Reviewed Oct 29, 2026
Estelí, the cigar city, is 2 h 30 from Managua by express bus. Miraflor, its cloud-forest reserve with farm homestays, is reached on a rural bus from the COTRAN Norte terminal.
Express buses from Mercado Mayoreo every 45 minutes (C$120–140). They arrive at COTRAN Sur; COTRAN Norte is across town (taxi C$30–40).
From COTRAN Norte, the bus towards Yalí crosses the reserve: departures at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:40 PM, C$20–25, dirt road. Ask the driver to drop you at your homestay's community.
The UCA Miraflor cooperative in Estelí arranges family homestays, guides and hikes. Book before going up, since mobile signal in the reserve is patchy.
Approximate cost
Managua–Estelí C$120–140 + Miraflor bus C$20–25.
Send it to whoever is travelling with you.