By Bus
Buses leave from Managua for Granada from in front of the university campus UCA (2 blocks west of the Metrocenter) daily every 15 minutes, starting at 5:50am and ending at 8pm. The journey takes 1 hour and costs C20. You can also catch a regular Granada-bound bus from Mercado R Huembes in Managua, starting at 5:25am and terminating at 9:30pm. There are several bus terminals in Granada, depending on where you are going or where you are coming from. COGRAN (no phone) is 1 1/2 blocks south of the plaza's southwest corner and is used by expresos on route to Managua. The trip takes 1 hour and costs C15. Buses leave every 15 minutes, starting at 4am and ending at 7pm. On weekends, the service ends at 6pm. Buses also leave from the Central Plaza every 15 minutes from 5:30am to 7pm and cost C16. Parque Sandino is another departure point. It is on the north side of the city, close to the old railway station. All buses pass by the entrance road to Masaya.
The southbound bus to Rivas from Granada leaves from the Shell Palmira, on the south side of the city, beside the Palé superstore. The trip takes 2 hours and costs C25. The first departure is at 5:45am and the last at 2:45pm. If you want a direct bus to Masaya, you must go to the bus stop behind Palé, although most Managua-bound buses will drop you off close to the town. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs C10.
International bus companies have their own individual drop-off and departure points, all along Avenida Arrellano on the west side of the city. TicaBus (tel. 505/2552-4301; www.ticabus.com) is a half-block south of the old hospital. The Panama-bound bus leaves at 7am, but it is advisable to get there at 6:15am. It costs $65 one way. TransNica (tel. 505/2552-6619) is 3 blocks south of the old hospital, on the corner of Calle Xalteva. There are three departures for Costa Rica, at 6:30, 8, and 11am (arrive early to get a seat). The ride takes 7 hours and costs $23.
By Shuttle/Taxi
Paxeos, beside the cathedral on the southeast corner of Parque Colón (tel. 505/2552-8291; www.paxeos.com), organizes private and shared transfers to and from Managua airport and other locations such as San Jorge (where you catch the ferry to Isla de Ometepe). The trip to Managua costs approximately C400 per person, depending on group size.
By Boat
The small port (tel. 505/2552-2966) is located at the east end of Calle La Calzada. Boats leave from here on Monday and Thursday for the 4-hour trip (C80) to Alta Gracia on Isla de Ometepe (a faster ferry leaves from nearby San Jorge). The boat continues on to San Carlos, stopping at Morrito and San Miguelito on the northern shore of Lago de Nicaragua. The entire trip takes 14 hours and costs C250, returning on Tuesday and Friday. There are no cabins or sleeping accommodations on the boat, and it can be quite uncomfortable, especially if there are rough seas and many people.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.