Buses from Jinotega
Schedules, fares and terminals for every bus leaving Jinotega, plus the ones arriving.
Jinotega department
The essentials
Where to catch the bus
- COTRAN de Jinotega
Buses to Managua, Matagalpa, Estelí, San Rafael del Norte, Pantasma and El Cuá.
Directions
Buses to San Rafael del Norte pass through Jinotega. Catch them at the roadside stop.
Going to Managua
Direct express from COTRAN, about 3 h
See times and optionsComing from Managua
Direct express from Mayoreo, about 3 h
See times and optionsFirst and last bus
The first leaves at 4:00 AM (to Managua) and the last at 6:15 PM (to Matagalpa).
Getting around Jinotega
Jinotega has three bus routes: two cross town to the Villa Valencia neighborhood, passing the Victoria Motta hospital, and one leaves the Mercado Municipal for the village of Apanás. A taxi within the town center costs from C$25 (July 2026 fare).
See the routes
Things to do in Jinotega
Places worth seeing when you arrive.
- Hike
Peña de la Cruz
A climb on foot to the cross watching over the city, with the best view of the valley.
- Nature
Lake Apanás
A mountain lake a few minutes from town, beautiful at sunset.
- Crafts
Black pottery
The women's cooperative of Las Cureñas makes the black pottery Jinotega is known for.
- Coffee
Highland coffee
Jinotega grows much of Nicaragua's coffee, and its cooperatives welcome visitors.
Do you run a restaurant, guesthouse or tour in Jinotega?
Show up here, right where travellers plan their arrival.
Express buses from Jinotega
Direct buses between major cities with few stops. Faster and slightly pricier.
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Local buses from Jinotega
The famous “chicken buses”: they stop in every town along the way. Cheapest and slowest.
Leaves from COTRAN
Matagalpa
Local bus1 h 15 min27 departures, 5:00 AM–6:15 PM
C$40 – C$50 (≈ US$1.09–1.37)
See timesLeaves from COTRAN
Estelí
Local bus2 h6 departures, 5:00 AM–3:30 PM
C$60 – C$70 (≈ US$1.64–1.91)
See timesLeaves from COTRAN
San Rafael del Norte
Local bus45 minEvery ~45 min, 5:00 AM–5:30 PM
C$25 – C$30 (≈ US$0.68–0.82)
See timesLeaves from COTRAN
El Cuá
Local bus4 h5 departures, 5:00 AM–1:00 PM
C$100 – C$120 (≈ US$2.73–3.28)
See timesLeaves from COTRAN
Pantasma
Local bus2 hEvery ~60 min, 5:00 AM–4:00 PM
C$60 – C$70 (≈ US$1.64–1.91)
See times
Buses arriving in Jinotega
Handy for planning the way back.
Leaves from Managua, Mayoreo
Jinotega
Express3 h7 departures, 5:00 AM–5:30 PM
C$140 – C$160 (≈ US$3.83–4.37)
See timesLeaves from Estelí, COTRAN Norte
Jinotega
Local bus2 h7 departures, 5:45 AM–4:45 PM
C$60 – C$70 (≈ US$1.64–1.91)
See timesLeaves from Matagalpa, COTRAN Sur
Jinotega
Local bus1 h 15 min28 departures, 5:00 AM–7:00 PM
C$40 – C$50 (≈ US$1.09–1.37)
See times
Guides for Jinotega
Moving to Estelí to study
Estelí draws students from across the north. It has two terminals at opposite ends of town, so it pays to know which one you need before arriving with your suitcase.
Moving to Managua to study from another department
Which terminal is closest to home, how to get from the terminal to the UCA area, and how to plan Friday and Sunday trips without missing the last bus.
Missing a route from Jinotega?
Tell us where it goes and when it leaves, and we will add it.
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