The Corn Island airport is located at the heartof CornIsland in the Caribbean, about 70 kilometers east of Nicaragua'sAtlantic Coast, approximately a 20-minute flight from Bluefields. It has an asphalt runway in fair condition, which is 1,450 meters longand 30 meters wide, with a capacity to service diverse aircraft, such as Cessna Grand Caravan, Short 360, Let 410 and AN-26. It services regular daily flights by the following airline:La Costeña, as well as charter flights (air taxi) with other aircrafts. The air traffic control tower is equipped with VHF land-air radio and HF land-land radio communication systems to control and safeguard airport operations. Business hours are from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, seven days a week.

We have finalized the constructive plans and contract signature for the Corn Island'snew air terminal. The project consists of three phases, of which the first phase initiated the 25 of June 2003 and finalized in August 2004 the one that was included the construction of a provisional air terminal building, initiating operations the 30 of August of the same year using cargo and boarding platforms.

During the first phase it was concluded the construction of 6,930 m² of a platform area for 3 airships, 3,000 m² of deep batching of taxiway, the extension of 200 meters of runway and, construction of a provisional air terminal building. Also, it has been concluded the extension of the taxiway, in patforms 1, 2 and 3, it has been completed in a 100% the land cut with refining and compactation of surface equivalent to a 9,540 m² area. In February of the present year during the second phase 11,000 m² of runway were repaired with asphalt seal. On the other hand, safety margins and definitive taxiway were constructed, a 20 m² house to install a NDB-DME (Non directional Beacon - Distance Measuring Equipment). The definitive air terminal building will be built and it will include: immigration and customs services, offices for airlines and administrative, boarding area, a fire station, a medical center, a DEA office, X-ray equipment, metal detectors. It is considered to initiate for year 2006 and estimates to last 7months. The project also contemplates the contruction of 3 more platforms to totalize 6, the construction of an air traffic control tower and warehouse areas. The new air terminal will have a parking lot for some 30 or 40 vehicles, with an access route to the urban areas. The constructive system responds to the architectonic typology of the Caribbean making it attractive for the tourism and comfortable for the passengers.

In March 2005 it was finished the asphalt coating of the cargo and boarding platforms of the air terminal. The purpose of the project was to build an air terminal with capacity for 100 passengers, thus contributing to the development of the island's infrastructure.

CONTACT US

For more information, please call us at Tel. 575-5208 with attention to the administrator Mr. Herman Bradford. You can also contact Mr. Silvio Lopez Samcan, Local Airports Supervisor, in Managua, at Tel. (505) 233-1624 / 28, ext. 2278.

NOTE: The country code for Nicaragua is (505). If you are calling any other part of the country from Managua, you must first dial 0 (zero).

IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS

Given its widespread natural beauty, Corn Island's tourism potential is almost untapped and offers great possibilities for development. Its main source of income is based on the harvesting and selling of seafood products from the Atlantic Coast.

The following list shows some of the services that are available in Corn Island:

• The following commercial airlines are operating in Corn Island:La Costeña, Tel. 028-55-131/132.

• Taxis are the most common form of transportation on the island. Most trips cost C$ 10.00 per person. After 10:00 PM, rates increase to C$ 20.00 per person. You can hire a taxi for C$ 100.00 an hour.

• A public transportation bus travels around the island. The fare is C$ 5.00 per person.

• Visitors can also ride bicycles to get around the island. NAUTILUS ECO TOURS rents them for US$ 2.00 per hour, US$ 6.00 per half day, and US$ 10.00 for the whole day.

• Corn Island has a perimeter of 15.5 kilometers of which 7.2 kilometers are paved, it has been reahabilitated a runway of 2.47 kilometers. The paved strip runs across the middle of the island, where most of the shops are located thus allowing optimal conditions for the mobilility of its settlers.

• The boat fare between Bluefields and Corn Island is C$ 60.00 per person. The trip to Little Corn Island in a dogout also costs C$ 60.00 per person, and takes about 30 minutes.

• The main hotels are: Bayside Hotel (Tel. 028-55-001), El Paraiso Hotel (Tel. 028-55-111), Beach View Hotel (Tel. 028-55-066), La Princesa de la Isla Hotel(Tel. 505-854-2403, sitio web: www.laprincesadelaisla.com, Panorama Hotel (Tel. 028-55-065), Tropical Dreams Hotel (Tel. 028-55-056), Sweet Dreams Hotel (Tel. 028-55-056), Picnic Center (Tel. 028-55-204) and Angela Hotel Suites (Tel. 028-55-134).

• Hotel rates in Litle Corn Island range from US$ 10.00 to US$ 30.00 for a single room with a fan and from US$ 45.00 to US$ 60.00 for an air-conditioned room. Most hotels are located on the beach with a marvelous view of the sun and the ocean, such as Los Delfines Hotel and Restaurant (Tel. 028-55-239).

• The most frequented restaurants are located on the beach, such as El Paraiso a Hotel el Paraiso (Tel. 028-55-111); Dos Millas (better known as Sebas, Tel. 028-55-058), located in the Sally Peachy district; Fisher Cave (Tel. 028-55-191), located in the Brig Bay district, next to the main dock.

• Discos: Reggae Palace and Arco Iris are located in the middle of the island in the Long Beach district. El Rancho Island Taste (better known as El Bar de Arturito) is the only disco on the beach. Most of these offer Caribbean, Rasta, Reggae, Soca and Garífuna music and dancing.

• Corn Island has a tourism office located in Fisher Cave restaurant (Tel. 028-55-191). Its reresentative is Mr. Cleveland Webster and Mrs. Bred Bendlish is the office manager, who can be found next to the offices of La Costeña airline.

* Courtesy information subject to change without prior notice. The EAAI is not responsible for its accuracy and contents. It is the responsability of travellers to verify the information.