To get to Big Corn Island you must fly into Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. There are several airlines that fly into Nicaragua: American, Continental, Delta, Spirit, LASCA, Iberia, Aviateca, and GrupoTaca. Cheapest fares are generally found by going directly to the airlines' website. Other times cheap fares can be found through web-based companies like Orbitz and Travelocity. Also fares can be sometimes be cheaper flying into San Jose, Costa Rica and then up to Managua.
After clearing customs and immigration, exit the terminal and walk to the left. Just a short walk to the end of the airport terminal, you will find a separate terminal building for the regional airlines which provide service to Bluefields, Big Corn Island and Puerto Cabezas. Both Atlantic Airlines and La Costena fly these routes leaving daily from Managua at 6:30am and 2:00pm. Book international flights that arrive at least an hour before these times. For your return: flights to Managua from Corn Island leave around 8:15am and 3:45 pm and arrive in Managua at about 10:00am and 5:00pm. Round trip tickets to Big Corn Island are approximately $160 USD. Although reservations are not required they are recommended. Flight time to Big Corn Island is approximately 1:15 with one stop in Bluefields possible.
Once you land on Big Corn Island you can claim your luggage (you must retain your receipt) and reconfirm your return flight. From the airport you can get a taxi to take you anywhere on the island for 15 Cordobas ($1USD).
La Costena can be reached at (505) 263-1228 or (505) 263-2142. Their fax number is (505) 263-1281. E-mail is jcaballero@lacostena.com.ni. If faxing, address your correspondence to Alejandro Caballero. He is the airline's owner, and he is speaks fluent English. Ask for a return fax for confirmation.
Note: American Airlines has the best timing on flights from the US connecting through Miami to Managua. Arriving in Managua at noon will give you ample time to catch the 2:00pm flight on La Costena to CornIsland. A typical profile when flying in on American is: arrive from Miami at 12:00, depart for CornIsland via La Costena at 2:00pm. Arrive on CornIsland around 3:30pm.
If for some reason you cannot make your connection from Managua the same day there is an excellent hotel, Las Mercedes (a "Best Western Hotel"), directly across the street from the airport. It is within easy walking distance and they also provide transportation. The hotel has an excellent restaurant and 2 swimming pools. They speak English and take VISA or US dollars. They can be reached at (505) 263-1011 for general information or (505) 263-1010 for reservations. You may fax them at (505) 263-1013. Their e-mail is reservacion@lasmercedes.com.ni and you should address the e-mail to Jessenia Aleman.
If you are calling from the U.S., you should add 011 before dialing the phone number.
To enter Nicaragua every visitor must have a passport that is valid for at least the next 6 months. Citizens of the U.S. and the UK do not need a visa. Citizens of other countries should check with the Nicaraguan consulate in your area. There are no major health problems in this part of Nicaragua. There have been malaria carrying mosquitoes, reported occasionally. However, the strain of malaria encountered here is not the more serious strain found in the Amazon and in Africa and can easily be treated with medicine. See your doctor or local health authority if you have concerns about malaria. An update of your tetanus shot is not a bad idea either.
