Driving Directions
The quickest way to Gigante from the airport goes through Managua, then through Masaya and on to the Pan American Highway. After taking the Pan Am to Rivas the route takes you through the only roads to Gigante which are dirt and gravel for the last 16 KM . If you are traveling in the rainy season (June-Nov), then it’s best to have a 4X4 vehicle. We have put together some detailed driving directions with pictures to help you navigate the trip. Pay close attention to the distances between landmarks and the pictures of the landmarks. But beware of changes to some of these landmarks, particularly the signs promoting politicians, because they can change quickly. We make every effort to keep up with changes in the landmarks, but as I said, things can change quickly here in Nicaragua.
Leaving the Airport and Managua
When leaving the airport head west (left turn out of the airport)on Pista Perdo Joaquin Chamorro. Approximatly 3.0 KM from the airport exit you will see this:
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Turn left on Pista de La Solidaridad from Pista Perdo Joaquin Chamorro which will take you to Carretera Masaya. Drive exactly 3.2 KM on Pista de La Solidaridad until you see this:
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Turn left here onto Carretera Masaya. This road is wide and well paved so things go a little quicker from here. Drive 22 KM on Carretera Masaya until you see a rotunda with signs directing you to Catarina on the right. You will see this picture of the Nicaraguan President where you turn.
There is a tower on the left. Following the right turn you will see a Purina Plant on your left.
Head straight down this road for 8.9 kilometers and you will see a fork in the road. Take the road to Catarina.
Bear left at this rotunda and head down the hill. You will see the Mombacho Volcano straight ahead. This road is an older asphalt road that is in need of repair. This is the worst stretch of road between the airport and Tola.
Drive 7.5 kilometers down this asphalt road in need of repair and you will come to a fork in the road.
Bear left at the fork and this will bring you to the Pan American Highway.
Turn left on the Pan Am and drive 27 kilometers to the Puente Ochomogo Bridge.<
You will pass through Nandame which is just 2 kilometers past the turn onto the Pan Am. This bridge is 25 kilometers from Nandame and crosses the Rio “Ochomogo”. You must slow down before you cross the bridge because there is normally police stationed at the bridge. Be sure not to cross any solid lines before or after the bridge crossing.
11.5 kilometers past the bridge you will see a roadside hotel:
Then another 10 kilometers to a very gaudy restaurant (don’t eat here):
You will see the “Bienvenidos a Rivas” sign exactly 25 kilometers from the Ochomogo bridge:
Exactly 29.6 kilometers from the Ochomogo bridge and 4.6 kilometers from the Benevidos a Rivas sign you will see the turnoff to Tola. The turn is marked by a sign indicating 25 Km to Arenas Tola (next to Gigante) and a sign indicating 35 Km to Rancho Santana:>
Turn right here and drive 1 Km to the next main road intersection. Lots of bicicletas and pedestrians on thes 1 Km stretch so be careful.
You will turn right at the intersection shown below and head off to Tola which is about 12 Km straight down this road.
Watch out for speed bumps! There are several on this road: there are three within 3 Km of the turn and a real nasty one 8.4 Km from the turn in front of a school. However, you may not see the school, so watch your odometer and be ready to slow down!
Just before you enter Tola, you will cross the Zopilota River on a one lane bridge. The bridge is located exactly 11.3 Km from the turn out of Rivas.
You will enter Tola after passing two speed bumps. If you look carefully at this picture, you can see one of the dreaded speed bumps.:
Once you are in Tola, you go less than a kilometer before you make a left turn at the police station on the left. You will see a park on your right and at the corner where the park ends, look to your left and you will see the police station. Make a left at the police station.
After making the left at the police station, go two blocks and turn right onto the dirt road. This road is the main road between Tola and Las Salinas. You will see this colorful sign where you make the right:
Drive on this road about 6 Km and you will see this sign advertising Snyder Realty. You will also see a sign indicating 16 km to Rancho Santana. Bear right here and continue following the dirt road.
Exactly 10.5 Km from your last turn leaving Tola you will see a purple bus stop on the right and a group of signs on the left advertising Azore Resort, Hotel Brio and some other developments. Turn left here.
ON THE RIGHT:
ON THE LEFT
After making this left turn, you go exactly 2 Km and you’ll see a painted rock and two signs showing the way to Arenas Tola and Azore. Make a right here and drive 3.4 Km until you see the ocean in Gigante.
Once you see the Ocean, turn left and drive about 0.1 Km until you see Casa Amirilla on your left:
