A private charter from Managua (MGA) to Costa Esmeralda (ECI) covers 81 kilometres in roughly 25 minutes. It is the air access to Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast, with a road transfer on to San Juan del Sur. Quoted per aircraft on request.
Route facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Origin | Augusto C. Sandino (MGA / MNMG) |
| Destination | Costa Esmeralda (ECI / MNCE) |
| Department | Rivas |
| Great-circle distance | 43.6 NM · 50 miles · 81 km |
| Estimated flight time | 25 min |
| Road alternative | Several hours |
| Aircraft | Aircraft assigned on confirmation · 4–12 seats |
| Destination elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| ECI to San Juan del Sur | Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it. |
| Price | Quoted per aircraft on request |
An airport that serves a coastline, not a town
The geography deserves a clarification, because the route name can mislead.
Costa Esmeralda Airport (ECI) officially serves Tola, in Rivas Department, and sits ten kilometres west of that town, three kilometres inland from the Pacific. It is the reference airport for the whole southwestern coastal strip of Nicaragua, including the Guacalito area and the coastal resort developments.
San Juan del Sur lies further south, reached from ECI by road. There is no public airport in San Juan del Sur itself.
We say it here rather than in the small print: Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it.
Ground transfer to your hotel coordinated with the flight
Costa Esmeralda Airport (ECI)
This is a young, well-equipped airport, which sets it apart from most regional strips in the network. It opened on 15 November 2015 and is owned by the Instituto Nicaragüense de Aeronáutica Civil together with Grupo Pellas.
It has a control tower, rescue services and customs, alongside shops and car rental. The customs presence has a practical consequence: it allows direct international flights without a prior stop in Managua.
The operationally relevant detail is the terrain. There are large hills immediately north and east of the field, and the runway is aligned with the valley between them. That geometry defines the approach and departure paths and makes this a field where crew familiarity counts.
As a navigation reference, the Managua VOR-DME and NDB lie 43.2 nautical miles north of the airport.
On confirmed weather-related closures: Several fields in the network operate in daylight and visual conditions, and close when the weather does not allow it.
Forty-four nautical miles against the road
Overland, the trip from Managua runs down the Pan-American Highway toward Rivas and then out to the coast. It takes several hours in normal conditions, on a road carrying mixed traffic.
The flight settles it in under half an hour. For surf trips or resort stays on the Rivas coast — the dominant reason for travelling to this area — the difference shows up mainly in the arrival: landing mid-morning leaves the first session in the water intact.
Aircraft and baggage
Aircraft assigned on confirmation, 4–12 seats, baggage confirmed at booking by weight and volume.
Surfboards are the usual oversized load on this route. Declare them at booking: length and quantity determine the aircraft assigned.
Frequently asked questions
Does San Juan del Sur have an airport?
It has no public airport. The reference field for the area is Costa Esmeralda (ECI), which officially serves Tola, with a road transfer on to San Juan del Sur.
How long is the flight from Managua to Costa Esmeralda?
Roughly 25 minutes across 43.6 nautical miles, plus the ground transfer to your accommodation.
How much does a private charter from Managua to San Juan del Sur cost?
Quoted per aircraft on request. The price covers the Managua–Costa Esmeralda flight.
Can you reach Costa Esmeralda on a direct international flight?
The airport has customs, which allows international flights to operate without a prior stop in Managua.
How long is the drive from Managua?
Several hours on the Pan-American Highway toward Rivas and then out to the coast.
Can I bring surfboards?
Yes, if declared at booking. Length and quantity determine the aircraft assigned. Baggage confirmed at booking by weight and volume