World Tour 018-Managua to Unguia - Central America

Stage 18 of the tour finishes part 1 of North America before we head to South America. Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama provide the backdrop here, with mountains, tropical forests, beaches and islands all on show. From Managua you'll explore some more volcanoes near Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, before heading to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. A journey along the Caribbean coast before heading south over the Talamanca Mountain Range to the Pacific side and one of the featured airports in MSFS, Sirena Station. The journey will then head through Panama and include a flight along the famous Panama Canal and a visit to the capital, Panama City, before heading east to your destination in Colombia.

See trip in Skyvector

Total Legs: 24     Total Distance: 1011     Total Time(125kts): 8 hours 5 minutes

 

Leg 1

Flying from MNMG

Leg Distance: 47.84     Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

 

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MNMG(MNMG) to Laguna de Apoya(POI1)

Distance: 15.62NM     Bearing: 150°     7 minutes

 

After takeoff, head southeast over the crater lake of Laguna de Apoya

 

Laguna de Apoya(POI1) to Isla Zapatera(POI2)

Distance: 16.27NM     Bearing: 135°     8 minutes

 

Pass to the left of the twin peaked Volcan Mombacho and continue southeast over Zapatera Island, which is a national park on Lake Nicaragua - the largest lake in Central America, known locally as Cocibolca

 

Isla Zapatera(POI2) to Volcan Concepcion(POI3)

Distance: 13NM     Bearing: 142°     6 minutes

 

Continue southeast towards the island ahead which contains Concepción Volcano

 

Volcan Concepcion(POI3) to MNLP(MNLP)

Distance: 2.95NM     Bearing: 202°     1 minutes

 

When you reach the coast of the island, head south to Omtempe Airport

 

Leg 2

Flying from MNLP

Leg Distance: 61.44     Approximate time at 125kts: 29 minutes.

 

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MNLP(MNLP) to Volcan Maderas(POI4)

Distance: 13.42NM     Bearing: 108°     6 minutes

 

After takeoff, head east past the next volcano, Volcan Maderas

 

Volcan Maderas(POI4) to Solentiname Islands(POI5)

Distance: 31.99NM     Bearing: 127°     15 minutes

 

From Volcan Maderas head southeast along the lake to the low lying Solentiname Islands

 

Solentiname Islands(POI5) to MNSC(MNSC)

Distance: 16.03NM     Bearing: 96°     8 minutes

 

Head east from the islands to the western shore of the lake and the town of San Carlos. The airfield runs along side the main road through town

 

Leg 3

Flying from MNSC

Leg Distance: 47.8     Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

 

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MNSC(MNSC) to Volcan Arenal(POI6)

Distance: 40.48NM     Bearing: 177°     19 minutes

 

Head south from San Carlos and cross into Costa Rica, towards the prominent and active Volcan Arenal

 

Volcan Arenal(POI6) to MRAN(MRAN)

Distance: 7.32NM     Bearing: 90°     4 minutes

 

East of the volcano, past the town of La Foruna, is El Tanque airport

 

Leg 4

Flying from MRAN

Leg Distance: 35.18     Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.

 

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MRAN(MRAN) to Rio Penas Blancas(POI7)

Distance: 5.86NM     Bearing: 184°     3 minutes

 

Head south after takeoff until you reach the Río Peñas Blancas, and follow it southwest into the mountains

 

Rio Penas Blancas(POI7) to Rio Penas Blancas(POI8)

Distance: 9.52NM     Bearing: 249°     5 minutes

 

Follow the river southwest over the mountain range

 

Rio Penas Blancas(POI8) to MRCH(MRCH)

Distance: 19.8NM     Bearing: 190°     10 minutes

 

Once you cross the top of the mountains, turn south and head to the coastal town of Puntarenas. The airport is at the western end of the thin point of land where the town lies

 

Leg 5

Flying from MRCH

Leg Distance: 39.48     Approximate time at 125kts: 19 minutes.

 

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MRCH(MRCH) to Puerto Caldera(POI9)

Distance: 4.99NM     Bearing: 140°     2 minutes

 

After takeoff, head southeast to the circular bay, then follow the highway inland

 

Puerto Caldera(POI9) to Orotina(POI10)

Distance: 12.7NM     Bearing: 94°     6 minutes

 

Follow the highway east towards the mountains

 

Orotina(POI10) to Guacima(POI11)

Distance: 15.62NM     Bearing: 80°     7 minutes

 

Keep following the highway towards Santamaria Intl Airport in the western outskirts of San Jose

 

Guacima(POI11) to MRPV(MRPV)

Distance: 6.17NM     Bearing: 99°     3 minutes

 

A couple of miles southeast of the main airport is the smaller Bolaños Airport

 

Leg 6

Flying from MRPV

Leg Distance: 62.32     Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.

 

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MRPV(MRPV) to Irazu Volcano(POI12)

Distance: 18.55NM     Bearing: 96°     9 minutes

 

Head east after takeoff and climb to the south face of Irazú Volcano

 

Irazu Volcano(POI12) to Guapiles(POI13)

Distance: 15.93NM     Bearing: 7°     8 minutes

 

Turn north before the next volcano, Turrialba, and fly between the two volcanoes. The land will then dramatically drop away as you head towards the town of Guapiles

 

Guapiles(POI13) to MRBT(MRBT)

Distance: 27.84NM     Bearing: 41°     13 minutes

 

From Guapiles, head northeast to the coast, and the beautiful Tortuguero National Park. The airfield is next to the beach just north of the town of Tortuguero

 

Leg 7

Flying from MRBT

Leg Distance: 47.06     Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

 

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MRBT(MRBT) to Parismina(POI14)

Distance: 19.45NM     Bearing: 151°     9 minutes

 

After takeoff, head southeast along the seemingly endless beach

 

Parismina(POI14) to Limon(POI15)

Distance: 24.57NM     Bearing: 140°     12 minutes

 

Continue along the coast to the port city of Limon

 

Limon(POI15) to MRLM(MRLM)

Distance: 3.04NM     Bearing: 143°     1 minutes

 

Limon Airport is just south of the town, running alongside the shore

 

Leg 8

Flying from MRLM

Leg Distance: 32.22     Approximate time at 125kts: 15 minutes.

 

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MRLM(MRLM) to Cahuita(POI16)

Distance: 16.07NM     Bearing: 145°     8 minutes

 

Continue southeast along the coast to the town of Cahuita, which is just before Punta Cahuita, then turn south

 

Cahuita(POI16) to Rio Sixaola(POI17)

Distance: 12.17NM     Bearing: 195°     6 minutes

 

As you cross the hills you will meet up with the Sixaola River heading south towards the mountains

 

Rio Sixaola(POI17) to MRAM(MRAM)

Distance: 3.98NM     Bearing: 243°     2 minutes

 

When the river takes a 90 degree turn to the right, head southwest for a few miles to the grass airstrip of Amubri Airport

 

Leg 9

Flying from MRAM

Leg Distance: 35.55     Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.

 

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MRAM(MRAM) to Rio Coen(POI18)

Distance: 6.01NM     Bearing: 272°     3 minutes

 

After takeoff, head west until you reach the Coen river (should be the second river you meet), then follow it into the mountains

 

Rio Coen(POI18) to Rio Coen(POI19)

Distance: 5.62NM     Bearing: 265°     3 minutes

 

Continue along the river valley west into the mountains

 

Rio Coen(POI19) to Rio Coen(POI20)

Distance: 7.21NM     Bearing: 226°     3 minutes

 

Keep climbing with the valley as it curves around to the southwest

 

Rio Coen(POI20) to Cerro Casma(POI21)

Distance: 5.39NM     Bearing: 183°     3 minutes

 

Cross over the mountain pass at the low point to the south

 

Cerro Casma(POI21) to Buenos Aires(POI22)

Distance: 10.32NM     Bearing: 218°     5 minutes

 

Turn to the southwest and descend to the town of Buenos Aires

 

Buenos Aires(POI22) to MRBA(MRBA)

Distance: 1NM     Bearing: 197°     0 minutes

 

The airport is at the southern edge of the town

 

Leg 10

Flying from MRBA

Leg Distance: 53.94     Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

 

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MRBA(MRBA) to Humedal Nacional Terraba Sierpe(POI23)

Distance: 21.96NM     Bearing: 225°     11 minutes

 

After takeoff, fly southwest over the mountains and head to the coast, passing over the Térraba Sierpe Wetlands on the way

 

Humedal Nacional Terraba Sierpe(POI23) to Punta Llorona(POI24)

Distance: 20.21NM     Bearing: 213°     10 minutes

 

Follow the coast southwest

 

Punta Llorona(POI24) to MRSN(MRSN)

Distance: 11.77NM     Bearing: 131°     6 minutes

 

Follow the coast southeast until you come to Sirena Airport, cut into a clearing in the forest

 

Leg 11

Flying from MRSN

Leg Distance: 29.37     Approximate time at 125kts: 14 minutes.

 

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MRSN(MRSN) to Punta Salsipuedes(POI25)

Distance: 2.68NM     Bearing: 152°     1 minutes

 

After takeoff, continue following the coast southeast

 

Punta Salsipuedes(POI25) to Laguna Pejeperrito(POI26)

Distance: 7.68NM     Bearing: 95°     4 minutes

 

Stay with the coast as it turns to the east

 

Laguna Pejeperrito(POI26) to Cabo Matapalo(POI27)

Distance: 9.38NM     Bearing: 116°     5 minutes

 

Continue following the coast southeast to Cape Matapalo

 

Cabo Matapalo(POI27) to Santa Clara(POI28)

Distance: 8.82NM     Bearing: 95°     4 minutes

 

From Cape Matapalo, head east across the bay to the small town of Santa Clara on the opposite shore

 

Santa Clara(POI28) to MRPO(MRPO)

Distance: 0.81NM     Bearing: 146°     0 minutes

 

The airfield is just south of the town, running alongside the shore

 

Leg 12

Flying from MRPO

Leg Distance: 48.24     Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

 

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MRPO(MRPO) to La Palma(POI29)

Distance: 12.24NM     Bearing: 129°     6 minutes

 

After takeoff, fly southeast along the mountainous coastline, then turn east across the Burica Peninsula

 

La Palma(POI29) to Puerto Armuelles(POI30)

Distance: 7.6NM     Bearing: 73°     4 minutes

 

Crossing east across the Burica Peninsula, you'll leave Costa Rica and head into Panama

 

Puerto Armuelles(POI30) to Estero Rico(POI31)

Distance: 10.58NM     Bearing: 77°     5 minutes

 

Follow the coast east

 

Estero Rico(POI31) to Isla San Pedro(POI32)

Distance: 9.75NM     Bearing: 110°     5 minutes

 

Keep following the coast as it curves slightly to the southeast

 

Isla San Pedro(POI32) to MPDA(MPDA)

Distance: 8.07NM     Bearing: 43°     4 minutes

 

Once you reach the peninsula of Isla San Pedro, head northeast towards the large town of David, and the airport to its south

 

Leg 13

Flying from MPDA

Leg Distance: 34.32     Approximate time at 125kts: 16 minutes.

 

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MPDA(MPDA) to Boca Chica(POI33)

Distance: 17.05NM     Bearing: 131°     8 minutes

 

After takeoff, head southeast over the mangrove islands of Bahia de los Muertos

 

Boca Chica(POI33) to MPSF(MPSF)

Distance: 17.27NM     Bearing: 147°     8 minutes

 

Head southeast across the open water to the Secas Islands archipelago, and the small airstrip on the largest of these islands, Islas Secas

 

Leg 14

Flying from MPSF

Leg Distance: 30.1     Approximate time at 125kts: 14 minutes.

 

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MPSF(MPSF) to Isla Brincancon(POI34)

Distance: 18.61NM     Bearing: 123°     9 minutes

 

Head southeast to the next group of small islands

 

Isla Brincancon(POI34) to MPSR(MPSR)

Distance: 11.49NM     Bearing: 92°     6 minutes

 

From the islands, head east for the mainland, and the small airstrip at Pixvae

 

Leg 15

Flying from MPSR

Leg Distance: 43.21     Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.

 

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MPSR(MPSR) to Rio San Pablo(POI35)

Distance: 21.85NM     Bearing: 92°     10 minutes

 

After takeoff, head east over the mountains to the mouth of the San Pablo River

 

Rio San Pablo(POI35) to Santiago(POI36)

Distance: 19.27NM     Bearing: 47°     9 minutes

 

Turn northeast and head towards the city of Santiago

 

Santiago(POI36) to MPSA(MPSA)

Distance: 2.09NM     Bearing: 105°     1 minutes

 

Just east of the city is Santiago Airport