From Managua

By Car: From Managua, it’s a pretty straightforward shot on the Masaya Highway. The trip is about 46 kilometers and should take under an hour.

By Taxi: Taxis to Granada from Managua should cost around $25 to $30. If you try to get a taxi from Managua’s Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, however, expect the price to rise substantially. It’s better to walk a few extra steps to the highway to get the more reasonable rate.

Tip: Always bargain for your fare before getting into the Taxi. Have small bills on hand or you will be making a detour to the gas station to get change (and gasoline).

By Bus: Regional buses to Granada leave Mercado Roberto Huembes every 15 minutes or so. The bus is usually quite full, but the price is around 50 cents. The trip should take just over an hour.

Air-conditioned “express” buses (minivans, actually) aren’t much more expensive (about 80 cents) and they shave a few minutes off the trip. These express minibuses leave from a yard just across the street from the Universidad Centroamericana as soon as they are full (usually every 20 minutes or so). Just tell the taxi driver to take you “Frente a la UCA.”

  
From Costa Rica

By Bus from the Costa Rican border: To get to Granada from the Costa Rican/Nicaraguan border at Sapoa, Nicaragua, take a bus to Rivas (several daily; about 50 cents) and then transfer to a Granada-bound bus from there (several daily; under $1).

By Car from the Costa Rican/Nicaraguan border town of Sapoa, take the Carretera Panamericana north. Just past Nandaime, you’ll see a sign directing you to the right toward Granada.