How To Get From Managua Airport To Leon – Nicaragua

Let’s make arriving in Nicaragua a little easier with this guide on how to get from Managua Airport to Leon
If you are visiting Nicaragua on vacation then the chances are you will be arriving at Managua Airport. We don’t recommend sticking around in Managua, in fact, we suggest you get yourself straight to our favourite place in Nicaragua; Leon. Luckily, the journey from Managua Airport to Leon can be done in a few different ways.
In this post, I will explain all of the best ways to get from Managua Airport to the beautiful city of Leon so you can begin your adventures.
I will give you details of the following options;
- Public buses – The Cheapest option
- Tourist shuttle bus – The most convenient option
- Taxi – The fastest option
- Rental Car – The most flexible option
Short on time – plan your trip with these essentials
🛏️ Book your accommodation with Booking.com
📞 Grab an E-SIM with Airalo
🥾 Stay safe with travel insurance from Safety Wing
How To Get From Managua Airport To Leon
Depending on your budget and preferred methods of travel there are a few different ways you can make the journey from Managua Airport to Leon. Whilst in Nicaragua, we travelled by public buses, taxis, tourist shuttles, tuk-tuks, scooters and ferries, so we are confident we can give a good overview of your options.
Let’s dive right into your first option:
Managua Airport To Leon By Public Bus/ Taxi
First of all, we have the cheapest option which is to travel by public bus.
From the airport, you will need to take a 30 minute taxi to the UCA (Universidad Centroamericana) Bus Terminal in Managua. The taxi ride should cost you no more than around $10.
At the UCA Terminal, you will see a bunch of different ticket vendors and you will need to head to the one for Leon. Don’t worry if it seems a little overwhelming, people will happily help point you in the right direction if you are not sure.
Then you will be able to hop on a chicken bus heading to Leon. Chicken buses are public buses in Nicaragua and all over Central America. They are the cheapest way to travel and the journey to Leon should cost around $2.
The buses depart roughly every 30 minutes between 4:30 am and 20:00 pm and the journey should take around 2 hours. This is one of the slowest options for getting from Managua Airport to Leon because the buses make many stops along the way.

Keep in mind these buses are budget-friendly but they are not the most comfortable option. We took rides on several chicken buses while in Nicaragua and they can get VERY crowded, very hot and you need to keep your belongings with you at all times just to be safe.
There are also express shuttles that run from here too. These are smaller minivans that leave once they are full and you will be sharing the ride with locals just like the chicken buses. They cost around the same but the journey will be faster.
Managua Airport To Leon By Tourist Shuttle
Perhaps the easiest and most cost-effective option is to book a tourist shuttle. We took several of these while in Nicaragua and though they are more expensive than public transport, they are safe, fast and far more comfortable. They are also a great way to meet fellow travellers.
You can book with a company like Rooney Shuttle and you will be taken straight from the airport to Leon. They run a shuttle service every day that leaves at 13:00 pm. So if you want to use this option it would be wise to make sure your flight arrives before then.
You can book through their website. We used them a few times during our trip and they were always reliable. The cost of the journey is $22. They will often drop you right at the door to your hostel or hotel.

Don’t forget travel insurance!
We cannot stress just how important travel insurance is. I have lost a lot of money in the past from cancelled trips, where I didn’t have insurance. So please don’t make the same mistakes as me.
We are insured with Safety Wing and they are great because you can start a policy while abroad and pay month by month. Take a look for yourself.
Managua Airport To Leon By Taxi
Getting a taxi directly from Managua Airport to Leon is going to be the best option for anyone in a hurry or arriving late at night. The journey typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and will cost you anywhere from $100 to $150.
You can book private taxis online in advance, through sites such as Rooney Shuttle or booking.com. Alternatively, you will be left to negotiate with taxi drivers at the airport once you land. From our experience, I strongly recommend against this. Airport taxis are renowned for overcharging and we have been caught out a few times now.
My main advice for taking taxis is to always agree on the price before you get into the car and keep an eye on Google Maps. So you can make sure you are heading directly to your destination.

Managua Airport To Leon By Rental Car
Your final option is to hire a car for your stay in Nicaragua and drive yourself to Leon.
We like to use Discover Cars when looking for car rentals because we can compare prices and find the best deal. I had a quick look for you and it will cost around $300 for a small car for a week.
You can take a look at the cars available from Managua Airport here.
Keep in mind that the roads and standard of driving in Nicaragua are likely to be very different to what we are used to back home. From experience, we can say that the drivers seem a lot more reckless. Definitely, make sure you get insurance. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Make sure to grab an Airalo SIM Card so you can navigate using Google Maps. We use these SIM cards all the time and it’s great to know you will have the internet on your phone as soon as you arrive.
✔️ Take a look at our 3 week Nicaragua itinerary for more inspiration while planning your trip.
Where To Stay In Leon
We stayed in Leon for around 3 weeks in total. We stayed in 3 different hostels and guest houses and visited another, so here are our top picks for you:
📍 Hostal La Tortuga Booluda
A great hostel with comfy beds, air con, and yummy breakfast and the guys at the front desk are super helpful when it comes to booking transport or tours.
✅ Book your stay at our favourite hostel in Leon for an unforgettable trip!
📍 Poco a Poco Hostel
This social hostel is another hit among backpackers. With a pool and great social vibes, travellers love it for connecting with others and having a great time.
✅ Don’t miss out on a good time and book your stay at Poco a Poco here!
If you’re visiting Nicaragua as part of a bigger trip around Central America, make sure to check out our top hostels in each country.
Top Things To Do In Leon
Once you have made the journey from Managua Airport and you are safely in Leon, your next task will be having an epic time. Not to worry, we can help with that too.
We spent around 3 weeks in Leon and loved the city. Here are some of our top things to do in Leon:
⭐️ Volcano Boarding
This is as cool as it sounds, trust me. And if I’m being honest, it’s a tiny bit scary too. If you’re an adrenaline junkie then volcano boarding is going to be right up your street. I am not a fan of heights so I played it safe a meandered my way slowly down the volcano on my board but Guido was a speed machine and flew down!
Hike up to the top of a nearby volcano, change into the glamourous boiler suit, jump on your board and whizz back down to the bottom. Sounds fun right?!
Well, this was one of our favourite volcano activities in Nicaragua, and we booked the experience through the Bigfoot hostel.

⭐️ Walking Tour
We joined a walking tour through the city and found it really interesting. We booked our tour through Get Your Guide and it included a visit to the local market and some explanation of the local foods with tasters. We went to all the main historic sites around the city and into a secret garden for a private session on the country’s current politics etc.
If you are keen to learn more about the places you visit then this is one of the best ways.
⭐️ Visit the Cathedral
The famous white cathedral in the centre of the city is perhaps not that special from the outside. However, it’s the views from the roof that count. You can pay a couple of dollars to go up to the roof where you can enjoy views out over the city and to the volcanos in the distance. All while enjoying the pretty white domes rooftop.
It’s a great spot for photography lovers.

Managua Airport to Leon FAQs
So now that we have covered how to get from Managua Airport to Leon, where to stay and what you can do while you’re there, allow me to answer a few final questions for you.
How much is a taxi from Managua to Leon?
A taxi from Managua to Leon is going to set you back anywhere from $100 to $150.
How far is Leon Nicaragua from the airport?
Leon is around 100 km from Managua Airport, which is roughly a 2 hour drive.
Is Managua safe to visit?
Managua is generally considered safe for tourists if you are careful. There is, however, a higher risk of crime and violence than in other parts of Nicaragua. If you are concerned it is always a good idea to check your governments travel advice before you visit a new country.
Is Managua worth visiting?
After some research, we personally did not feel like Managua was worth visiting so we opted not to. It will all depend on personal preference but it is not known to be a great destination so we decided to spend our time in Leon, Granada and other places along the coast that have a better reputation for backpackers.
How long should I spend in Leon?
As I mentioned before, we spent 3 weeks in Leon and had a great time. If you are shorter on time, I would suggest no less than 2 days. This will allow you to explore the city and all it has to offer. See our 2 day itinerary for Leon to help with your planning.
Managua Airport to Leon – Final Thoughts
So there you have it, all the different ways in which you can get yourself from Managua Airport to Leon. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget, in a hurry, wanting to travel like a local or just want an easy ride there’s an option for you.
As always if you have any questions you are always welcome to get in touch, we will be happy to help you out.
Happy Travels!