Many travelers enter Nicaragua from Costa Rica, using the Peñas Blancas border on the inter-American highway or exiting via Los Chiles and entering into Nicaragua via San Carlos in the Rio San Juan department. Towards the north, there are three official borders between Honduras and Nicaragua, El Espino, Guasaule and Las Manos.

Highways in Nicaragua have improved over time, and it is a lot easier to travel within the country. There is also air service between Managua and the more important cities on the Caribbean Coast, such as Bluefields, San Carlos, Puerto Cabezas and the Corn Islands. La Costeña Airlines offers regular service to all of the above destinations.

The only international airport in Nicaragua is the Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Managua. This is a modern terminal served by several international airlines, such as American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta and Taca Airlines.