I am gonna travle to Nicaragua in September and was checking flights on the internet and only found flights which arrive in Managua in the evening between 5 and 8 pm. I would have to get to Leon somehow, but I was reading in other posts that it is quite dangerous to travel in Nicaragua during the night. Is there any safe way to make it at that time on the day from Managua to Leon? Does the UCA bus also drive during the night?
Thanks!
Not sure about night buses from Managua to Leon but I think it's wise to stay a night and go during the day. Road to Leon is pretty much a direct shot and shouldn't take longer than 4 hours (as far as I remember). It's also much quicker to take a mini bus (waiting in front of Universidad Centroamericana in Managua) instead of taking those bigger school buses.
You could take a cab ($10-15) from the airport to the UCA if you land at 5. I think the last bus to Leon leaves around 8 or 9. But, beware of Managua in general. Only trust a taxi from the airport.
You could probably pay a taxi driver (from the airport) $50-60 to take you to Leon right then. Or you could splurge at the Best Western across the street and head out the next day. It would be cheaper just to splurge for the cab though.
Leon is only an hour and a half drive from Managua if you are in a taxi or direct bus. Chicken buses take about three hours I think.
I had arrived into Managua around the same time frame heading up to Leon and after much back and forth, I figured what difference will a few hours make anyway, and decided to stay in Managua (Managua Backpackers Inn www.managuahostel.com ). It was fine for a night, cheap and clean, good location and very close to head to the UCA terminal to catch an early mini bus to Leon.
the cheapest transport i found (other than buses) was to book something with tierra tours. it was $55 usd for a private cab that picked us up at the airport and dropped us off at the airport
the roads were fine but we arrived in the day time
Paxeos is $20. I wish I'd known about Paxeos before I went because I had to pay $18 for the official airport taxi to the minibus station (they would not bargain and I'd read here that the taxis across the street were less safe these days). It's only $2 by minibus for the ride to Leon but...that still ends up being the same price as Paxeos.
I don't think Paxeos is that cheap to go to Leon. Think the $20 is to Granada, thought it was at least $60 to Leon. Take Trapperchica's advice.
