www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm coming down for a month in June and want to spend some time in Granada. Anyone know if the Tica bus actually stops in Granada and is there a stop in Granada to catch it back to San Jose? If not I 'd appreciate some info on how to get in and out of Granada using the Tica bus for the majority of the trip.

Tico Bus will take you directly into Granada. If I remember correctly they will drop you off at the station and you will catch it at the same place. If not, taxis are cheap. Just ask them to take you to the Tica Bus station.

Thanks Thirdworld. Have you been to Granada? Any advice on things to do, places to stay, eat, party?

There are a surprising amount of fine restaurants between the village square and the lake, plus way kool bars with plenty of night life. Also quite a few on the lake. When I went, I was traveling with a favorita, and can not vouch for any local talent...altho I have read that it is there. The colonial architecture is absolutely beautiful, and we felt completely safe walking the streets at night. We took a boat tour of the islands, however, the hotel on the volcano island was closed at the time. By the way, it is a long ass bus trip. We got off at Rivas and took a cab to SJDS, and then a taxi to Granada later in the week. Got interviewed at immigration, both coming and going,
(guess a white gringo and a black colombiana kind of stand out in the crowd). Also got stopped in taxi to Granada, searched and asked a lot of questions--to which I replied how much I loved their country and the people because they were so beautiful, friendly, and HONEST. None of the shake downs got a penny from me
Buena suerte

Diablo, Thanks for the info. Glad to know that you felt secure on the streets at night; that's good to know. PTV that sounds like a good tip, I'll check him out. I won't be driving in Nicaragua but if I rent a bike I'll watch out for Ortega.

There is a good post by BangBang57 on Granada.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35868

i do not know how to post it as a link.

Do a search for Granada and BB57.

_________________
Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Is there a 4 hour wait at the border

I flew to Managua last month. No wait anywhere. I used 15,000 miles for the Copa ticket.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

When I went back in March the border was an easy crossing, no long lines. I just chilled in Granada.. Hung out and drank Tonas and mojitos in that area Diablo was talking about. Can actually afford to drink and eat in Nica land as opposed to here.

isn't the water in Nicaragua undrinkable for outsiders?
i read or heard that there is a parasite in the water that Nicas are heretatarly immune to.

I boiled mine in the microwave before I drank it.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Have drank tap water everytime in San Juan del Sur and Granada..

And how is the parasite treating you?

Seriously though, I drank tap water all over Costa Rica without any problems and would doubt that it's much different in southern Nicaragua.

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"All them women gonna make me,
teach 'em what they don't know how..." TMIB

See this link:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35868

_________________
Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Closest I can come to having a pet at this time Kickstand. Seriously, I did have a bit of stomach trouble coming back this last time. And it did have that feel of a parasite. When I had a parasite years ago in CR, it was pretty low grade. Didn't have me vomiting or really bad stomach. Just a low grade. No energy, no appetite. I guess I should follow the advice I give tourists coming here when I go there. Drink bottled whenever you can. But I don't freak on ice cubes or fruits and such.. Best to err on the side of safety I guess.

A really good restaurant is Zaiwan(sp?). It is located directly behind the large church on the town plaza. They have a large charcoal grill located at the back which is filled with various meats and foods. Very tasty and much cheaper than C.R.. Oh, and one of our friends got sick from drinking tap water so do what I do, Tona and\or Flor de Cano.