Tica Bus
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- Ove F1 contributionFraudulent actions by salesorganizationBe carefull, many risks to loose your money. A friendly man at the agency in Masaya offers to help us with the health certificate for Costa Rica, and sudduently without advise he charge us 224 US$ for travel inssurence, which can be achieved in much better conditions. Later we need to pospone the trip and we advise through the online service, where we get the answer that we are registrered for getting a new reservation. When we apply for the new date, we get the answer that our cancelation in not registered in the system. As their online-device gives no kind of receipt or confirmation we cannot document that we cancelled in time.Visited June 2021Written June 11, 2021
- MarkyMAmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands164 contributionsTerrible companyWe took Tica bus from Rivas, Nicaragua to San José, Costa Rica. They ask you to be a the bus stop 45 minutes before departure, which is ridiculous as they will never be that much earlier than the scheduled departure time (8.50am for the bus leaving Managua at 6.30hrs). If you do not enter the bus in Managua, but in one of the places after Managua, you can only see the departure time after you made the booking. We booked well in advance, but got different seats than we booked, because they changed the bus layout and our seatnumberd were on a different place than they were supposed to be. We were in almost non-reclining seats agains the toilet, surrounded by toilet odours all the time. Crossing the border took us 2,5 hours, while I would have been able to cross in 45 minutes if I was travelling independently. Obviously, it takes some to time to get 50 people across a border, but we were also waiting a lot for unclear reasons. I think it would have been cheaper en faster if I would have taken the bus from Rivas to the border, cross the border and take another bus to San José.Visited May 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten May 21, 2022
- Daniel3 contributionsuntrustworthy businessMy partner and I recently travelled from El Salvador to Nicaragua via Tica Bus. We were asked by the bus staff to hand over our passports and 15 USD for "immigration tax" when crossing the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. After passing the Nicaraguan border, we got our passports back and a tourist card receipt for 10 USD. Since we gave the bus staff 15 USD each, we asked for our 5 USD change. The staff said it was "for them". A Nicaraguan local on the bus said this wasn't right and tried to ask both the immigration staff and the bus staff for our combined 10 USD change. Both immigration and the bus staff refused to return our change and failed to explain why. Also, neither my partner or I got a passport stamp for entering Nicargua? We didn't notice because the passports were taken from us and given to immigration - then given back to the bus staff. I just wanted to highlight these issues as they don't seem to make sense or be fair for foreign travellers. Be careful.Visited June 2022Written June 28, 2022
- ReservarldenLondon, United Kingdom240 contributionsGets you from A to BHaving now had two Tica bus journeys I am impressed with their service (San Jose to Managua and Managua to Tegucigalpa) with another paid for in a few days. the staff at teh booking desks generally speak good English and are helpful. The drivers do not speak English but try to help as best as they can. I experienced a scam website and paid for the first two tickets there but upon arriving at San Jose I was told that the tickets are invalid and not recognised. I had to pay again. I immediately emailed the website company and told them what Tica bus had said and I was surprised to see that they refunded me instantly. Tica have no control over how long the bus will be held up at the border point but they do have staff to help guide you through the slightly chaotic process and help ease the way for their passengers. The buses themselves are comfortable, air conditioned and have average leg room. I have experienced far worse, but also a fair bit better too in other parts of the world.Visited April 2023Traveled soloWritten April 13, 2023
- Toine0071 contributionTica Bus: ‘don’t even try it’My girlfriend and me had the most horrible experience with Tica Bus. Their service was very bad and they were not able to help! Normally, our bus would arrive at 12.10 o’clock ik Leon, Nicaragua, but we waited for 3 hours at a bus station and tried to call the company. After calling 1 hour with both our phones, we managed to reach an employee of the company. This man couldn’t tell us where the bus was and he said we had to wait for 1 OR 2 OR 3 hours longer. We didn’t know what to do and we were sick of waiting. People at the station came to us and tried to help us since the station was located at an unsafe neighbourhood where people got robbed in the past. After waiting 4 hours, we decided to get back to our hostel in Leon because we were not even sure if the bus would ever show up.. Hopefully we will get a refund, but we’re not sure since contacting the company is almost impossible! We are already travelling for two months, and in this time, we never had such a bad experience! So, a tip for all travellers: try to find another way to travel and do not choose Tica! We are not difficult people, we know it’s normal that a bus shows up a bit later because of traffic. However, waiting for a bus until 6 o’clock for a bus that had to show up at 12 was a but to much!Visited November 2021Traveled as a coupleWritten November 14, 2021
- Jacko3 contributionsExcellent bus companyWhy are so many people complaining about Tica bus. My bus departed Managua at 05.20 and arrived at 14.25. Ok perhaps not all seats recline but my seat was more than average. This bus moves on from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula if you want. I will take Tica bus from Tegucigalpa to San Salvador. However behoren the border you pay 8 dollars or this amount in lempiras or cordobas. When you get your stamp at the Honduras part you'll pay 3 dollars or lempiras or cordobas.Visited May 2022Traveled soloWritten May 24, 2022
- Mujtaba S2 contributionsBus never even showed up!I have traveled through all of Latin America over the past two years and this is by far the WORST bus line. Booked a bus from Liberia to Granada, Nicaragua, for a 3 am pickup time (in a dark alley bus stop) and the bus never showed up. What a sad state of affairs! It's bad enough that the bus stop is in an obscure location but to have a pickup time of 3 am the the bus not even show up is downright pathetic. Don't recommend this bus line at all. Tried calling their customer service, e-mailed them, and even left them a note on Instagram. No answer to the call and no replies to email.Visited February 2023Traveled with friendsWritten February 18, 2023
- TiffanyManagua, Nicaragua71 contributionsNot Operating at this timeDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ticabus is not operating at this time. Until further notice, Ticabus is no longer operating due to COVID-19 and numerous restrictions for travel varying by each country. Was originally supposed to take a Ticabus and book, but they had already suspended their services. There is not current timeline or future outlook for when Ticabus will operate again. I fully understand with the current situation, that Ticabus can no longer be operational due to the varying circumstances and country travel restrictions.Visited July 2020Traveled with familyWritten September 22, 2020
- ruth sVictoria, Canada7 contributionsPlease update your site.This company has a website that takes you in circles with incomplete information. With that, the phone contact person will not do any booking for you. The contact chat person never replies. I wasted literally hours trying to find information about bus routes that should be extremely obvious. Trying to book from Penas Blancas (border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica) to San Jose, Costa Rica - The confirmation only says from Managua 11 hrs, leaving me completely unsure what time, or if it is certain the bus will even come through. (The dates that I entered do not exist. I have not been able to book, because I still have no idea where the bus would actually drop me off in San Jose. Useless website.Visited September 2021Written October 7, 2021
- Michael DSan Juan del Sur, Nicaragua3 contributionsHopeless, couldn't care less for their customersThis service would be improved if the driver respected that he has a contract with the passenger to take them to their destination, not take the word of a random stranger that said we decided to take a taxi to san juan instead of continuing to Rivas and hence leaving a family of 4 with 2 young children stranded at the border. We took a taxi and caught up with the bus, where the bus driver informed us it wasn't his fault as someone told him we decided to take the taxi instead. I wanted to knock him out and say it wasn't my fault, a random stranger told me to do it. E14 Tica Bus from San Jose 06.00 on 31/12/2021 to ManaguaVisited December 2021Written January 3, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Reservarlden
London, UK240 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Having now had two Tica bus journeys I am impressed with their service (San Jose to Managua and Managua to Tegucigalpa) with another paid for in a few days. the staff at teh booking desks generally speak good English and are helpful. The drivers do not speak English but try to help as best as they can. I experienced a scam website and paid for the first two tickets there but upon arriving at San Jose I was told that the tickets are invalid and not recognised. I had to pay again. I immediately emailed the website company and told them what Tica bus had said and I was surprised to see that they refunded me instantly. Tica have no control over how long the bus will be held up at the border point but they do have staff to help guide you through the slightly chaotic process and help ease the way for their passengers. The buses themselves are comfortable, air conditioned and have average leg room. I have experienced far worse, but also a fair bit better too in other parts of the world.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toine007
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Couples
My girlfriend and me had the most horrible experience with Tica Bus. Their service was very bad and they were not able to help! Normally, our bus would arrive at 12.10 o’clock ik Leon, Nicaragua, but we waited for 3 hours at a bus station and tried to call the company. After calling 1 hour with both our phones, we managed to reach an employee of the company. This man couldn’t tell us where the bus was and he said we had to wait for 1 OR 2 OR 3 hours longer. We didn’t know what to do and we were sick of waiting. People at the station came to us and tried to help us since the station was located at an unsafe neighbourhood where people got robbed in the past. After waiting 4 hours, we decided to get back to our hostel in Leon because we were not even sure if the bus would ever show up..
Hopefully we will get a refund, but we’re not sure since contacting the company is almost impossible!
We are already travelling for two months, and in this time, we never had such a bad experience! So, a tip for all travellers: try to find another way to travel and do not choose Tica! We are not difficult people, we know it’s normal that a bus shows up a bit later because of traffic. However, waiting for a bus until 6 o’clock for a bus that had to show up at 12 was a but to much!
Hopefully we will get a refund, but we’re not sure since contacting the company is almost impossible!
We are already travelling for two months, and in this time, we never had such a bad experience! So, a tip for all travellers: try to find another way to travel and do not choose Tica! We are not difficult people, we know it’s normal that a bus shows up a bit later because of traffic. However, waiting for a bus until 6 o’clock for a bus that had to show up at 12 was a but to much!
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacko
3 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Why are so many people complaining about Tica bus. My bus departed Managua at 05.20 and arrived at 14.25. Ok perhaps not all seats recline but my seat was more than average. This bus moves on from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula if you want. I will take Tica bus from Tegucigalpa to San Salvador. However behoren the border you pay 8 dollars or this amount in lempiras or cordobas. When you get your stamp at the Honduras part you'll pay 3 dollars or lempiras or cordobas.
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mujtaba S
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I have traveled through all of Latin America over the past two years and this is by far the WORST bus line. Booked a bus from Liberia to Granada, Nicaragua, for a 3 am pickup time (in a dark alley bus stop) and the bus never showed up. What a sad state of affairs! It's bad enough that the bus stop is in an obscure location but to have a pickup time of 3 am the the bus not even show up is downright pathetic. Don't recommend this bus line at all. Tried calling their customer service, e-mailed them, and even left them a note on Instagram. No answer to the call and no replies to email.
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany
Managua, Nicaragua71 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ticabus is not operating at this time.
Until further notice, Ticabus is no longer operating due to COVID-19 and numerous restrictions for travel varying by each country. Was originally supposed to take a Ticabus and book, but they had already suspended their services.
There is not current timeline or future outlook for when Ticabus will operate again. I fully understand with the current situation, that Ticabus can no longer be operational due to the varying circumstances and country travel restrictions.
Until further notice, Ticabus is no longer operating due to COVID-19 and numerous restrictions for travel varying by each country. Was originally supposed to take a Ticabus and book, but they had already suspended their services.
There is not current timeline or future outlook for when Ticabus will operate again. I fully understand with the current situation, that Ticabus can no longer be operational due to the varying circumstances and country travel restrictions.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ruth s
Victoria, Canada7 contributions
Sep 2021
This company has a website that takes you in circles with incomplete information. With that, the phone contact person will not do any booking for you. The contact chat person never replies. I wasted literally hours trying to find information about bus routes that should be extremely obvious.
Trying to book from Penas Blancas (border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica) to San Jose, Costa Rica - The confirmation only says from Managua 11 hrs, leaving me completely unsure what time, or if it is certain the bus will even come through.
(The dates that I entered do not exist. I have not been able to book, because I still have no idea where the bus would actually drop me off in San Jose.
Useless website.
Trying to book from Penas Blancas (border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica) to San Jose, Costa Rica - The confirmation only says from Managua 11 hrs, leaving me completely unsure what time, or if it is certain the bus will even come through.
(The dates that I entered do not exist. I have not been able to book, because I still have no idea where the bus would actually drop me off in San Jose.
Useless website.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael D
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua3 contributions
Dec 2021
This service would be improved if the driver respected that he has a contract with the passenger to take them to their destination, not take the word of a random stranger that said we decided to take a taxi to san juan instead of continuing to Rivas and hence leaving a family of 4 with 2 young children stranded at the border. We took a taxi and caught up with the bus, where the bus driver informed us it wasn't his fault as someone told him we decided to take the taxi instead. I wanted to knock him out and say it wasn't my fault, a random stranger told me to do it.
E14 Tica Bus from San Jose 06.00 on 31/12/2021 to Managua
E14 Tica Bus from San Jose 06.00 on 31/12/2021 to Managua
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dani van Vijfeijken
Istanbul, Türkiye8 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
The ABSOLUTE WORST. They don’t even deserve 1 star, their services are absolutely sh*t and their bus drivers are unfriendly as heck.
I travel a lot and I have never experienced a company as bad as this one. They send you the wrong locations, don’t deliver the tickets, and their customer service is just so freaking bad.
Unfortunately one of the only ways to travel to Nicaragua, if you have another option, do it. And don’t choose Tica Bus.
I travel a lot and I have never experienced a company as bad as this one. They send you the wrong locations, don’t deliver the tickets, and their customer service is just so freaking bad.
Unfortunately one of the only ways to travel to Nicaragua, if you have another option, do it. And don’t choose Tica Bus.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msbarends
Amsterdam, The Netherlands9 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
We arrived early at one of the Tica bus stops on the route from Managua to San Jose. There was a Tica bus waiting, with lots of space, but they wouldn’t take us because we had a ticket for a bus later. There was no flexibility or client friendly ness whatsoever. They couldn’t give us an actual explanation why it wasn’t possible (they had space, we already paid for a ticket) and were just rude in handeling the situation. Also funny, we could come with this bus if we bought a ticket on the spot. Also, the bus we were supposed to go with arrived two hours late. I would never ever take a Tica bus again.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha K
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
We bought a ticket from san jose to panama city at the border from nicaragua to costa rica. Since we didn’t know when we would take the bus to panama they gave us a ticket we could use anytime. We wanted to take the bus from Quepos but needed to make a reservation online since we already had purchased the ticket. That wasn’t possible so now we paid a ticket without being able to actually take the bus. Horrible service, they took hours to respond with almost no valuable information
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bathroom was unclean, service was rude. My experince was so bad, but with transnica was the best experience
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