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Thinking of trip from San Jose to nica border by bus, and taxi to San Juan del Sur. Anyone familiar with taxi cost/ time, or have other travel suggestions?
I would prefer not to fly to Managua and drive down to SJDS

I forgot if there were taxis at the crossing, but I think there were where you got of the bus to go to SanJuan delSur. But the bus wasn't bad and it's easy. From the bus terminal in Liberia, hop a bus to Peñas Blancas. At the border, get your passport stamped at the CR side and walk a little further than a quarter mile to the Nicaraguan side. Pay $5 in US dollars to get stamped in Nicaragua. It helps to have small change ($1s and $5s in dollars, small denominations of colones and cordobas). Cross the wall that separates the border area from the restaurants either through the gate or at the needle where the trucks approach and catch the bus to Rivas. Dońt go all the way to Rivas but get off at La Virgen. From La Virgen, which is basically an intersection, catch the bus to San Juan del Sur.

What DGD has described would be the most economical way to get to San Juan del Sur, but definitely not the quickest. I would recommend taking either TransNica or Ticabus from San Jose to Rivas (roughly 6 hours, $10.00) and then a taxi to San Juan del Sur (20 minutes, $8 to $10). You could also get off the bus at Penas Blancas and take a cab from there to San Juan del Sur which would be quicker, but the cab ride would cost you about $25.00.

Thx for info. I'm looking at taking Nicabus, which I hear is better( ? ) right on thru border, and taking taxi from border, or maybe La Virgen. I have heard that the bus comes thru every half hour at La Virgen, but I wonder how it would look to banditos/etc for a fat, old gringo and a hot colombiana standing in the middle of nowhere waiting for a bus. Any thoughts on activities to keep a colombiana, who isn't particularly enthused about SJDS, busy for 3/4 days?

have you considered Panama instead?

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Been there a couple of times, and have been dying to see what Nicaragua has to offer. I have heard both good and bad, so I have got to see for myself. THX

diablo: please post a trip report when u get back and have some time, how you got there, how you liked SJDS, hotels, bars, etc--it's been a long time.