Guide to Flights and Travel to San Juan Del Sur - the Best Airport & Route for You
The Best Way to Fly in and Out of Nicaragua
Thinking of visiting San Juan del Sur and wondering which airport to fly into? It’s a common question—whether to fly into Managua or Liberia, Costa Rica. I get asked this all the time.
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the best flight path for your trip to Nicaragua’s stunning Emerald Coast.
Two Airports, Same Destination
If you're heading to San Juan del Sur, the two easiest airport options are:
Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA), located just outside Managua
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), also know as the Guanacate airport. located near Liberia, Costa Rica
San Juan del Sur is almost exactly equidistant from both airports in terms of highway distance. From Managua, it’s about 132 kilometers (82 miles) and typically a three-hour drive. From Liberia, it’s roughly 131 kilometers (just over 81 miles), so the driving distance is nearly identical.
If you’re flying into Costa Rica, you’ll usually make better time on the highway heading north. However, you need to factor in the border crossing. Under normal conditions, it typically takes 30–60 minutes to exit Costa Rica and enter Nicaragua (and vice versa).
During peak travel periods, though, it can take much longer. The busiest times of year are from mid-December through January 2nd, and during Semana Santa (Easter week), which usually falls between late March and mid-April. A large number of Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans travel during these periods, and I’ve personally seen a 30–60 minute wait turn into four hours or more. If you’re choosing to fly into Liberia, it’s important to plan around these peak congestion times.
What’s the Best Airport for You?
This really comes down to your personal situation and where you’re flying from.
If you’re coming from most major cities in the United States, there’s a high probability it’s quicker and easier to fly into Managua. Houston and Miami are the main hubs, with multiple daily flights. You can check daily arrivals and departures at MGA, as well as the full list of airlines servicing Managua. There are 100 scheduled flights weekly with 11-13 international desinations depending on the seal. WestJet also recently added a direct seasonal flight from Montreal to Managua. Excellent news for people from Eastern Canada.
At the time of writing Liberia International Airport has 168 total scheduled flights, heading to 32 destinations, from 14 airlines. So it offers more options and often the prices are lower than flying into Managua If you’re coming from Canada or elsewhere abroad, it’s definitely worth comparing both options.
My go-to recommendation? Use a flight aggregator like Skyscanner. Plug in your home airport and compare flights into both Managua and Liberia. Weigh price, travel time, and border logistics, then book directly with the airline. That way, if anything changes or you need assistance, you can deal with the airline directly.
Getting to and From the Airport
No matter which airport you choose, you can arrange a private shuttle to meet you at arrivals and take you directly to your door in San Juan del Sur. This is especially helpful if you’re not fully comfortable with Spanish.
I’m not in the transportation business, but I do like to support good local Nicaraguan small businesses. I work with reliable, locally owned shuttle operators and I’m happy to recommend one and connect you directly. They provide safe, dependable, and reasonably priced airport transfers whether you land in Managua or Liberia.
If you fly into Liberia, the same drive teams handles everything—including assisting with the Peñas Blancas border crossing to make it as smooth and low-stress as possible. If you land in Managua, they’ll meet you right at arrivals and bring you straight to town. It makes the whole process seamless.
A private car and driver from the Managua airport to San Juan Del Sur is about $90 at the time of writing. Coming from Costa Rica is about $150 for a seamless transfer with drivers on both sides. As it is logistically not worth it for taxi’s to be crossing customs. The two drivers coordinate and do a hand over to bring you trhe last 30 minutes to San Juan Del Sur.
Extra Tips for Travelers
If you’re flying into Liberia, try to schedule your arrival before about 3:00 p.m. That was you can arrive at the border before it gets too late in the evening. Border crossings coming into Nicaragua are generally easier during daylight hours, and it gives your driver time to manage the logistics without being rushed.
If you’re departing from Liberia on a morning flight, it’s often better to cross the border the evening before and stay overnight near the airport. There are tons of hotels near the airport with shuttle service and I can reccomend ones depending on your needs.
When entering Costa Rica, you’ll need proof of onward travel, so be sure to have a digital or printed copy handy of that ticket leaving Costa Rica at the airport and at any border crossings. When entering Nicaragua, you’ll be asked where you’re staying, so have that information written down or saved to make the process quicker.
Nicaragua also charges small entry and exit fees. It’s helpful to carry small US bills—$1, $5, $10, $20’s etc—since making change can sometimes be slow.
Final Thoughts
Whether you fly into Managua or Liberia, both routes work well/ Once you arrive, you’ll be enjoying the beach here in a few hours know it. The best choice usually comes down to flight availability from your departure city and your personal preferences.
If you’re planning a trip and looking at real estate while you’re here, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help coordinate that transportation I mentioned, recommend accommodations, or answer any other questions you might have.
Thanks for reading—I hope this was helpful.
Cheers 🏖️☀️
Joel Stott-Jess
Cell / WhatsApp: +505 8176 8624
US Number 1 786 651 5481
Broker License Number 144-2025
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
Originally from Alberta, Canada he has been doing business in Nicaragua since 2014.
An investment consultant, serial entrepreneur, surfer, and outdoor enthusiast he is an expert on the real estate and business markets in Nicaragua. He also operates The Central Investor, a real estate and investment blog focused on the entire Central American region.
Thanks to his lovely Nicaraguan wife, a medical doctor, he is also well informed on health care services in the country.
