From Dominical (CR) to Nicaragua - by bus - How to?

Hi folks,

Does anyone have any clue how to get from Dominical to the Nicaraguan border by bus? Would I need to catch a bus to Quepos then Puntarenas, then Liberia, then to the border? Locals tell me to go to San Jose, but I dont really want to do this detour.

There is no direct bus...

So either go back to SJ for a direct bus to Nicaragua Border, or to Managua with Tica Bus or King Quality. Its 6 hours from SJ to Border...

Otherwise, Quepos to Puntarenas, 2 hours, then Puntarenas to Liberia, about 2 hours, Then every 30 minutes in daylight there are buses from Liberia to Border, about 2 hours...long day no matter what.

Once across border, taxi hire to SJDS or to San Jorge for ferry to Ometepe...

Thanks for that.
No buses from the border to San Juan, is that so?
Do you think that instead of going into Puntarenas I could catch a bus to Liberia from El Roble?

Do you think that instead of going into Puntarenas I could catch a bus to Liberia from El Roble?

I don't think so. Never heard of that. Go to Puntarenas.

No buses from the border to San Juan, is that so?

There are inexpensive shared taxis you can take from the border to SJDS. It's a really short distance. You just need to wait for a taxi to fill up. Or there are chicken buses where you can get off at a highway junction a few kms from the border and wait for a SJDS bound bus, if you want to go the rock bottom cheap way.

I have not been from Dominical to the Nicaraguan border but I am sure I have heard El Roble mentioned before. Anyway, Quepos, Puntarenas, Liberia, Penas Blancas is probably easiest. I use the bus schedule (link below) but it can be confusing and is not completely accurate/up to date... Still, the site often gives you a good general idea. But try Dominical to Liberia and then Quepos to Liberia and then try Penas Blancas instead of Liberia...
http://www.thebusschedule.com/cr/

If you want to get around by bus it is best to ask the locals.

I like this too:
https://costaricabybus.wordpress.com/page/5/
They also have a facebook site:
https://costaricabybus.wordpress.com/about/

Once you are in Nicaragua take a bus to Rivas but get off at the La Virgen junction. There wait for a bus to SJDS (or a taxi).

Thanks so much for this. Very helpful.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.