how to travel from costa rica to Bocas del Toro & nicaragua

🚌 San José to Sixaola

• Bus Company: MEPE
• Departure Point: MEPE Terminal (Atlántico Norte), San José
• Schedule: Daily at 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 4:00 PM
• Duration: ~5.5 hours
• Fare: ~$15 USD

🛂 Border Crossing

• Exit at Sixaola (Costa Rica) and enter at Guabito (Panama).
• Carry your passport, proof of onward travel, and cash for border fees.

🚗 Sixaola to Almirante

• Take a bus, minibus, or taxi from Guabito to Almirante.
• Duration: ~1 hour
• Fare: ~$10 USD

⛴️ Almirante to Bocas del Toro

• Board a water taxi to Isla Colón (Bocas Town).
• Duration: ~35 minutes
• Fare: ~$6 USD

🚌 San José to Managua

• Bus Companies: Tica Bus, Transnica 
• Departure Point: Respective terminals in San José
• Schedule: Morning departures (confirm directly with the companies)
• Duration: ~8–10 hours
• Fare: Starting at $33 USD

🛂 Border Crossing

• Exit at Peñas Blancas (Costa Rica) and enter Nicaragua.
• Carry your passport, proof of onward travel, and cash for border fees.

🏖️ To San Juan del Sur

• Disembark at Rivas before reaching Managua.
• Take a local bus or taxi to San Juan del Sur.

🏝️ To Isla de Ometepe

• Disembark at Rivas.
• Travel to San Jorge (a short taxi ride from Rivas).
• From San Jorge, take a ferry to Moyogalpa or San José del Sur on Isla de Ometepe.