How to Get to Little Corn Island
The Corn Islands are two sister islands consisting of Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island. Both are located approximately 50 miles east of the Caribbean (eastern) coast of Nicaragua. Only eight miles of ocean lie between Big Corn and Little Corn Island but the two feel a world a part!
Getting to Little Corn Islands from North America
Many airlines fly to Managua, here are a few:
American | Spirit | Delta | Taca | United | Aero Mexico | Copa Air
When you reach Managua you can stay at our associate hotel the Camino Real. When arriving or making your reservations, be sure to ask for the Little Corn Beach and Bungalow rate to receive our lower negotiated discount rate for our special guests.
Getting to Little Corn Island from Managua
While you are in Managua, we can help you arrange safe and reliable transport in Managua and to other destinations such as Granada, San Juan Del Sur and Leon. Contact and let us know you would like assistance with your transportation. Or call Rogellio, the owner of Express Turtle Transportation Services, our English speaking associate at 001-505-8-623-4460, he or his brother Claudio can help with safe and reliable transportation. Let him know you are staying with us.
The simple and fastest way to get to Little Corn Island is to fly La Costena, Nicaragua’s regional airline direct to Big Corn Island.
Travel tip:
Calling (011 505 2298 5360) La Costena to secure your Managua to Big Corn Island plane reservations may be the easiest way to get your tickets.
You can book the round trip flight that cost around $169 USD (if you need an English speaking agent ask “Habla Ingles, por favor?”).
La Costena accepts Visa, MC, Nicaraguan Cordobas and US Dollars. You can also book online at La Costena .
Booking Tip #1:
We almost always find it easier to book over the phone, you will be on hold for a bit, and have to ask for an English speaking agent a few times but it seems to work better.
La Costena’s Managua and Big Corn Island schedule as of March 2017
- Managua to Big Corn Island (BCI) Departures
- 6:30 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
- Big Corn Island (BCI) to Managua Departures
- 8:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Getting From Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island
After arriving at Big Corn Island Airport, retrieve your bags and ask one of the local cab drivers ($1 USD per person) to take you to Brigg Bay to catch the Panga to Little Corn Island. The cab ride to the Panga takes less than 10 minutes and should cost about $1 USD per person.
Once you arrive at Brigg Bay, on the right hand side as you pass through the harbor entrance gate is the “ticket office” for the Panga. Purchase your tickets here and pay your 3 Cordoba (about $0.10 USD) harbor tax.
Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island Panga Schedule
The Panga costs 180 Cordobas or $7 USD one way. Purchase your ticket prior to boarding. They will collect your ticket and hand out life jackets when you are on the boat.
- Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island:
Departs 10:00 AM – Arrives 10:30 AM - Big Corn Island to Little Corn Island:
Departs 4:30 PM – Arrives 5:00 PM - Little Corn Island to Big Corn Island:
Departs 6:30 AM – Arrives 7:00 AM - Little Corn Island to Big Corn Island:
Departs 1:30 PM – Arrives 2:00 PM
Typically, the panga and airline schedules are coordinated. Usually taking the morning panga from Little Corn Island to catch the morning flight works out fine.
We are frequently asked if you need to stay on Big Corn Island the night before an early morning flight back to Managua. While anything can happen, we never have missed a plane by taking the morning panga to Big Corn the morning of our flight. The panga schedule coordinates with flight schedules, so enjoy another night on Little Corn, you will be glad you did.
We have always felt safe leaving our bag with a crew member or the Captain of the Panga. Be sure to take your passport and any other valuables with you! If you have time, you can go to Fishers Cave (right outside the gate on the right) for breakfast, lunch, a beer or coffee.
After riding on the open panga to Little Corn Island, you may say to yourself, “Wow, it is a pretty big adventure to get here.” Now just think how challenging running a resort on Little Corn Island must be!
- Packing Tip #1:
Bring in an easily accessible place large trash bags and place your travel bags in the trash bags before handing them over to the crew. - Packing Tip #2:
Keep an eye on your bags to be sure they are stowed on the panga and not left behind on the dock. - Packing tip #3:
If you brought a rain jacket or pancho, you may want to carry that with you when you board. - Packing tip #4:
The panga can sometimes be filled to capacity. Arrive early to purchase your tickets and be at the boat 30 minutes before boarding time. If the boat is at the dock, you can hop in and get your seat. - Packing tip #5:
If you are arriving on the 4:30 PM panga, pack you head lamp or flashlight in an easily accessible place. Nightime falls quickly in the tropics and you may need your flashlight for the walk to the hotel.
Arriving on Little Corn Island
You will arrive on Little Corn Island after the 30 to 40 minute Panga ride. We prefer to meet our guests at the Little Corn Island dock. In order to do so, please let us know in advance which boat, the 10 AM or the 4:30 PM you will arrive.
Watch for a Little Corn Beach and Bungalow hotel representative holding a white sign board with a member of your parties name on the board. Introduce yourself to the representative, help them by identifying your bags, be sure your bags are loaded on the “truck” and you will be ready to trek to Little Corn Island Beach and Bungalow when all bags are loaded and guests accounted for.
If you don’t know which panga you are arriving upon and you sneak up on us, or you are just going to drop by to see if we have a cabin or bungalow available, anyone on the dock can direct you our way. Ask for help to either Little Corn Beach and Bungalow or “Beach-Bungalow” on the beach side. You can also hire someone on the dock to help you with your bags for a small (120 Cordobas or about $5 USD is fair) tip.
See you here when you “reach”.
