San José to Matagalpa by bus
Matagalpa lies 388 km (241 mi) north-west of San José, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
A coach takes about 7 h 13 min including stops, over roughly 474 km (294 mi) of road.
| San José | Matagalpa | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
| Population | 335,007 | 109,089 |
| Elevation | 1,133 m (3,717 ft) | 689 m (2,260 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-6 (America/Costa_Rica) | UTC-6 (America/Managua) |
What changes when you arrive in Matagalpa
Crossing from Costa Rica into Nicaragua: money changes from the Colon to the Cordoba (NIO); the dialling code becomes +505; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q11185210 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648801.
Where to book buses from San José to Matagalpa
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Matagalpa
Live rooms and prices for Matagalpa are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Matagalpa
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Matagalpa from San José?
388 km (241 mi) in a straight line, north-west of San José; by road roughly 474 km (294 mi).
How long does it take to get from San José to Matagalpa by bus?
About 7 h 13 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between San José and Matagalpa?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Matagalpa?
The Cordoba (NIO).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.