From Nicaragua to El Salvador

English: San Salvador (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On a recent trip from Managua to El Salvador, we decided to use Platinum bus service. All of their documentation was pretty convincing...they even went so far as to say that the land experience makes you feel like you are flying: "Flying without leaving the ground! With Platinum is possible! They promised WiFi, electrical connection, food and beverage service, bathrooms (of course) and comfortable, sleep inducing reclinable seats. Did they deliver? Come along for the ride....




We were told to be at the bus station in Managua (across the street, west side of the Plaza Inter shopping mall) at 3 a.m. for our 4 a.m. departure. The waiting area is well lit and secure. Clean bathrooms are available. The snack bar was not open that early. Platinum personnel are friendly and helpful, both when I bought the ticket as well as checking in for our trip. Each passenger is allowed two bags with a total of 100 lbs. You can pay for overweight bags - $1 a pound.

The bus we went on was just as picture. It did indeed have two bathrooms (men and women's). I saw no electrical connections. The seats are reclinable but not really enough to be able to sleep without really being in the lap of the passenger behind you. WiFi signal was available but there was no Internet connectivity but for a few minutes close to the El Salvador border. We were served a small sandwich, grapes and a choice of a box juice.

We disembarked as we left Nicaraguan territory and again as we crossed in to Honduras. Fortunately we didn't have to do any luggage inspection at those borders. As we left Honduras and entered El Salvador, we did have to take all of our luggage to an inspection area. At random, some where chose to put their luggage through an x-ray machine. Nobody had problems. Basically the paperwork and passport issues are taken care of by the Platinum personnel.

We finally arrived to the San Salvador terminal (not the San Benito one - there had been some confusion as to which one would be the final destination...apparently the San Benito terminal is in a better part of town). We got our luggage and waited in a safe lounge area. They did have free WiFi in this area, thus facilitating communication with our friends who were to pick us up. Also, clean bathrooms are available there.

Was it as luxurious as the Platinum name might suggest? No. Was it an acceptable (and typical) bus ride through Central America? Yes. Would I use Platinum again? Yes I would. It is on par with TicaBus and King Quality. A one way ticket from Managua to San Salvador costs $51. Of note is that many countries require a passenger to show proof of onward travel. In this case, we had to purchase another one way ticket out of El Salvador (if you are leaving the region by airplane, your airline ticket will suffice). That is a migratory requirement, not necessarily a Platinum policy. However, they are required to see the proof of onward travel at the time they sell you a ticket.

A friend recently travelled from Chinandega to San Salvador, transbording and using the local bus systems. He paid around $17 one way.

King Quality Managua

Final Calle 27 de Mayo, Ave. Bolívar,
Frente al costado oeste de Plaza Inter,
Managua, Nicaragua.
Tels.: (505) 2222-3065 • 2228-1454 • 2222-2075

Centro de San Salvador

19 Avenida Norte y 3era. Calle Poniente,
San Salvador (30 mts. aprox. al Sur de la USAM)
Tels.: (503) 2281-1996 • (503) 2241-8704 • (503) 2241-8787

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