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Notify your bank your traveling to Nicaragua so you can use the ATM to withdraw cordobas. You can use US dollars readily here. You can use to purchase a fictious ticket to show onward travel within 90 days of your arrival date. The airline in the US will probably ask to see this before boarding. This what I use and many others as well. You can hire a taxi at the airport to take you to Granada. You can stay at the Casa San Francisco hotel in Granada.

I have stayed there many times and is centrally located. You can see the link here on tripadvisor. Tripadvisor is a good source for hotels, restaurants and things to do.

Regarding car rental is very expensive here. Plus if you find a bilingual taxi driver he can provide tips on where to to go. I would recommend a taxi to travel around. I know someone here who I;ve used 50 times. I can provide his contact if you need it.

Thank You for your reply.  And the Onward Ticket website.  Did Immigration actually ask for your leaving the country ticket?  Yes, I stumbled upon Trip Advisor and I see the San Francisco hotel listed there.  Good. 

Any cell phone advice?  Avoiding extra Verizon charges?  Getting a Nicaraguan phone chip? 

Thank You for your time. 

One more question, please. 

    My on-line searching is giving me the feeling it is not possible to book a direct flight from Manugua to San Jose, Costa Rica?  Any knowledge of that?  Any thoughts on taking a bus and crossing the border by bus, or private transportation? 

Thanks again. 

Answered my own question as I found the Costa Rican domestic airline Sansa flies direct.  Smaller propeller planes.  Better than going by way of El Salvador or, worse yet, Ft. Lauderdale. 

(My dentist is in San Jose.  For those without dental insurance:  worked well for me!)   

Yes Sansa has a flight from Managua to San Jose. You could also take a Ticabus from Managua to San Jose as well. I have a Tmobile international plan that allows calls. You can buy a SIM card very cheaply in Nicaragua under the TIGO or Claro phone plan. Are you just trasitioning from El Salvador to San Jose or will you be spending any time in Nicaragua?

Thanks for info. 

I plan to be in Nicaragua a month.  Checking it out as a place to eventually live.  Have previously spent a good amount of time looking into Costa Rica. 

Besides your previous suggestion for Granada, any B&B/motel suggestions in and around Leon or Matagalpa? 

Bozby,

Your first order of business is to download the app on your phone. (WhatsAPP) It's a free way of calling and emailing people here in Nicaragua. Here is my number you can contact me if you need anything. (***) it's a US number. Regarding lodging in Matagalpa you want to stay at Selva Negra. It's one of the coolest (literally) nicest forest areas in the country. They have little cabins near a restaurant with lake views. The hiking and bird watching there is excellent. With respect to Leon I have'nt been there yet but I would look it up on Tripadvisor for good recent recommendations to stay.