Ok, so you’ve had your trip to Nicaragua. You’ve taught English lessons, taken some Spanish classes, traveled to coffee plantations, done some crazy adventurous things — maybe slid down the side of a volcano, surfed San Juan del Sur… You’ve generally had the best time in your entire life, but now it is time to head home and post all your pictures and videos for your friends to be jealous of on your various social media outlets.
But where was that airport again? And how do you get there?
Luckily for you, there is only one airport in all of Nicaragua - the Augusto Sandino International Airport in Managua. Also lucky for you, Managua is pretty centrally located within the country, so it should be no more than a few hours bus ride from your last anywhere around Nicaragua. The only problem is that you were so excited when you arrived, that now the airport is but only a faint memory.
Since Managua is the hub for business and travel around Nicaragua, most big cities have direct busses there. If the bus doesn’t stop at the airport, it is easy to catch a cab straight from the bus station that will take you there. Don’t pay more than $6 for a taxi around Managua.
If you are coming from your home base in Matagalpa, it is really easier than easy to get to the airport. All you have to do is catch the EXPRESS BUS from the Matagalpa Sur bus station. Remember to buy your ticket in advance for the Express Bus because seats are assigned. Busses leave every hour at 20 minutes past the hour.
The bus ride takes almost exactly 2 hours, and it will drop you off right across the street from the airport — just make sure to tell the attendant that your final destination is the airport and they will signal to you when it is time to get off. Grab your belongings, and voilà! you have arrived! It’s almost too easy.
There is a small food court with around 7 restaurants to choose from if you are hungry, and several gift shops if you need to pick up that last-minute box of cigars for your uncle. You will then go through security which is located behind the circular statue of heads. Yes, there is a giant circular statue of heads in the airport.
Security should be a breeze for you, provided you haven’t decided to bring any drugs or handguns home with you as souvenirs. You will ride the escalator up to where your gate is located. In this part of the airport, you will find more shops, a Subway, and a small restaurant/bar that you can hang out in if you have lots of time before your flight. There is also a Duty Free Shop where you can buy one last bottle of Flor de Caña, so that you may take those signature Nicaragua hangovers home with you. Once it’s time to board, just take a deep breath and try and hold back the tears. Remember, VAYA Volunteers and Nicaragua will always be here for when you decide to come back.
