Crossing The Border Into Nicaragua: Penas Blancas
Penas Blancas (8am-noon & 1-4pm), the main crossing point into Nicaragua, is emphatically a border post and not a town, with just one or two basic sodas and no hotels. Aim to get here as early as possible, as procedures are ponderous and you'll be lucky to get through the whole deal in less than ninety minutes. In addition, buses on both side of the border are far more frequent in the morning, and fizzle out completely by 2 or 3pm. Things are smoothest if you come with Ticabus - all passengers are processed together and are given priority. Both Costa Rican and Nicaraguan border officials are quite strict, and there are many checks to see that your paperwork is in order. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders need visas , which can be organized in San Jose (around US$25; or US$15 for a 72-hr transit visa). Exit stamps and fee (75 colones) are paid on the Costa Rican side, where there's a restaurant and a helpful, organized Costa Rican tourist office . Moneychangers are always on hand and have colones, cordobas and dollars. After getting your Costa Rican exit stamp, it's a short walk north to the barrier. From here you can pick up a shuttle bus (US$2) 4km north to the Nicaraguan shantytown of Sapoa , where you go through migracion .
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