Overland from Nicaragua to the Bay Islands
As a general rule, if you are in Nicaragua and looking to travel towards the Bay Islands, you are probably in Granada or in Leon. If you are in Granada, the best option is to go to Managua and from there take either the Tica Bus or the Transnica Bus to Honduras. If you are in Leon, the options are even a bit more ample.
Despite the fact that the Nicaraguan cities of Granada and Leon are not that far from La Ceiba, if you draw a direct line on a map, the fact is that there are no direct roads. You must travel to Tegucigalpa and then continue on the North Coast of Honduras, specifically to the city of La Ceiba to catch the ferry to the Islands.
The regularly scheduled buses do not normally travel across the borders, forcing you to change buses there. This means picking up your suitcase or backpack, carry it across the border, do your immigration thing and then find another bus on the opposite side of the border to continue your journey. Sound like a hassle? It is!
However, there are two different options that will actually take you to the border, cross you into the next country and then continue on the same bus as far as Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula. The bus companies are Transnica (www.transnica.com) and Tica Bus(www.ticabus.com) . Transnica, takes the highway that uses the Las Manos border crossing between Nicaragua and Honduras, and therefore does not travel via Leon, so you will have to either go back to Managua or find your way to Esteli to be able to catch the bus. If you choose this option, I suggest Managua, as it is easier and faster. The bus departs from Managua in the afternoon, so you have no problem leaving Leon or Granada in the morning and getting to Managua in time to purchase your ticket and get on the bus. The bus arrives in Tegucigalpa in the evening, after dark, so if you are not familiar with Tegucigalpa, and are just looking for an option to spend the night, I strongly suggest the Hotel Alameda, which is where the bus will arrive anyway. The next morning you can catch a bus to La Ceiba, for comfort, take the Hedman Alas(www.hedmanalas.com) or Viana (www.vianatrasportes.com) companies, they have a stopover in San Pedro Sula, but will get you to La Ceiba in time for the ferry. For a shorter and less expensive trip, catch Transportes Cristina, (www.transportescristina.com) they go direct, without passing through San Pedro Sula, and the trip will be about 7 hours long versus 9 or 10 on the more comfortable companies.
Your second option is to take Tica Bus from Managua or Leon to Honduras. The bus does not enter Leon, but they do have an agent in the city that sells tickets and you can catch the bus at one of the gas stations on the outskirts of town. Tica bus takes the Pacific Coast route, Using the Guasaule Border crossing and will actually take you as far as San Pedro Sula that same day, putting you closer to La Ceiba!
If you have taken the Tica Bus option, you will arrive in Tegucigalpa with daylight and will have time to choose your hotel here, however if you are really trying to get to the Bay Islands, you are better off going on to San Pedro Sula, that will put you only 3 hours from La Ceiba and the ferry to the islands. Tica bus is scheduled to arrive in San Pedro Sula at 6:00 p.m. so you will have to spend the night in San Pedro Sula, as the bus will arrive after the last bus to La Ceiba has departed. No hotels near the bus terminal, so you will need a taxi to take you to one. I suggest Hostal La Hamaca, but there are many different options.
Last, but not least, you can take a shuttle bus from Leon, Nicaragua twice a week. Tickets can be purchased at the Big Foot Hostel in Leon (www.bigfoothostels.com) . Cost, $80 US dollars one way. Sound expensive? Not really if you consider that it will get you to La Ceiba in time to catch the afternoon ferry to Utila or Roatan!
Whatever option you take, you should not miss out on visiting the Cangrejal River Valley in La Ceiba, a great option to get to know the rain forest, relax in nature and and enjoy some world class rafting! For more information, visit (www.cangrejalriver.com) .
