How to Get to The Corn Islands
The Corn Islands, especially Little Corn, have long been one of Nicaragua’s most alluring destinations.
We first travelled out here years ago, at a time when the journey was far less straightforward, taking what felt like an endless combination of buses, pangas, and a cargo ship that seemed to leave only when the captain felt like it.
It was uncomfortable and chaotic and confusing, and also one of the most unforgettable travel experiences we’ve ever had.
Back then, we were travelling on a backpacker’s budget, determined to avoid the cost of flying even if it meant thirty-odd hours of uncertainty and a mattress that definitely shouldn’t have been inspected too closely. The Corn Islands were worth it - completely - but the process of simply figuring out how to get there was confusing, inconsistent, and, honestly, a bit bleak at times.
Things are different now.
The road across the country has been paved, ferries run on clearer schedules (mostly), and flights are easier to book in advance. The journey still takes time and patience, but it’s no longer the multi-day ordeal it once was. Whether you fly, sail, or mix the two, reaching the Corn Islands is far more manageable in 2025, and the rewards, once you finally step onto Little Corn’s soft sand or watch the sun drop into a turquoise sea, remain every bit as magical.
This guide brings together the most reliable, up-to-date information on how to get to the Corn Islands today - from the simplest flight connections to the still-very-much-budget-friendly overland and ferry route.
Option One / Bus, Ferry & Panga
Step One | Managua to Bluefields
For most people travelling by land, the journey starts in Managua. You’ll first need to reach Bluefields, the main coastal port on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua and the only place with ferries heading to the Corn Islands.
Until recently, you had to travel via El Rama and take a river panga to Bluefields - a long, unpredictable journey that added an extra day and plenty of logistical stress. Thankfully, the road from Managua to Bluefields is now fully paved, meaning direct buses make the journey far easier and faster.
Several departures run daily from Terminal Costa Caribe (Mercado Mayoreo) in Managua: 6am, 9.15am, 11.15am, 2.30pm, 8.30pm, and 11pm.
Expect the trip to take around 8 hours, including rest stops, and to cost approximately C$380 (around USD $11) per person. Buses arrive at the Bluefields terminal near from where you’ll need to hop in a taxi to reach the Puerto El Bluff from which the boats depart - located here on Google Maps.
If your goal is to catch the Wednesday or Saturday morning ferry to Big Corn Island, you’ll need to arrive in Bluefields the day before as departures leave too early to risk arriving that same morning.
There are a few simple guesthouses near the dock* and a handful of restaurants serving fresh seafood and cold Toñas, making it a decent overnight stop before the next leg.
*Note that most accommodations are not available to book online - in fact, the only place we can find that accepts in advance reservations is Hostal Doña Rosa.
Step Two | Ferry from Bluefields to Big Corn Island
Bluefields is where you’ll find the government ferries to the Corn Islands.
The two main vessels - Hilario Sánchez and Río Escondido - are operated by EPN (Empresa Portuaria Nacional), and while they’re still far from luxurious, they’re safe, reliable, and a bit more predictable than the old cargo routes.
As of 2025, ferries depart Bluefields (from Puerto El Bluff) for Big Corn Island every Wednesday and Saturday at 9am, returning from Big Corn on Thursdays and Sundays at 9am. The crossing takes around 5-7 hours, depending on the sea. Tickets can only be bought at the port ticket office, ideally the day before or early on the morning of departure. Expect to pay around C$280 (USD $8) per person.
Onboard facilities are minimal - a few benches and basic toilets - so come prepared with snacks, water, and something to protect your bag if you end up sitting outside. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is the time to dig out those tablets: the Caribbean can be gentle or ferocious, and the boats won’t sail in very rough weather.
The route stops briefly at El Bluff, just outside Bluefields, before continuing out into open sea. Once you spot Big Corn’s green hills in the distance, you’ll know the hard part is over.
If the ferry’s full or cancelled due to weather, you’ll simply need to wait for the next scheduled sailing - there are no private alternatives that cover the full route.
Step Three | Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island
Big Corn Island is where all ferries and flights arrive, but it’s Little Corn that captures most travellers’ hearts. Reaching it requires one final hop: a short but sometimes bumpy ride in an open panga across the turquoise channel that separates the two islands.
There is one guaranteed panga departure each day, with the potential of a second if enough people are waiting at the dock. As of 2025, the standard timetable is:
Big Corn to Little Corn | 4.30pm, with a potential departure at 10am
Little Corn to Big Corn | 6.30am, with a potential departure at 1.30pm
The crossing takes around 30 - 40 minutes and the cost is USD $10 each way. Tickets are bought directly at the dock. There’s little shade and you will get wet on rough days, so stash electronics and anything important in a dry bag, and keep a waterproof layer handy.
If you’ve flown in and missed the final panga of the day, you’ll need to overnight on Big Corn - there are plenty of small guesthouses and a few nicer hotels near the beach where the pangas depart. Sunset Bay B&B is a good option, but if budget is a concern The Wave Hostel is only a short walk away.
Weather is the biggest variable here: when the sea turns, the boats simply don’t run. Locals take it in stride; travellers should too. Always plan for the possibility that your return crossing could be delayed.
Option Two / Fly
If you’d rather not spend the better part of two days crossing Nicaragua and the Caribbean by land and sea, flying is by far the easiest way to reach the Corn Islands.
La Costeña, Nicaragua’s domestic airline, runs daily flights between Managua (MGA) and Big Corn Island (RNI). The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes and often includes a short stop in Bluefields. Schedules vary slightly by season, but as of late 2025 there are usually two flights per day each way:
Managua to Big Corn | 7am & 2pm daily, plus 9.30am Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Big Corn to Managua | 8.20am & 3.20pm daily, plus 11.10am Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Fares fluctuate with demand, but expect to pay around USD $95 - 105 one-way or USD $180 - 200 return. Tickets can be booked online directly with La Costeña or through local travel agents. Seats often sell out well in advance, especially in peak season (December - April), so don’t leave it until the last minute.
Baggage allowances are strict - usually around 13 kg checked and 5kg carry-on, with excess charged per pound and sometimes carried standby if the plane is full. Given that flights use small twin-prop aircraft, delays due to weather or visibility are also not uncommon.
Once you arrive on Big Corn, head straight to the port for the 30 - 40 minute panga to Little Corn, or stay the night on Big Corn if your flight lands after the last crossing.
Which Route Makes Sense for You?
If you’re on a shorter trip or want to avoid two days of buses, ferries, and unpredictable seas, fly one way or both ways. You’ll save a lot of time and arrive with energy to spare.
If you’re travelling long-term, on a smaller budget, or simply curious about seeing more of the country en route, the overland route through Bluefields is still perfectly viable - just slower, sweatier, and occasionally frustrating. It’ll cost about C$1,000 total (USD $27) from Managua to Little Corn, compared with USD $190+ for a return flight, and you’ll get the satisfaction of reaching one of Central America’s hardest-to-access islands entirely by land and sea (and that first ice cold beer overlooking the pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean will also end up tasting all the better).
The main thing to remember is that this isn’t a journey for rigid itineraries.
Ferries can be postponed, pangas cancelled, and buses delayed, especially in the rainy season (May - October). Build buffer days, pack patience, and think of it as part of the adventure.
