Exploring Corn Island, Nicaragua: A Travel Guide

The Corn Islands are two sister islands, Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island, located about 50 miles east of the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. There are two main ways to get to Little Corn Island: by plane and by bus and boat.

To get to Little Corn Island by plane, you will need to book a flight with La Costena airlines from Managua. These flights cannot be found on Skyscanner, so you will have to book directly on the operator's website. La Costena offers two flights a day from Managua, leaving at 7 am and 2 pm, with prices ranging from $80 to $115. The journey is around 1.5 hours, including a quick stop in Bluefields to let some passengers off and let more passengers on.

To get to Little Corn Island by bus and boat, you will need to take a direct bus from Managua 'El Mayoreo' Bus Station to Bluefields, which takes around 8.5 hours and costs 280 C$ (roughly $8 USD). From Bluefields, you will need to take a passenger boat to Big Corn Island, which leaves twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and takes about 6.5 hours. Finally, you will need to take a boat taxi from Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island, which takes about 30 minutes.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so the best choice for you will depend on your budget and how much time you have.

Travel by plane to Corn Island

The Corn Islands are a pair of islands off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, consisting of Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island. The only way to reach the islands by air is via Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. International flights to Managua are available with United Airlines, American Airlines, Avianca, Copa, Aero Mexico, and occasionally others. From Managua, you can fly to Big Corn Island with La Costeña, Nicaragua's national airline. La Costeña offers two daily flights from Managua to the Corn Islands, with tickets costing around $164.22 to $200 USD for a round trip.

When booking your flight, you can do so online, by phone, or in person. Booking online may incur extra surcharges for luggage, even if you are not bringing any, and a "Preferential Fare" charge. It is recommended to check the website for availability and then book via phone or email to avoid these extra charges. La Costeña's reservations office can be reached at (+505) 2298 5360, and they have English-speaking agents available upon request. You can also book your tickets in person at the La Costeña ticket office at the Managua airport, where you can pay by cash or credit card. However, it is advised to book in advance, especially during the high season, as seats can be limited.

Upon arrival at the Managua airport, you will need to pay a small departure tax of $10 USD per person at the La Costeña check-in area. As for luggage, La Costeña allows one piece of checked luggage of up to 30 lbs and one carry-on item of up to 20 lbs. Any additional weight will incur a charge of $1.95 USD per extra pound.

The flight time from Managua to Big Corn Island is typically around 75 to 90 minutes, depending on wind conditions. Once you land at Big Corn Island, you can take a taxi to the wharf to catch a boat to Little Corn Island. The taxi ride costs around $1 USD per person, and the boat ride to Little Corn Island costs $10 USD per person each way.

It is important to note that the only airport in the Corn Islands is located on Big Corn Island. There is no airport on Little Corn Island, so you will need to take a boat to reach that island. Additionally, the boat crossing can be affected by bad weather, and it is recommended to take motion sickness precautions if you are prone to seasickness.

Travel by bus and boat to Corn Island

To get to Corn Island, Nicaragua, by bus and boat, you need to go via Managua and Bluefields.

Firstly, make your way to the Mayoreo Market in Managua. From here, you can take a bus to Bluefields. The bus costs 320 cordobas (around 9 USD) and takes between 7 and 8 hours. Buses depart at 6 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, 2:30 pm, 5 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm, and 11 pm. It is recommended that you buy your ticket in advance.

Once you arrive at the Bluefields bus station, take a taxi to the city centre or port, which costs around 1 USD. You can either stay the night in Bluefields for around 12 USD, or take a night bus if you want to save on accommodation costs.

The boat from Bluefields to Big Corn Island leaves at 9 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays and costs 280 cordobas (around 8 USD). The journey takes around 7 hours. Be aware that the boat will not depart if the weather is bad, so you may get stuck in Bluefields for a few days.

From Big Corn Island, you can take a panga (a small boat) to Little Corn Island. The panga costs 10 USD if the weather is good, and 20 USD if they need to use a bigger boat. The journey takes around 30 minutes in the panga and an hour in the bigger boat.

Travel from Managua to Bluefields

There are several ways to travel from Managua to Bluefields, Nicaragua, depending on your budget and time constraints. Here are some options to consider:

By Plane

Flying is the quickest way to get from Managua to Bluefields, with a flight time of around 45 minutes to 1 hour. La Costeña operates daily flights between the two cities, and tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the airport. The views of the coastline and the sea during the flight are stunning. However, flights can be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather, so it's essential to have a backup plan. Additionally, Bluefields Airport is small and may not have many amenities or services.

By Bus

Taking the bus from Managua to Bluefields is a more affordable option and is ideal for those who want to experience the Nicaraguan countryside and scenery. The journey takes around 8 hours, and buses are usually comfortable, with air conditioning and reclining seats. You can board the bus from the Mercado Mayoreo bus station in Managua, and rest stops are provided along the way. However, the roads can be bumpy, so expect a slightly uneven ride.

By Car

If you prefer a more flexible and personalised journey, you can opt for private transportation services that offer cars, vans, or buses. This option can be more expensive than taking the bus, but it provides comfort and allows you to make stops along the way to explore attractions or take photos.

Regardless of your chosen mode of transportation, remember to pack snacks and water, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a camera to capture the beautiful sights along the way. Planning ahead and booking your transportation in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, is also recommended.

Travel from Bluefields to Big Corn Island

To get from Bluefields to Big Corn Island, you can either take a plane or a car ferry.

Plane

The fastest way to get from Bluefields to Big Corn Island is to fly. The flight takes around 20-35 minutes and costs $110-$320. Skyway flies this route once daily.

Car Ferry

The cheapest way to get from Bluefields to Big Corn Island is to take a car ferry, which costs $5-$16. However, this option is also the most time-consuming, taking approximately 12 hours. There is no direct ferry from Bluefields to Big Corn Island. To make this journey, you must first take a car ferry from Bluefields to El Bluff, and then another car ferry from El Bluff to Big Corn Island.

Travel from Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island

Once you have arrived at Big Corn Island, you can take a taxi to the municipal dock, where you can catch a public panga (a small boat) to Little Corn Island. The taxi from the airport to the dock costs around 30 cordobas (approximately $1 US per person), and the panga costs $10 US per person each way.

The panga crossing takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on sea conditions. The ride can be bumpy and there is a chance of getting wet, so it is recommended that you bring a waterproof bag for your valuables and electronics. If you suffer from seasickness, it is advisable to take motion sickness pills before the journey.

The panga schedule varies, but as of March 2023, the panga from Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island departs at 4:30 pm and arrives at 5:00 pm. The return journey from Little Corn Island to Big Corn Island departs at 6:30 am and arrives at 7:00 am. It is recommended that you arrive at the dock 1-2 hours early to purchase your ticket, as tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you would like to go directly to a hotel on Little Corn Island, you can arrange a chartered panga with Captain Peter's Charter Service. This option allows you to avoid carrying your bags around Big Corn Island and will bring you directly to your hotel.

Travel from Managua to Little Corn Island

To get from Managua to Little Corn Island, you have two main options:

Option 1: Fly to Big Corn Island and then take the panga to Little Corn Island

La Costeña, Nicaragua's national airline, offers daily flights from Managua to Big Corn Island. The base round-trip ticket cost is approximately $164 US, but there are additional surcharges depending on how you book your tickets and how much luggage you bring. It is recommended that you book your tickets by phone or email to avoid the extra surcharges for booking online.

Option 2: Take a bus to Bluefields, then a ferry to Big Corn Island, and finally, the panga to Little Corn Island

This option is cheaper but takes much longer. First, take a bus from Managua to Bluefields, which takes about 8 hours and costs around C$320 per person. Then, take the ferry from Bluefields to Big Corn Island, which runs twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 am and costs $12 each way. Finally, take the panga from Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island as described above.

Additional Information

• It is recommended that you check the weather forecast before your trip, as boat transport to Little Corn Island may be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
• The panga schedule is usually coordinated with the airline schedule, so you can typically take the morning panga from Little Corn Island to catch the morning flight from Big Corn Island to Managua.
• When travelling on the panga, sitting in the front of the boat is the driest but bumpiest place to sit, while sitting in the back is the smoothest but wettest. Some guests prefer the back 2-3 rows in the middle for a balance between smoothness and dryness.

Frequently asked questions