Gringos Guide To Driving Mexico, Central America & Costa Rica
  • Managua - San Juan del Sur
    Nicaragua

    Managua – San Juan del Sur

    DRIVING TIME: 2.27 hoursKILOMETERS: 143MILES: 88HWY: CA 1—CA 2 When entering Managua, stay on the straight-away and follow the signs to Central. About 10 minutes after entering the city, you will see a sign that reads Jinotepe CA 2. Steer left. This is the road you want. Follow this road until you meet a traffic circle. Follow the traffic circle around and exit UNI-UNAN. There is a large sign on the right. This road will eventually lead out of town and onto the road for Penas Blancas and San Juan del Sur. Note that the Interamerican Hwy changes from CA 1 to CA 2 until the border with Costa Rica.…

  • Nicaraguan Border - Managua
    Nicaragua

    Nicaraguan Border – Managua

    DRIVING TIME: 3.27 hoursKILOMETERS: 202MILES: 125HWY: CA 1 The roads in Nicaragua are the worst of any in all of Central America. As mentioned above, it is difficult to get lost because CA 1 is the only major road running through the country. Follow the signs to Managua—if you find any. Depending on how long the border entry and exit procedures take, you can make it through Nicaragua in one day. You will be given a transit visa for three days. My recommendation is to travel to San Juan del Sur, spend a day or two in this incredible town, and then cross the border into Costa Rica. San Juan…