Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Nicaragua take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
I found the bus experience in Nicaragua chaotic. No cards, no clear timetables, and constant hassle over change. In Managua, I tried catching a bus from Mercado Oriental, and the conductor kept pushing me to pay more because I only had a 100 NIO note. For long-distance buses, I had to carry stacks of cash, which didn’t feel safe. Compared to neighboring Costa Rica where you can sometimes use card, Nicaragua feels like it’s still stuck decades behind.
The buses in Nicaragua were incredibly cheap. From Managua to Masaya, I paid coins worth less than 50 cents. Yes, they’re cash-only, but it kept the system simple and accessible. On chicken buses from León to the beach at Las Peñitas, everyone piled in with coins and small notes, and it worked fine. It felt very local and authentic, and I never worried about losing money because fares were so low.
When I stayed at Hostal Monte Cristi near Managua airport, I took buses into the city center. Every single ride was cash-only, with fares around 5-10 NIO. I tried offering a $10 USD note on a microbus to Granada, and the conductor laughed before waving me off until I found córdobas. Even on the long Tica Bus toward Costa Rica, they asked for cash at the counter. Cards aren’t practical here - you really need local currency in small bills.
Nicaragua has no metro, and public buses are almost entirely cash-based. In Managua, you’ll see big yellow buses and microbuses that cost just a few córdobas. You pay the driver or conductor directly, and they rarely have change for big notes. Long-distance buses to León, Granada, or San Juan del Sur also require cash - tickets are sold at the bus terminal counters. No card machines are in use.