Penas Blancas - Costa Rica

In Penas Blancas one can cross the border from Costa Rica into Nicaragua.

The border here is secured with barb wire. Penas Blancas is located 18.6 kilometers north of La Cruz, and is the northernmost town in Costa Rica.

The border building includes a restaurant and a bank where one can change money and or travelers cheques. Official money changers offer their service outside the building. They have their identification badge hanging around their neck. Those money changers can be found on both sides of the border.

On the Nicaraguan side of the border there are several duty free shops. The most popular product is the Nicaraguan rum, Flor de CaƱa.

Crossing the border to Nicaragua...

Crossing the border can take anywhere from 1-7 hours, less than 2 hours is what is normal. The longest waits happen at times when the hundreds of Nicaraguans that are living in Costa Rica are traveling home for Christmas or Easter Week.

Ticabus, Transnica, Central Line, King Quality and Nica Expresso are bus companies that travel direct between San Jose and Managua. Rental cars may not leave Costa Rica.

The official currency of Nicaragua is the Cordoba. It is not possible to pay with Colones in Nicaragua.

The border office of Nicaragua is 1 kilometer away from the Costa Rican border control.

Penas Blancas on the map

Penas Blancas on the map

Facts about Penas Blancas, Costa Rica

  • Penas Blancas is located in the province of Guanacaste.
  • Penas Blancas is the northernmost town in Costa Rica.

Driving times and distances

  • Distance from San Jose to Penas Blancas: 289 kilometers respectively 179.4 miles.
  • Travel time from San Jose to Penas Blancas: 5.20 hours.
  • Distance from Liberia to Penas Blancas: 78.1 kilometers respectively 48.5 miles.
  • Travel time from Liberia to Penas Blancas: 1.18 hours.