How to get to Hostel Esperanza

From Managua

By bus

Express bus to San Juan: Go to Mercado Huembes and take the 4PM express bus to San Juan del Sur. Length: 2.5 - 3 hours

Regular bus: Before 4PM, go to Mercado Huembes and take any bus that goes to Rivas. These buses are "ruteados" and will make a lot of stops along the way, making them slower. Take the bus to San Juan del Sur. Length: 4 hours

Express bus to Rivas, then a bus to San Juan: You can also take an express bus to Rivas, which are more frequent than the express buses to San Juan. From Rivas, take one of the frequent buses to San Juan.

Once you've arrived in San Juan del Sur, walk to the road that runs along the beach, turn left, and go 1 1/2 blocks until you see Hostel Esperanza on your left.

By taxi

Expect a taxi from Managua airport to San Juan to cost between $70 and $90. If it's nighttime, it may be as much as $100. If you're positive you want to take a taxi, let us know and we'll arrange it for you. If you're making a transfer, have to buy something, or have some other business in Managua and you need a taxi, be careful! It's safer to take a taxi by yourself, not shared. Look for older taxi drivers, younger ones can be more dangerous. We've heard some really awful stories.

From Granada or Masaya

By bus: Take any bus to Rivas. Take the bus to San Juan del Sur. Length: About 1:40 from Granada (a little longer from Masaya) to Rivas. Add 50 minutes more for the bus from Rivas to San Juan.

Once you've arrived in San Juan del Sur, walk to the road that runs along the beach, turn left, and go 1 1/2 blocks until you see Hostel Esperanza on your left.

From Ometepe

By boat/bus: Take the boat from Ometepe to San Jorge, then take a bus or taxi to Rivas. From Rivas, take the bus to San Juan del Sur. Length: The boat to San Jorge is about 2 hours, from San Jorge to Rivas about 20 minutes, and Rivas to San Juan del Sur is about 50 minutes.

By boat/taxi: Take the boat from Ometepe to San Jorge. When you get off the boat, the taxi drivers may offer to take you to San Juan. A taxi from San Jorge to San Juan costs $20-$25.

Once you've arrived in San Juan del Sur, walk to the road that runs along the beach, turn left, and go 1 1/2 blocks until you see Hostel Esperanza on your left.

From other parts of Nicaragua

By bus: Take any bus to Rivas. Take the bus to San Juan del Sur. Length: Varies, but Rivas to San Juan del Sur is about 50 minutes.

Once you've arrived in San Juan del Sur, walk to the road that runs along the beach, turn left, and go 1 1/2 blocks until you see Hostel Esperanza on your left.

From Costa Rica

Comfortable option: Tica-Bus from San Jose. This costs around $23 and takes from 7-8 hours. After the bus ride, you can take a taxi (or bus) to San Juan. A shared taxi should cost about $2 per person, an express can cost up to $15. A shared taxi is a good, cheap option and is safe in this area. It isn't dangerous here with the taxi drivers. At the Tica-Bus stop in Rivas, just ask for a "taxi compartido".

Cheap option: From San Jose, take a regular bus to the border town Penas Blancas. After you cross the border, ignore the taxi drivers that tell you there is no bus. Take a bus going to Rivas and tell the driver you want to get off at La Virgen. This costs 20c. When you get off, cross over the highway and wait for a bus heading to San Juan. These buses run every 45-50 minutesi and cost 10c. If you decide to take a taxi to San Juan, the price is around $25. The exchange rate is around $1 - 23 cordobas.

Once you've arrived in San Juan del Sur, walk to the road that runs along the beach, turn left, and go 1 1/2 blocks until you see Hostel Esperanza on your left.