Mercado Roberto Huembes — the south
Buses to Masaya, Granada, Rivas, San Jorge for the Ometepe ferry, San Juan del Sur and the Peñas Blancas border with Costa Rica leave from the market at Huembes in the south-east of the city.
Chicken buses to Granada and Masaya leave about every half hour through the day; buses to San Juan del Sur run at fixed times, mostly from mid-morning to late afternoon.
Mercado Mayoreo — the north and east
The wholesale market on the east side, close to the airport, is where buses leave for Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotega, Ocotal, Somoto, Boaco, Juigalpa and the Caribbean road.
Express buses to Matagalpa and Estelí run through the day; the ordinary buses are cheaper and take about an hour longer.
Mercado Israel Lewites — the west
Buses and microbuses to León and Chinandega leave from Israel Lewites in the south-west, as do the buses to the Pacific beaches at Pochomil and Masachapa.
UCA — microbuses that leave when full
Next to the Universidad Centroamericana, minibuses leave for Granada, Masaya, Jinotepe, Diriamba and León as soon as every seat is taken. They are quicker than the chicken buses and cost a little more.
A bag that takes a seat pays a seat, so travel light or expect to pay for your luggage.
Getting between terminals
The terminals are far apart and the city buses between them are crowded with luggage. Most visitors take a taxi with the price agreed before getting in — or skip the terminals entirely with a driver from door to door.