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Traveling to Big Corn Island

Chicago, Illinois
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Traveling to Big Corn Island
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I have an international flight that arrives into Managua at 1:07 PM. There is a flight to the Corn Islands leaving from Managua at 2:30 PM and I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this connection before to know if this is enough time. We obviously will need to get through customs but if we're departing from the same airport I would think this would be possible. Any insights would be great!

Boston...
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1. Re: Traveling to Big Corn Island
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Check in time for the 2:30 flight would be 1pm. La Costena is right outside the Managua airport- you just walk outside. If you’re flying in from the US it should be quick with customs. You should have plenty of time, as long as there are no delays or problems that slow you down. Use carry on luggage if possible. Also get directions on finding la costena so you aren’t wandering around.

Last time my plane landed at 12:20 and I had a ton of extra time before the 2:30 flight

Edited: 6 years ago
Little Corn Island...
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Hi, That's cutting it kind of close. La Costeña expects you to be there for check-in 1 1/2 hours in advance, and if the flight is sold out, they start giving up seats for standby passengers.

However, they do keep track of arriving Intl flights, and I'd suggest giving them a call to let them know when you'll be arriving, and see what they can do.

You're right BTW, it will take a little time to get thru immigration and customs, depending on if other flights are also arriving when yours does. Once you're out, go left when leaving the Intl terminal.. La Costena is at the other end from the exit where you come out of customs.

If you get stuck overnight, there's a Best Western across the street, and a great place called Camino Real a short shuttle ride away. I also highly recommend Managua Hills B&B.. About a $15 cab ride away, but much cheaper than the airport hotels.

Hope you make it, and make sure to visit Little Corn while you in the area.. It's a "don't miss".

Hope this helps!

J

New York
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280 posts
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3. Re: Traveling to Big Corn Island
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Regarding your return- make sure you don's miss your return flight home! Our lovely panga broke in the middle of the ocean.. aside from a terrifying and nauseating experience it made us us miss our flight. And all other flights that day and the next were sold out. We ended up chartering our own plane with a group of others that were in the same situation- not cheap!! If you go to little corn be back on Big with PLENTY of time to get to the airport just in case!

Dont let my terrifying panga deter you- Little Corn was so magnificent I would do it again (with my own life vest next time, which I saw many locals have)

Winnipeg, Canada
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I emailed La Costena, because we also arrive at 1pm and the Corn flight leaves at 2:30. They said if I book our Costena flights online, then check-in is only 1/2 hr ahead? Not sure if I understood them correctly, but twice they said that timeframe would be ok!

It better be, because I'm about to book those flights. :)

And thanks to all the wonderful advice about the pangas and flights - we are doing the Corn Islands at the beginning of our trip - rather than at the end. And we just decided to spend 2 nights on BC (assuming weather is all good), rather than 1... Just in case. Rather than leaving the penga til Sat am, with a flight out of BC Sun. am.!

Winnipeg, Canada
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ps bstensgard: we clear Customs in Denver, so that is helpful for us.

Little Corn Island...
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I just know from experience that they expect you there 1 1/2 hours in advance of the flight. But if they told you something different I can't challenge that.

Spending a day/night on BC before heading out on your return flight to Managua is always a safe bet, in case of any chance of weather delays.

BTW.. Regardless of what you do with customs and immigration on your way here, you will ALSO have to go through immigration check AND customs when you arrive in Managua. As long as they don't decide to do a hand search of your luggage, both are usually pretty quick.

Then get yourself straight to the La Costeña terminal!

(I just saw your direct messages.. will reply shortly)

Campbell River...
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How much is the flight per person return from Managua to Big Corn Island?

Can you purchase your tickets at Terminal 2 @ Airport in Managua?, is this the cheapest place and way to get flight tickets?

Little Corn Island...
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145 posts
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Hi Hapecamper,

Buying tickets in person at their ticket office (right next to the La Costeña terminal main entrance) or by phone gets you the cheapest price: $164.22us R/T

If you book online you will pay an additional $18 "other charge" plus the fares are variable.. sometimes more than $200

Pro Tip #1: If you're not sure of the exact date that you want to come back, you can book "open return" for the same price. Then once you know your return date, just call them with your ticket number to make the return reservation

Pro Tip # 2: They can be hard to reach by phone.. Keep trying.

9. Re: Traveling to Big Corn Island

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