Shuttle service Nicaragua ⇄ El Salvador
A boat ride between La Unión and Potosí plus a ground transfer to a nearby central point. Departures on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Tuesdays: confirm on WhatsApp.
Crossing the border?
Book your seat online by choosing your time at the Migration Office; we'll confirm the exact pickup point and time on WhatsApp.
How it works
Crossing via the Gulf is faster than going around through Honduras: one boat, two Migration Offices and a shuttle service connecting two nations.
1 · Pickup
At a central point near your hotel (San Salvador, La Libertad, El Tunco, El Zonte, El Cuco, Las Flores or León).
2 · Migration
To Nicaragua: La Unión Migration Office at 7:00 am. To El Salvador: Potosí Migration Office at 10:15 am. That's the time you choose when booking.
3 · Boat
Boat departure La Unión → Potosí at 8:00 am; Potosí → La Unión at 11:00 am. Expect splashes: wear clothes that can get wet and water shoes.
4 · Your destination
Ground transfer from the port to a nearby central point at your destination in León or in El Salvador.
Routes and prices
Price per person. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Luggage included: 1 backpack/suitcase + 1 carry-on bag.
La Unión → León
$70 per person · ≈ 8 h
La Unión Migration Office, 7:00 am
Nearby central point at your destination in León
Boat La Unión → Potosí · ground transfer Potosí → León
Nicaraguan visa (Cat. C) · NI pre-check · $13 fee
BookLeón → La Unión
$70 per person · ≈ 6 h
Pickup at 7:00 am at a nearby central point in León
La Unión Migration Office
Ground transfer León → Potosí · boat Potosí → La Unión
SV entry requirements · $3 fee
BookSan Salvador → León
$90 per person · ≈ 12 h
Pickup at 2:00 am at a nearby central point
Nearby central point at your destination in León
Ground transfer San Salvador → La Unión · boat → Potosí · ground transfer → León
Nicaraguan visa (Cat. C) · NI pre-check · $13 fee
BookLeón → San Salvador
$90 per person · ≈ 12 h
Pickup at 7:00 am at a nearby central point in León
Nearby central point at your destination in San Salvador
Ground transfer León → Potosí · boat → La Unión · ground transfer → San Salvador
SV entry requirements · $3 fee
BookLa Libertad / El Tunco / El Zonte → León
$90 per person · ≈ 12 h
Pickup at 3:00 am at a nearby central point
Nearby central point at your destination in León
Ground transfer to La Unión · boat → Potosí · ground transfer → León
Nicaraguan visa (Cat. C) · NI pre-check · $13 fee
BookLeón → El Tunco / La Libertad / El Zonte
$90 per person · ≈ 8-9 h
Pickup at 7:00 am at a nearby central point in León
Nearby central point at your destination
Ground transfer León → Potosí · boat → La Unión · ground transfer to a nearby central point at your destination
SV entry requirements · $3 fee
BookEl Cuco / Las Flores → León
$95 per person · ≈ 9 h
Pickup at 6:00 am at a nearby central point
Nearby central point at your destination in León
Ground transfer to La Unión · boat → Potosí · ground transfer → León
Nicaraguan visa (Cat. C) · NI pre-check · $13 fee
BookTraveling on a Tuesday or from another location? Ask us on WhatsApp.
Your destination: León
Our ground transportation drops you off at a central point in León. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
Requirements and luggage
To Nicaragua
- Valid passport and 3 physical copies of your passport.
- CA-4 visa if your nationality requires it.
- Nicaraguan visa for Category C nationalities.
- Nicaragua's online immigration pre-check at least 24 h in advance (ideally 7 days).
- $13 border fee in cash.
To El Salvador
- Valid passport and 3 physical copies of your passport.
- Compliance with the CA-4 agreement.
- Check the immigration requirements for entering El Salvador based on your nationality.
- $3 border fee in cash.
Luggage and extras
- Included: 1 backpack or suitcase + 1 carry-on bag.
- Surfboard: $15 · bicycle: $10 · extra suitcase: $10.
- Water shoes required to board the boat; snacks, water, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Waterproof bag for your phone and documents.
Free cancellation up to 96 hours in advance. Schedules may vary due to weather, the border or traffic.
This was the perfect way to cross from El Salvador to Nicaragua. Mario answered all my questions very quickly and gave me clear instructions: prices, pickup options, meeting point and immigration procedures. They handled our immigration in both countries without any problems.
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