How To Get From El Tunco to Leon (Nicaragua): FULL Guide

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Looking for the best ways to get from El Tunco to Leon? You’re in the right place! If you’re backpacking Central America, travelling from El Tunco (El Salvador) to Leon (Nicaragua) is one of the most popular backpacker routes.

Unfortunately, the distance between El Tunco and Leon is pretty big, and because of the border crossing, travelling by land does take quite a while. However, it can be done, and it is all explained in this blog post!

So, how do you travel between El Tunco and Leon? This post outlines everything you need to know about the shuttle and buses between the two locations, including safety, journey times, border crossings and more. But as always, if you still have a burning question to ask, be sure to drop me a message on Instagram to ask.

So, let’s start and discuss all the possible ways to travel from El Tunco to Leon (and vice versa).

Did you know I’ve written an in-depth guide about backpacking El Salvador? Check it out for what to do, public transport, where to stay, what to eat, how to stay safe and everything in between! ➡️ View the backpacking El Salvador guide now!

🇸🇻 Other Central America posts:

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How To Get From El Tunco to Leon (Nicaragua): A Summary

Contents

It’s important to note that El Tunco is in El Salvador and Leon is in Nicaragua. These two countries are commonly on a Central American backpacking trip, and are easy to travel between.

As the two locations are in different countries, whichever way you travel between the two will involve a border crossing. It also includes travelling into Honduras en route to Nicaragua, so you will have an extra border crossing involved. This racks up to be a lot of time on a shuttle bus!

The journey from El Tunco to Leon is known for being one of the worst in Central America. From the two border crossings to the bumpy roads and ridiculous travel times, it’s one of the most draining Latin America journeys. But, it’s all worth it when you step off the shuttle and arrive in a new country!

In summary, there are two main ways to get from El Tunco to Leon:

Shuttle (most common backpacker way, but the longest)
Plane and shuttle or private transfer (more expensive, but quicker)

Getting a tourist shuttle is the most common way to travel around Central America, and is something we did many times. They’re not the most comfortable, but they’re safe and reliable.

Prices vary for shuttles, and depend on who you book with, and how far in advance you book. I recommend checking online first to try and get the best deal, and to confirm your spot. ➡️ Check shuttle prices now!

⚠️🚌 Things to expect when on shuttle buses in Central America: being pulled over for no reason, having to change shuttles in the middle of the night, drivers welcoming their family into the bus to share it with you, drivers stopped for a mid-drive wee, breaking down, questionable ‘roads’ and journey times taking a whole lot longer than you ever planned for.

Santa Ana To El Tunco — ***Shuttle buses in El Salvador***

1. Shuttle from El Tunco to Leon

If you are getting the shuttle from El Tunco to Leon, one of the main companies is Marvelus Travel. The shuttle carries around 12 people and leaves El Tunco from the Papaya Lodge hostel.

On a good day, the shuttle is meant to take 11 hours. However, this isn’t always the case, and it can sometimes take up to 20 hours. This is because of the multiple land crossings in both Honduras and Nicaragua. Be prepared for a long journey!

However, the shuttle leaves Papaya Lodge daily at 9 am. It aims to get to Nicaragua at 8 pm (but as I said, we’ve known shuttles to arrive way past midnight!).

During the shuttle journey from El Tunco to Leon, you can expect long travel times and waiting times. The worst being Honduras. They didn’t seem to be in any rush when letting people cross the border, so you may be waiting here a while.

There are a few rest stops along the way, but they can be far apart and infrequent. Be sure to go to the toilet before you leave and stock up on snacks!

💸 TOP TIP: there is no exit fee for leaving El Salvador, but a $2 fee for entering Honduras (which can be paid in USD or Honduran Lempira), and then a $13-20 fee for entering Nicaragua. This changes consistently, and there is no set amount that has been confirmed for entering Nicaragua. This can be paid in US dollars or Nicaraguan Córdobas.

BOOK YOUR SHUTTLE NOW!

Crossing the border and driving through Honduras

During this journey, there is around a 4-hour drive through Honduras. Don’t expect this journey to be smooth sailing. It is a regular occurrence for shuttles to be pulled over by police and armed guards, checking who is onboard, passports and belongings.

Don’t panic – this is regular protocol, but it can seem a bit daunting in the middle of the night.

The border crossing itself is simple and straightforward, but it really depends on who is in charge when considering how long it is going to take. Some shuttles can be held for up to four hours at the Honduran border!

Note that if you want to buy any refreshments or snacks at the Honduran border, you will need Honduran Lempira. They do not accept US dollars (the currency of El Salvador) or Córdoba (the currency of Nicaragua).

2. Flying from El Tunco to Leon

The quicker way to travel from El Tunco to Leon is by flying. However, even this option still requires getting a shuttle, hiring a car or a private driver at the other end!

In short, when travelling from El Tunco to Leon by plane, you will need to:

➡️ Travel from El Tunco to El Salvador International Airport (50 minutes)

➡️ Fly to the capital of Nicaragua, Managua (1-hour flight)

➡️ Either board a shuttle bus from Managua to Leon (3 hours), hire a car and drive to Leon yourself, or book a private transfer.

If you have the budget, I highly recommend booking a private transfer. This way you can travel in your own space, from Managua airport, directly to your Leon hotel or hostel.

CHECK FLIGHT PRICES NOW!

Where to stay in El Tunco, El Salvador

There are currently two hostels that I recommend for staying in El Tunco. They are Papaya Lodge and Canuck’s Guest House. Both are centrally located in El Tunco, are safe, and are perfect for backpackers.

🇸🇻 Papaya Lodge is suited for backpackers who want to socialise and party. It’s just minutes away from all of the best nightlife and attracts young, solo backpackers.

🇸🇻 Canuck’s Guest House is perfect for digital nomads, couples and backpackers who want to surf, chill and socialise. It’s a new hostel with rave reviews – I think it may slowly overtake Papaya Lodge with being the best hostel in El Tunco!

➡ Book a stay in Papaya Lodge here, or a stay in Canuck’s Guest House here!

Best hostels in El Tunco — ***Papaya Lodge, El Tunco***

Where to stay in Leon, Nicaragua

If you are visiting Leon for the first time, I recommend one of the following accommodations. They are all centrally located, in a safe area and are great for first-timers in the city.

Poco a Poco Hostel: one of the most popular backpacker hostels in Leon.

ViaVia Leon: another highly recommended backpacker hostel in Leon.

Hotel Flor De Sarta: for a reasonably priced boutique hotel in Leon.

Hotel El Convento Leon Nicaragua: for a touch of luxury in Leon.

VIEW ALL LEON ACCOMMODATION HERE!

El Tunco to Leon: FAQs

1) Can I take a drone into Nicaragua?

No, you are not able to take a drone into Nicaragua! This is a huge problem for photographers, bloggers and creatives. Unfortunately, drones are not allowed in Nicaragua, and there aren’t many ways around it. The border crossing is also incredibly strict with this, so sneaking it in isn’t an option!

If you are backpacking Central America, it is worth posting your drone from a DHL store (there’s one in San Salvador, and one in San Jose in Costa Rica) to the location after Nicaragua. You can expect this to cost around $100, depending on what postage you choose.

2) How do I get from Leon Nicaragua to El Salvador?

There are two ways to get from Nicaragua to El Salvador, and they include either taking a direct shuttle bus, or flying from Managua to San Salvador. ➡️ You can book your direct shuttle from Leon to El Salvador here.

Related posts: The best one-week itinerary for El Salvador

2) Is there a ferry from El Salvador to Nicaragua?

Yes, although you will need to get a shuttle from El Tunco to the ferry dock. Boats only run from El Salvador to Nicaragua every Tuesday and Friday, and apparently, the shuttles can pick you up from most locations in the country.

However, when we tried to book a ferry, we were told they were flat-out unavailable (and the person we asked looked like we had asked a very strange question). Hopefully this doesn’t happen to you, and you can find out more about the ferry here!

3) How much is the Nicaragua border crossing?

There isn’t a definite answer to how much the Nicaragua border costs, as for one person it will cost $12 USD, and for the next, it will cost $15 USD. If you are crossing the Nicaraguan border, I recommend taking at least $20 USD per person to cover your back with whatever they try to charge.

4) How do you cross the Nicaragua border?

You can either cross the Nicaraguan border by land or by plane. Both are safe and reliable ways to travel between countries in Central America.

5) Where do backpackers go in El Salvador?

If you are backpacking El Salvador for the first time, I recommend sticking to Santa Ana, El Tunco, Suchitoto, El Zonte and Lake Coatapeque. These are the most popular areas amongst backpackers in El Salvador in 2023.

Due to safety concerns, most backpackers do not stay in the capital city, San Salvador. However, this is a personal preference, and some do!

Things to do in Santa Ana — ***El Tunco to Leon***

6) Do I need a SIM card to travel around El Salvador?

Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in El Salvador. We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards.

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

7) Is El Salvador safe for backpackers?

Yes, El Salvador is safe for backpackers, but I would advise sticking to the tourist-focused and busy areas. Whilst most trips will be trouble-free, there are still areas with a high amount of crime, and some feel less safe than others.

However, the main backpacker locations (Santa Ana, El Tunco) are safe. To add extra safety precautions, stay in the main backpacker hostels in these areas.

As a reminder, these hostels in El Salvador are:

Best hostel in Santa Ana: Casa Verde, Casa Vieja Guest House or Velvet Hostal
Best hostel in El Tunco: Canuck’s Guest House or Papaya Lodge
Best hostel on Lake Coatepeque: Captain Morgan

Related posts: Best hostels in El Tunco

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

El Tunco to Leon: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about getting from El Tunco to Leon (Nicaragua). When you’re planning a trip to El Salvador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

And don’t forget I’ve written a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide about backpacking El Salvador, so be sure to check it out before you visit!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more El Salvador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

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MEET THE AUTHOR!

Jennie

TRAVEL BLOGGER

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).