Crossing Into Nicaragua
The ferry service usually leaves the docks at 8am (Mon-Fri), but it's always worth checking first with officials in either Los Chiles or at the Nicaraguan consulate in San Jose. The Los Chiles migracion officials are relatively friendly, and you may be able to confirm current boat times with the groups of Nicas or Ticos who hang around the office. Some nationalities need tourist visas to enter Nicaragua. Requirements are constantly in flux, so always check with the consulate in San Jose, which is the only place in the country that can issue the necessary documentation (allow at least 24hr for processing). Make sure that the Nicaraguan border patrol , 3km upriver from Los Chiles, stamps your passport, as you will need proof of entry when leaving Nicaragua. From the border control point it's 14km up the Rio Frio to the small town of San Carlos de Nicaragua , on the southeast lip of the huge Lago de Nicaragua. You'll need some cash upon arrival; change a few colones for cordobas at the Los Chiles bank. From San Carlos de Nicaragua it's also possible to cross the lake to Granada and on to Managua , but again check with the consulate in San Jose; this is an infrequent boat service and without forward planning you could end up stuck in San Carlos for longer than you'd expected.
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