Little Corn island is situated approximately 70km off mainland Nicaragua and is accessed from BigCornIsland, which can be reached either by plane or boat.

Air

Flights run twice daily from both Managua and Bluefields, operated by La Costena, a subsidiary of TACA airlines. La Costena can be contacted on 505-22632142 or by email to jcaballero@lacostena.com.ni. In July 2010 they have also launched an online booking system.

Flights depart Managua at 6.20am and 2pm, taking approximately 50 minutes to reach Bluefields where they stop for 10 minutes to pick up/drop off passengers before continuing onto Big Corn which takes an additional 20 minutes. It is advised that you make reservations before your journey as seats can be limited, especially in busy periods. A return journey from Managua costs $164 and you will need to reserve a seat for your return trip either on arrival at the airport in Big Corn, or by calling the airport there on 505-2575-5131

Please note though that checked in baggage is limited to 30lbs per person with an excess charge of $1.20 per pound over this. You are however allowed two carry on bags so it worth giving some though to packing before boarding.

Once you arrive at the airport you can get a taxi to the wharf for the panga to Little Corn for $1 per person.

Boat

Boats to CornIsland leave from Bluefields which can be reached either by plane from Managua as above, or you can get a bus from Managua to Rama, and then take a boat downriver from Rama to Bluefields.

Express buses leave from the Costa Atlantica Terminal in the Mercado Ivan Montenegro each evening at 9pm, arriving in Rama at approximately 3am. The cost of this service is $8 or $16 including the boat fare to Bluefields.

Chicken buses leave from the Mercado Mayoreo at 6am, 8am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm and 9pm and cost $7, but make many stops on the journey.

Once in Rama the boats to Bluefields operate when full, starting when it gets light, and cost $9.

There is one scheduled boat leaving from Bluefields to Big Corn island on Wednesday at 9am taking approximately 5 hours ($12), returning from Big Corn island to Bluefields on Thursday morning at 9am.

On occasions there may be other supply boats running from the mainland to Big Corn but there are no schedules available for these so it's just a case of being in the right place at the right time. Or if its the wrong time then waiting until the Wednesday departure or the next supply ship!

Please note though that boat times may vary so it is worth getting there in advance to check sailing times and to reserve a space.

Panga to Little Corn

There are two boats per day from Big Corn island to Little Corn each of which take approximately 30 minutes and costs $7.

Scheduled boats leave at 10am and 4.30pm which are timed to connect with the arriving flights to allow you reach Little Corn direct.

IMPORTANT NOTE

As of June 2010 La Costena airlines are now insisting that you check in at 6.40am for morning flights, and 1.40pm for evening flights, and sometimes they have been not allowing people to check in who have turned up late.

Pangas depart Little Corn at both 7am and 2pm so we recommend that you catch the boat morning boat for the afternoon flight, and afternoon boat for morning flight (meaning spending a night in Big Corn). Flights are scheduled to leave Big Corn for Managua at 8.10am and 3.10pm.

Staying in Managua?

We recommend the following places to stay if you need to overnight in Managua....

Budget - Managua Backpackers Inn - Clean, comfortable and friendly hostel within walking distance of Metrocentro mall and supermarkets.

http://www.managuahostel.com/

Boutique - Casa Naranja - Manager Federico will make you feel comfortable in this beautiful family run hotel close to restaurants, bars and business.

http://www.hotelcasanaranja.com/

Mid range - Hotel Bello Horizonte - clean comfortable hotel close to Rotonda Bello Horizonte with bars and restaurants.

Telephone (505) 22490435

Close to airport - Best Western - directly over the road from the airport, for those early starts.