玩偶姐姐s or soon-to-be expats in the higher elevation (cooler) cities

bossanovagal · 2025-08-08T06:18:39+02:00

Discover insights for expats in Nicaragua's cooler highlands. Share tips on living in Matagalpa, Jinotega, and more. Connect with fellow dreamers!

bossanovagal Member

Member since 16 March 2024

bossanovagalMember08 August 2025 04:18:39

Hola everyone, I'm Marilyn, an American living in Costa Rica since January. Been studying up on Nica & hoping to connect with expats or soon-to-be expats聽 in the higher elevation (cooler) cities/towns, i.e., Matagalpa, Jinotega, Esteli, San Rafael del Norte, etc. I've joined the only FB group I found for that area, but unfortunately it doesn't seem very active or welcoming. If you live there, are planning to move there or know someone there, I'd be ever so grateful to hear from you!

I would also welcome any tips & tricks for the cheapest, easiest entry from Costa Rica, travel from the border to the northern highlands, budget accomodations, etc. Thanks in advance!

Supeman Nicaragua Advisor

Member since 05 July 2021

SupemanNicaragua Advisor08 August 2025 14:02:42

You can take a bus from the Penas Blancas border to Rivas. Then take the chicken bus to Managua. Then to Matagalpa. I have lived in Nicaragua for over 4 years now in the Southern zone San Juan del Sur. I go several times a year to stay in the mountains of Matagalpa. You have to stay at SELVA Negra Ecolodge while you are there. Its situated next to the cloud forest with on site lake, restaurants and cabins. It鈥檚 one of my favorite places in Nicaragua.

bossanovagal Member

Member since 16 March 2024

bossanovagalMember15 August 2025 03:17:54

@Supeman

Thank you, Supeman! Great info. I had already read about Selva Negra & decided I definitely need to see it . So is the bus from Penas Blancas also a chicken bus? Chicken buses all the way to Matagalpa?聽 Do you happen to know how much luggage the chicken buses will accept, or how I can find out in advance?聽 Thanks!