There is no direct bus: you change in San Carlos (Río San Juan) and Managua. The whole trip takes about 12 h.
Type of trip
Journey time
Fare
Leaves from
First bus
Last bus
El Castillo (Río San Juan)
San Carlos (Río San Juan)
Change in San Carlos (Río San Juan): you arrive at Muelle and the next bus leaves from Terminal. Take a taxi between terminals.
Managua
Change in Managua: the next bus leaves from the same terminal, Mayoreo.
Matagalpa
Worked out from each leg's timetable plus time to change buses. Confirm at the terminal.
Places worth seeing when you arrive.
A cloud-forest reserve you can hike up from downtown, with views over the whole city.
A coffee farm and cloud-forest reserve on the Jinotega road, with trails and cabins.
Tells how coffee built the region, and a good place to taste local coffee.
A waterfall about 15 metres high at km 147 of the La Dalia road; a short trail leads behind the water to a cave.
Do you run a restaurant, guesthouse or tour in Matagalpa?
Show up here, right where travellers plan their arrival.
The fare is C$407 – C$495 (≈ US$11–14). Cooperatives set the prices and they can change; check at the terminal.
About 12 h, depending on the type of bus and traffic.
It leaves from Muelle de El Castillo.
The first leaves at 5:00 AM and the last at 2:00 PM.
No. Take the bus to San Carlos (Río San Juan) and Managua and change there. Each leg and its times are on this page.