If you’re staying in northern Guanacaste and are interested in visiting another country, the Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica is perfect for you. It takes you to the highlights of Nicaragua such as Masaya, Granada, Masaya Volcano National Park and Laguna de Apoyo. The tour is an excellent way to see a bit of Nicaragua especially if you don’t plan on taking a dedicated visit to the country.
Read more about the Nicaragua one day tour in this article and if you want to do this tour, we have an exclusive Mytanfeet discount! Get $10 USD off the tour!
**The Costa Rica land borders between Nicaragua and Panama have opened on April 5, 2021 but unfortunately the 1 day tour with our tour partner has not. We will update this post when it has.
Nicaragua One Day Tour from Costa Rica FAQ
When Does This Tour Operate?
This tour runs nearly every day with few exceptions during extremely busy times of the year (Christmas/New Years and Easter). They aren’t able to run the tour during these times because the border is extremely busy and sometimes can take the whole day to cross. We will let you know what days the tour is not running if you are inquiring about those dates.
Who Operates the Tour?
It is operated by Plus Papagayo, the only tour company that runs this tour every day.
What Is Included In the Tour?
The Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica includes breakfast, lunch, border fees, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, pick up and drop off and water.
How Much Is the Deposit and How Do I Know My Tour is Confirmed?
The deposit is $20 USD from Coco/Hermosa/Panama/Riu Guanacaste/Liberia/Dreams Las Mareas/La Cruz and $30 from Tamarindo/Flamingo/Conchal/Brasilito/JW Marriott/Portrero.
When you fill out the form, you will automatically be taken to Paypal in order to send the deposit. We will also send you an email with all details and send you a confirmation email once the tour is reserved.
How Long Is the Tour?
Depending on your location, pickup is usually around 4:30 AM – 6 AM. Depending on how long the border takes, you will return around 8 – 10 PM.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Please being your original passport, a printed ticket out of Costa Rica (a screenshot on your phone works too if you don’t have a paper copy), comfortable shoes and clothes, a rain jacket during rainy season, a day bag and camera.
We also highly recommend buying/bringing snacks. The tour includes breakfast and lunch but not dinner. Sometimes the border returning to Costa Rica may take awhile so it is best to bring something to munch on as the tour doesn’t make any stops for food in the evening except the border. The tour company includes water.
You can buy snacks at the border, Masaya market or Granada.
Does Nicaragua Take USD?
Yes. If you want to do some souvenir shopping, bring small USD. They will give you your change back in cordobas, the Nicaraguan currency. If you want your change back in USD, you have to ask.
Do I Need a Visa to Nicaragua?
United States and Canada do not need a visa. Please check the Nicaragua embassy website for your passport country to see if you need a visa. You will be responsible for checking if your passport needs a visa to Nicaragua and if so, for any extra visa fees.
Can I Do the Nicaragua One Day Tour From San Jose?
No. This tour only picks up in northern Guanacaste, the furthest they go is Tamarindo/JW Marriott Guanacaste.
San Jose to the Nicaraguan border is a 6-7 hour drive, so it is much too far. If you’d like to do the tour, the best option is to travel to Liberia and get picked up from there.
Lori says
Does this tour include a boat ride on the Nicaragua lake?
Sammi says
It does!
George Dowler says
Hi, We are tentatively planning on doing this tour on the 13th of March and will be staying at the Best Western in Liberia. Is it possible to be picked up/dropped off there? If so how would we arrange it.
Thank you for the help…….again…
Regards
George D
Sammi says
Hi George, yes they pick up and drop off there. Select Liberia in the location drop down and write the name of the hotel.
Margaret says
We will be in Costa Rica on February 9 to 15 and planning to do a day trip to Nicaragua for 3 people. We will be staying at Breeze Private Residences. Is a pick up possible from there? Also, can you please recommend a private shuttle company for pick up from Liberia to Breeze Private Residences.
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Margaret, they can pick you up from Breeze Private Residences, the meeting point will be at the gate of the complex.
Margaret says
Great! Thank you.
Katie says
Is the tour running any days from Dec 23-28?
Sammi says
It is except for 24 and 25!
Christina Logue says
Hi
Can you tell me where the pick up is in flamingo?
We are staying in the flamingo towers condos so just wondering where I’d need to leave my car.
Thanks
Christina
Sammi says
Hi Christina, the company can pick you up at Flamingo Towers Condo!
Christina Logue says
Awesome! Thank you!
Jackie says
Would you recommend the one day tour even though there is a travel alert to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
Hi Jackie, the one day tour has been operating normally for awhile and it is not that bad anymore in Nicaragua. We recently went on the one day tour a few months ago and I just went to Nicaragua last month and it was fine for where we went (the touristic areas where the tour goes to). There is a possibility of things starting up again but the tour companies are always on alert and making sure they know the situation so if it gets bad, they will cancel the tour due to safety but so far, it’s been running like normal.
Sabrina says
Hi we are staying in Rinconcito Lodge 918, Provincia de Guanacaste, Bagaces, 50403, Costa Rica is there a way to go on the tour to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
Hi Sabrina, they can but there is an additional transportation cost due to the distance as they have to hire a separate vehicle just to pick up at Rinconito Lodge. The extra fee is $100 for the roundtrip transfer (total).
Sheena Ross says
Hi. For the Nicaragua Day trip, does the company pick up in La Cruz? I can’t find that option listed on the booking form. If they do, do you have any idea of timing, pricing and pick up location?
Thank you
Sheena
Sammi says
Hi Sheena, they do pick up at La Cruz (on the form you can choose the Dreams Mareas option but write that you will be in La Cruz and which hotel you’re at). Usually the pick up is around 630 AM depending on your hotel. The price is $140 USD per person, $130 USD with our discount.