First... Book a flight to Managua. There are several airlines flying into Nicaragua: American, Continental, and (Grupo) Taca. As well as Aviateca and LACSA. Delta now flies to Managua and has great rates out of Atlanta.

From Managua, we recommend La Costena to Corn Island. Their ticket counter is just outside the main terminal. The flight takes only about one and half hours total, and there is usually a brief stop in Bluefields on the way... They leave Managua twice daily, at 6:30 am and 2:00 pm, so book international flights that arrive at least an hour before these times. For your return: Flights to Managua from Corn Island arrive at about 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. With a well-planned itinerary, you'll make the trip to and from Little Corn Island and major cities in the US in a single day. The cost of a round trip ticket to Corn Island from Managua is about $165. VISA and US dollars are accepted.

La Costena can be reached at (505) 263-1228 or (505) 263-2142. Their fax number is (505) 263-1281. Email is jcaballero@lacostena.com.ni. If faxing, address your correspondence to Julio Caballero. He is the airline's owner, and he speaks English well. Ask for a return fax for confirmation. Reservations aren't "required", but are highly recommended. The price is the same regardless. An alternative to La Costena is Atlantic Airlines, which has similar flight times and prices to the Corn Islands.

After arriving in Corn Island there's a $2.00, 7-minute taxi ride to the warf.

Once at the warf, there is a water taxi that leaves the municipal wharf to Little Corn Island every morning at 10:00 and every afternoon at 4:30 for the little island. Cost is $6.00 per person. The trip takes about forty minutes. Assume that you and your gear will get wet during the ride, which can be pretty bumpy on rough days. (Helpful Hint: Sit towards the back of the boat). The water taxi drops you off in front of the dive shop. You can leave your dive gear at the dive shop when you arrive if you like.

Note: American Airlines has the best timing on flights from the US connecting through Miami to Managua. Arriving in Managua at noon (or 1:00 pm depending on daylight savings time in the US), in plenty of time to catch the 2:00 pm flight on La Costena to Corn Island. A typical profile when flying in on American is: Arrive from Miami 12:00 pm Depart to Corn Island via La Costena at 2:00 pm Arrive Corn Island 3:30 pm Depart to Little Corn Island via Water Taxi 4:30 pm (If the flight is late, they usually wait for it to arrive). Arrive on Little Corn Island about 5:00pm. On return, American has a 1:00 pm flight to Miami that you can easily catch when you take the early boat from Little Corn that morning.