Rent a Car in Rivas Center

Rivas is Nicaragua's southernmost major city and with 6 rental companies in the center, it's a perfect base for exploring Ometepe, San Juan del Sur, and the Costa Rica border. The city is located 110 km south of Managua via Carretera Panamericana and just 15 km from the Peñas Blancas border crossing. From here it's 12 km to the San Jorge port where ferries to Ometepe depart.

Rivas center is dominated by the historic Plaza de Rivas and the colonial church La Parroquia de San Pedro. The city is known as the avocado region, and the market at Mercado Municipal offers local products from throughout southern Nicaragua. Use your rental car for day trips to Ometepe — leave your car in San Jorge and take the ferry.

Drive early to the Peñas Blancas border to avoid afternoon queues that can get long. Fill up in Rivas as fuel is cheaper than at the border. How do I get to Ometepe from Rivas with a rental car?

Drive 12 km to the San Jorge port and take the ferry to Moyogalpa on Ometepe; the trip takes 1–1.5 hours. Your car can be left at secure parking by the port. How far is it from Rivas to the Costa Rica border?

The Peñas Blancas border is 15 km south of Rivas and can be reached in 20 minutes via Carretera Panamericana. Can I drive the rental car to Costa Rica? Most Nicaraguan rental companies do not permit border crossings to Costa Rica — check the terms carefully before booking.

We compare prices from all major providers at Rivas Center so you can see the total cost upfront — including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.