Río San Juan: getting to San Carlos, El Castillo and Solentiname
San Carlos, on the shore of Lake Cocibolca, is the gateway to the Río San Juan. It is 6 hours by bus from Managua; from there everything moves by boat: El Castillo downriver and the Solentiname islands across the lake.
Reviewed Oct 29, 2026
Step by step
Step 1: Managua → San Carlos
Express buses from Mercado Mayoreo every two hours from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM, about 6 hours and C$250–300. The road is paved.
Step 2: San Carlos → El Castillo
Shared boats from the municipal dock at 6:30, 8:00, 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 (plus 10:30 in high season), 2–3 hours downriver, C$75–90. Buy tickets at the dock's ticket office; for the first boat, the day before.
Step 3: San Carlos → Solentiname islands
Shared boat only on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:00 PM (C$80–100, 2–3 hours), returning the same days at 4:30 AM. On other days you need a private boat (about US$100 per day).
Step 4: Towards Costa Rica
Boats leave San Carlos for the Las Tablillas / Los Chiles border post; buses into Costa Rica wait on the other side.
Approximate cost
Bus C$250–300 + boat to El Castillo C$75–90 or to Solentiname C$80–100.
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Tips
- Bring repellent and rain gear: the area is humid all year.
- El Castillo has no vehicles and no ATM; San Carlos has banks.
What travellers report about this trip
Las Peñitas to El Castillo
They left Las Peñitas before dawn, took the direct minibus from León to Managua (an hour and a half) and the 6 a.m. bus to San Carlos, then a launch downriver to El Castillo. They nearly missed the San Carlos bus and caught it by chasing it across Managua in a taxi; they say Nicaraguans are very understanding and go out of their way to help. El Castillo they call beautiful, safe and unique: no cars, inexpensive, with day and night wildlife tours.
ed4_vida_rica, 2019. Read on Tripadvisor
Managua to San Carlos
They found there is public transport to pretty much everywhere and it is really cheap. At Mayoreo, the San Carlos bus was pulling into the bay just as they arrived. In San Carlos they walked the waterfront, with an amazing view, watched a gorgeous sunset and ate at a fritanga by the water, where young guys play soccer once it cools down in the evening.
Lisa. Read on lisagermany.com
Times and fares in this guide are indicative: they come from public information and traveller reports. Confirm at the terminal before you travel. Travelled recently? Help us verify it.
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From Managua airport to anywhere by bus
Augusto C. Sandino airport sits on the Carretera Norte, 15–25 minutes by taxi from the bus terminals. There are no tourist buses from the airport itself: the trick is a short taxi to the right terminal and the bus from there.
How to get to Ometepe island by bus and ferry
Ometepe is reached by ferry or small boat from the port of San Jorge, 15 minutes from Rivas. From Managua the whole trip takes about 3 hours and costs under C$200 (US$5).
How to get to San Juan del Sur by bus
San Juan del Sur is 2 h 30 from Managua. There are direct express buses from Huembes mid-morning and in the afternoon; at any other time, go to Rivas and change buses.
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