Nonstop Flights to Nicaragua: Which Cities Fly Direct to Managua (2026 Update)
Updated October 2026. We first published this list in 2016, and a lot has changed since then, so we checked every route again.
A nonstop flight is still the easiest way into Nicaragua: one boarding pass, no layover, and more of your first day spent near the water. Almost every international flight lands at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, airport code MGA. From there, San Juan del Sur is roughly a two hour drive south. For beaches, day trips and where to stay, see our San Juan del Sur travel guide. If that is where you are headed, you can stay at Surf Ranch San Juan del Sur.
The nonstop map is smaller than it was in 2016. Here are the cities with direct flights to Managua right now, based on airport authority and airline schedule information from 2026.
1. Miami, Florida (MIA)
Miami is the busiest link between the United States and Managua, with several flights a day across the two airlines.
2. Houston, Texas (IAH)
A daily nonstop from Houston Bush Intercontinental, and the longest nonstop into Managua.
3. Panama City, Panama (PTY)
Copa's hub at Tocumen connects Managua to much of South America, the Caribbean and many U.S. cities.
4. San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
Avianca's Central American hub, with onward connections across the region and beyond.
5. San José, Costa Rica (SJO)
A short hop between the two capitals, handy if you are pairing Costa Rica and Nicaragua in one trip.
6. Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
Flown a few times a week rather than daily, so check your dates early.
7. Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
Several flights a week, and a useful link for travelers connecting from Mexico or from Europe through Mexico City.
8. Montreal, Canada (YUL), seasonal
Airlines: WestJet
A winter season route sold through Sunwing Vacations. It has been reported as weekly from mid December 2026 into April 2027. Check WestJet or Sunwing for current dates before you plan around it.
9. Havana, Cuba (HAV)
Listed by Nicaragua's airport authority in early 2026. Schedules on this route change often, so confirm with the airline before booking.
Routes from our 2016 list that no longer fly nonstop: Fort Lauderdale on Spirit ended in April 2026, and we could not find current nonstop service from Los Angeles, Atlanta or Dallas. Travelers from those cities usually connect through Miami, Houston or Panama City.
Thinking about Liberia instead? Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) has many more nonstop flights from the United States and Canada, and some San Juan del Sur guests fly in there and cross the land border. Our guide on Managua vs Liberia walks through how to choose.
Search flights to Managua from your home airport for your dates:
Whichever airport you pick, plan the ride before the flight. The Surf Ranch shuttle service handles pickups from Managua and Liberia, so you can line up the drive to San Juan del Sur for your arrival time. If you are staying with us, booking your room direct with Surf Ranch San Juan del Sur includes breakfast and earns you 2% back in rewards.
Set up a travel eSIM for Nicaragua before you leave too, so your phone works the moment you land and you can message your driver from the arrivals hall.
One more small thing for arrival day: look at travel insurance that covers flight delays before you fly, which helps most on the routes that only fly a few times a week.
Which direct flights do you usually take to get to Nicaragua? Let us know in the comments below.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means Surf Ranch may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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