There is no direct bus: you change in Juigalpa and San Carlos (Río San Juan). The whole trip takes about 9 h 25 min.
Type of trip
Journey time
Fare
Leaves from
First bus
Last bus
Masaya
Juigalpa
Change in Juigalpa: the bus to San Carlos (Río San Juan) is passing through. Wait for it at the roadside stop.
San Carlos (Río San Juan)
Change in San Carlos (Río San Juan): you arrive at Terminal and the next bus leaves from Muelle. Take a taxi between terminals.
El Castillo (Río San Juan)
Masaya
Managua
Change in Managua: you arrive at Huembes and the next bus leaves from Mayoreo. Take a taxi between terminals.
San Carlos (Río San Juan)
Change in San Carlos (Río San Juan): you arrive at Terminal and the next bus leaves from Muelle. Take a taxi between terminals.
El Castillo (Río San Juan)
Worked out from each leg's timetable plus time to change buses. Confirm at the terminal.
Places worth seeing when you arrive.
A 17th-century Spanish fort above the river, with a museum and views of the rapids.
Tropical rainforest to explore with a guide, by boat and on foot.
Do you run a restaurant, guesthouse or tour in El Castillo (Río San Juan)?
Show up here, right where travellers plan their arrival.
The fare is C$400 – C$440 (≈ US$11–12). Cooperatives set the prices and they can change; check at the terminal.
About 9 h 25 min, depending on the type of bus and traffic.
It leaves from Terminal del Mercado Municipal de Masaya.
The first leaves at 5:30 AM and the last at 1:30 PM.
No. Take the bus to Juigalpa and San Carlos (Río San Juan) and change there. Each leg and its times are on this page.