San José to Managua flights
Managua lies 340 km (211 mi) north-west of San José, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 11 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| San José | Managua | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
| Population | 335,007 | 973,087 |
| Elevation | 1,133 m (3,717 ft) | 108 m (354 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-6 (America/Costa_Rica) | UTC-6 (America/Managua) |
| Nearest large airport | SJO, 15 km out | MGA, 9 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Managua
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.
Airports at each end
Leaving San José
San José is served by 4 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), 15 km (9 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,882 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ, 7 km), Quepos Managua Airport (XQP, 55 km), La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON, 80 km).
Arriving in Managua
Managua is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport (MGA), 9 km (6 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,012 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport | MGA | 9 km (6 mi) | 8,012 ft | 194 ft |
Book a flight to Managua
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Staying in Managua
Our booking partner lists 165 places to stay in Managua. Of the 131 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (81), and 8 are five-star. Across 44 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 18,996 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Managua
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 Managua from San José?
340 km (211 mi) in a straight line, north-west of San José.
How long does it take to get from San José to Managua by air?
About 1 h 11 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between San José and Managua?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for San José to Managua flights?
Typically Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport (MGA).
What currency do I need in Managua?
The Cordoba (NIO).
Where can I stay in Managua?
Our booking partner lists 165 places to stay in Managua, bookable on this site.
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.