From Costa Rica

The key to the trip to Nicaragua lies in the Fortuna town of Arenal Volcano, contact http://www.aguatrails.com/nishuttles.phptrip from Fortuna in Costa Rica to San Carlos in Nicaragua.

Managua
Many important airlines fly to Managua from different parts of the world:
IBERIA, AMERICAN AIRLINES, TACA, CONTINENTAL, ETC.

San Juan River
By plane: in commercial airline or private light aircraft.
All flights to San Carlos depart from the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, in LA COSTEÑA airlines, located at the entrance to the airport. The roundtrip ticket costs approximately US $ 120.00 dollars and flying time is about 50 minutes.   Some time departure delay.

Itinerary of commercial flights to San Carlos:
Every day, one fly departure Managua to San Carlos at 1:00 pm (midday)

Itinerary of commercial flights to Managua:
Every day, one fly departure San Carlos to Managua at 1:00 pm (midday)

LA COSTEÑA Airlines: to make reservations please contact Julio Caballero, Manager, at jcaballero@lacostena.com.ni, or call 2263-2142, 2263-2143, 2263-2144. www.lacostena.com.ni
IMPORTANT on Sunday the airplane did not match with public transportation forward to Sabalos Lodge.

By water
We can make arrangements to have a boat in Ometepe, or in San Jorge or any other port in the Lake to transport tourist groups.

Inexpensive boat
The inexpensive boat better known as the “slow boat” is a freight and passenger boat with capacity for 200 persons.

It departs from Granada to San Carlos on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m., arriving in San Carlos at 5:00 a.m. next day. On Tuesdays and Fridays the boat departs from San Carlos at 2:00 p.m. and arrives in Granada at 5:00 a.m. next day.

This boat has an air conditioned section and the price is US $20.00 dollars each way. Tickets have to be bought at the boarding point.

Getting from Managua to San Carlos by land
By bus or car
Distance is 300 Km. It takes approximately 4 hours to reach San Carlos (by private car).
At 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. there are buses leaving from Managua’s Mercado de Mayoreo which is close to the International Airport.  The bus departing at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. are the only to make a connection with the last boat leaving for SABALOS LODGE for same day arrival. Ticket costs approximately US $ 16.00, and it takes around 6 hours to get there.
From Granada there are buses going to San Carlos as well. The terminal is located in Granada’s pier park.

From San Carlos to Sabalos Lodge
Using hotel transportation. Estimated time of travel is 1 hour 15 minutes
You may also use public transportation at a cost of C$220.00 Cordobas. One way costs approximately US $12.00

Every day (except Sundays) 4 public transportation launches or motorboats leave from San Carlos to El Castillo. The trip takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Sabalos Lodge also offers packages that feature trips to: El Castillo, Indio Maíz Grand Reserve over the Bartola River, or Poco Sol Reserve, Solentiname, Los Guatusos, Isla de Pájaros, etc.

When visitors arrive in San Carlos they must get to Sabalos  Lodge:
By boat:
San Carlos - Sabalos  Lodge - 43 Km.
Sabalos  Lodge – El Castillo – 20 Km.
Sabalos  Lodge – where Indio Maíz Reserve starts 30 Km. Bartola River.

By land:
45 Km. from San Carlos to Boca de Sabalos  town (dirt road). 

We recommend you to bring
Camera to keep memories for a lifetime
Rubber sole canvas shoes to bathe in the river
Running shoes for walking in the beach