Driving from San José to Chinandega
Chinandega lies 447 km (278 mi) north-west of San José, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
Driving takes about 6 h 49 min without stops, over roughly 546 km (339 mi) of road; add breaks, fuel and any border.
Open Chinandega in Google Maps
| San José | Chinandega | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
| Population | 335,007 | 126,387 |
| Elevation | 1,133 m (3,717 ft) | 69 m (226 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-6 (America/Costa_Rica) | UTC-6 (America/Managua) |
What changes when you arrive in Chinandega
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 car hire from San José to Chinandega
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 Chinandega
Live rooms and prices for Chinandega are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Chinandega
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 Chinandega from San José?
447 km (278 mi) in a straight line, north-west of San José; by road roughly 546 km (339 mi).
How long does it take to get from San José to Chinandega by car?
About 6 h 49 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between San José and Chinandega?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Chinandega?
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 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel 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.