Augusto C. Sandino International Airport

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport is about 11 km from downtown Managua. A taxi or private car takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach central Managua, depending on traffic and where in the city you are staying. The airport sits on the eastern side of the city, which also makes it a convenient starting point for trips to Granada.

Managua airport has one passenger terminal that handles both international flights and La Costeña's domestic flights to the Caribbean coast. Immigration, customs, baggage claim and the taxi ranks are all in the same building, so there is no need to change terminals. The airport also has a single runway of about 2,440 m.

International airlines at Managua include Avianca, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Aeroméxico Connect and WestJet. They connect Managua with Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Mexico City, Panama City, San José, San Salvador and Guatemala City, with seasonal flights to Montréal. La Costeña operates domestic flights to Bluefields, Corn Island and Puerto Cabezas.

US citizens need a passport valid for at least six months, an onward or return ticket, and cash for the tourist entry stamp paid on arrival, which allows stays of up to 90 days. You may be asked for proof of funds. After immigration, you collect your bags and pass through customs, where cash of 10,000 US dollars or more must be declared.

Official taxi ranks and taxi cooperative desks are just outside arrivals at Managua airport. Taxis are not metered, so confirm the fare with the driver or dispatcher before you leave, and have small bills ready for payment. The ride to central Managua takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and the drive to Granada takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

Uber and inDrive both operate in Managua, but coverage is patchy and cars can be hard to find off-peak, late at night or in outer neighbourhoods. Many travelers treat ride-hailing as a backup and use an official airport taxi or a pre-booked driver instead, especially when arriving with luggage or after dark.

There is no dedicated airport bus. Nicaragua has no passenger rail, and city buses and microbuses mainly serve Managua's neighbourhoods. To reach Granada by bus, take a taxi to the UCA station in Managua, where buses to Granada leave regularly throughout the day. Shared tourist shuttles are another option for main travel hubs.

The drive from Managua airport to Granada takes about 45 to 60 minutes by taxi or private car, depending on traffic. Granada lies southeast of the capital, near Masaya and Laguna de Apoyo. Buses take longer, as you first need a taxi to the UCA station in Managua, where buses to Granada leave regularly throughout the day.

From Managua airport, the drive to San Juan del Sur on the southern Pacific coast takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and the drive to León in the northwest takes about 2 hours. Tourist shuttles serve both towns on set schedules, and booking 24 to 48 hours ahead is advised in the November to April high season.

Nicaragua uses Central Standard Time (UTC−6) all year, with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO). Managua is hot year-round, and the main dry season, which is also the busiest travel period, runs from about November to April, while the rest of the year brings more rain.

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport is operated by EAAI, the Empresa Administradora de Aeropuertos Internacionales, a state-run company. The airport handled about 1.6 million passengers in 2017. It was reopened as Las Mercedes Airport in July 1968 and has carried its current name since 2007.

Yes. The airport lies on the eastern side of Managua, about 11 km from downtown, and the drive to central Managua takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Many travelers skip the city and head straight on to Granada, Masaya or Laguna de Apoyo, or north to León.