Travelers frequently ask us for the best way to move from Costa Rica to Nicaragua spending their first days at Guacimo Lodge and then proceeding with the rest of their trip through Nicaragua. This makes sense since Las Tablillas border is not only much smaller than the other border in Peñas Blancas (and therefore quicker to go through customs), but also because border of Las Tablillas is 1 hour closer to San José than the border of Peñas Blancas. Las Tablillas border is located by rio San Juan and thus close to Indio Maiz reserve.
Many of Guacimo Lodge guests coming from Costa Rica start their trip spending a few days knowing the rio San Juan and Indio Maiz biological reserve, and then head up towards Granada as next destination, or Managua to continue their trip through Nicaragua.
If you are in San Jose, you can travel towards the border of Las Tablillas taking any bus San Jose to Ciudad Quesada, and then from Ciudad Quesada to Los Chiles. Los Chiles is a town 5 kms away from the border of Las Tablillas, and local buses service the two points.
You can also take a private transportation option. We work with transportation providers in Costa Rica which provide Guacimo Lodge preferential rates for our clients. Please contact us directly to get you with options according to your route and number of passengers!
Once you pass the border of Las Tablillas, you need to head to San Carlos in Nicaragua. This is a 37 min trip and Guacimo Lodge can help you by providing a local transportation which will be awaiting for you at the border and taking you directly to San Carlos port. This service is provided by Guacimo.
LAS TABLILLAS BORDER TO SAN CARLOS ROUTE MAP
From San Carlos you have public boats transferring daily to El Castillo at 06am, 08am, 10.30am, 12 midday, 2pm and 3.30pm. Let us know which boat you will take and we will make sure to reserve your seats in advance! Cost of the boat ticket is 150 cordobas or approximately $4 per person.
Guacimo Lodge private boat picks you up when you arrive to El Castillo dock and takes you for a short, 15 min ride to the lodge. This boat transfer is cost-free. Guacimo Lodge is located close to Indio Maiz reserve and it is only accessible through the rio San Juan.
After your stay, if you need to travel further to Managua or Granada, you have the option of taking any public bus departing from San Carlos. Buses travel to Managua daily at 6.30am, 8am, 12midday, 2pm. If you want to continue your trip through Granada, you may take buses departing San Carlos every Tuesday and Friday at 3pm and 4pm. San Carlos bus station is just crossing the street from the dock!
Bus trip duration to Managua or Granada varies according to the number of stops bus makes, so it is a bit random and can go from 6hrs to 8hrs or beyond..! Of course, you have also the option of a private transfer directly to your next destination point. Guacimo Lodge special rates for our guests are fixed for Managua or Granada. Our driver awaits for you at the dock in San Carlos the day of your check-out from Guacimo and delivers you directly with a small stop in Juigalpa for a nice coffee. Please note Nicaragua in general is much more affordable than Costa Rica and this reflects in transportation rates, and that any cancellation of transportation fees can be done at Guacimo so you don´t require to carry large amounts of cash with you and you know upfront each step of your trip as well as the costs.
Let us know if you have any questions at contact@guacimolodge.com or whatsapp us at +505 8239 97126. We look forward to your visit to the Indio Maiz biological reserve and the river San Juan!
