If I was a biker, I know I would. If you are an experienced biker or just interested in a more organized sort of motorcycle trip around Costa Rica, this list should help you out. This is includes both guided and self guided motorcycle trips and rentals.

Moto Adventures

If you are looking for a custom fit, off road adventure that takes on some of the most versatile trails available, visit with founder and principal guide, Larry Larrabure. In a country rich in rain forest, jungle areas, and volcanic mountains, Larry and his expert crew will escort you on a motorcycle tour certain to satisfy the daring spirit. The off road itinerary comes in one, two, or three day tours, and features the likes of a 12,000 feet high ride through cloud-blanketed forests. Though sharing locations, the adventure tours are mostly smooth, blacktop riding. Gear up and ride through the scenic Central Valley region, along the Pacific beach line, through the coffee plantations, and then visit the volcano of your choice. As some of the tours include accommodations and food, the tour pricing is variable and sometimes costly. All MotoAdventures motorcycles are well maintained, and the guide knows his stuff. You can contact them at MotoAdventures Inc., USA Phone 440-256-8508.

Costa Rica Motorcycle Tours

This family owned business will personalize your tour. Here you will meet a knowledgeable staff of trained professionals, all intimately acquainted with the Costa Rica landscape. After helping you plan and budget a tour that reflects your expectations, they will set you up on a well-maintained and carefully selected motorcycle. The tours are “Easy Rider” style: paved roads. You travel along the Pacific Coast, reside in bungalows, and experience the Arenal Volcano. Costa Rica Motorcycle Tours strives to avoid technical riding. The accommodations are user-friendly, bed and breakfast lodges along with select off the mainstream hotels. The tours are not forced escorted, but rates are reasonable to what value you receive. Full tours include airport pickup and coach ride, motorcycle rental, accommodations, and breakfast. Your contact information is: P.O. Box 2907-1000, San José, Costa Rica, Telephone: (506)2225-6000.

Moto Tours Costa Rica

Wayne and R.J. Faddis have a passion for motorcycling. As long time off-road riders, they know the joy of a good adventure. They pick their equipment with care, and they plot for tours in places where motorcycles are welcome. This creates for cultural immersion such that riders can share something deeper than a mere roadside view. Though trips can be self-guided, perhaps you prefer the Southern Peninsula and Jaco tour. Here you ride the mountain ridgelines and peer down at the Pacific throughout the day. You can cross the Nicoya Peninsula, then ride dirt all the way to Samara. Come evening, you can sit on the deck, watch the beach across the street, and sleep in air conditioning. Samara is a surfer town, with great restaurants, quiet nights, and cool air. The rides are sometimes exhausting, but you will see and experience parts of Costa Rica that are beyond the reach of standard means of transport. Prices are comparable with other tour services. You can reach Moto Tours at Toll Free U.S. Number: 1-877-660-3832, Local U.S. Number: 540-230-7618, or Costa Rica Number: 506-8314-8053 or 506-8314-8108.

Motos Costa Rica

Welcome to Atenas where you will rest at B & B Villas de la Colina in Barrio Mercedes just thirty minutes from the San Jose Airport. Featuring a duel sport, eight day, deluxe volcano and beach tour, the Suarez family and Motorcycles Costa Rica will start you out on a short exploration of the area around Atenas. Day two affords scenic roads, topiary gardens, and perhaps the sounds of eruptions from Volcan Arenal. Nighttime is sometimes enhanced by lava on the hillside and a shower of sparks. Evenings are relaxed with opportunity to hike through the jungle and perhaps hear and see the howler monkeys as they move from tree to tree. Road tours include volcano and beach road routes through southern Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. Pricing is based on double occupancy with reduced rate for non-riders. Evening meals are not included. And a 50% deposit is required to confirm bookings. These are standard conditions for all of the motorcycle tour services. Your contact information is: Hotel Villas de la Colina, 2446-5015, or Fred Brown 276-228-3118,

H-C Travel

Established in 1994, H-C Travel is a worldwide tour agency. They have the knowledge, expertise, and experience to provide customers with a ride to remember. They were the first motorcycle tour operator in the UK to wind a national travel award. As a customer conscious agency, they offer 100% guaranteed financial protection for your holiday money. Holding an ATOL license, they can book your flights as well as accommodations. They handle guided tours, self-guided tours, and rentals. Rates are average, and time waste is minimal. Basic trail highlights are Turrialba volcano, airplane trail, Pacific Ocean, and skyline trail. Contact information is H-C Travel, 16 High Street, Overton, Hampshire RG25 3HA, England. Phone 01256 770775.

Original article can be found here: The Best Costa Rica Motorcycle Rides and Tours

If you have never been to Costa Rica, or any other second/third world country, you might be in for a surprise when you walk out of the airport. Don’t expect loads of people picking up their friends or loved ones. Instead, be prepared to be bombarded by cabbies, bus drives, homeless people, and the occasional drug dealer.

If you are unprepared for this it’s easy to not only be scared, but get taken advantage of. There are a few things you can do to make sure you get your money’s worth and get to your destination safely.

Helpful Tips:

• Official Costa Rica cabs are bright red and have a yellow sticker on them stating such. There are lots of privately owned taxis and “pirate” taxis. Avoid these if you can.
• Always ask the price for the ride before you get in.
• Some cab drivers will tell you that your hotel or hostel is full; don’t believe them. They are simply trying to take you to a hotel where they will get a commission from dropping you off.
• If you are traveling with a few people your best bet is to have the airport set you up with a private van. These cost about $20US total. Find the information booth once you get off the plane and the agents will handle this for you.
• Be ready for a roller coaster experience. Driving in Costa Rica probably isn’t anything like where you are from. Dodging oncoming traffic, regular use of the horn, yelling, and high speeds down one way streets are all very common practices.

Original article can be found here: How to Get Out of the Airport