ISLA OMETEPE

Nicaragua’s mysterious volcanic island

An insider’s travel guide to Isla Ometepe

Isla Ometepe is a truly unique place. As for so many, the island was, without a doubt one of our highlights in Nicaragua. The world’s largest freshwater lake is surrounded by the pristine waters of Lago Nicaragua.

The twin-coned island

Formed by two volcanos, Conception and Maderas, the island took the shape of an infinity symbol. The once native Nahual people called the island “two hills” (Ome = two, tepe = hills). Because of Isla Ometepe’s mystical charm and breathtaking rugged landscape, mankind was intrigued by the island ever since.

As you approach the island with its twin-coned silhouette dramatically rising into the horizon, the boat ride itself brings the promise of a magical experience.

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ISLA OMETEPE TRAVEL GUIDE

Download your responsible travel guide to Isla Ometepe! Find sustainable stays, impact travel opportunities, and other useful tips!

Download PDF

ISLA OMETEPE TRAVEL GUIDE

Download your responsible travel guide to Isla Ometepe! Find sustainable stays, impact travel opportunities, and other useful tips!

Download PDF

THINGS TO DO
ISLA OMETEPE

Relax at Lago Nicaragua

Climb the twin volcanos Conception or Maderas

Hike to the waterfall San Ramon

Swim in the Ojo de Agua

Discover Laguna Charco Verde

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Beaches at Lago Nicaragua:

The Spanish conquistadors referred to Lago Nicaragua as “La Mar Dulce” for its sheer size. Naturally, there are many beach spots across the 270 km big island.

Playa Puesta del Sol

Whereas you need about one hour from Moyogalpa to Santa Domingo, you can quickly reach Playa Puesta del Sol within a few minutes.

The beach is not just tranquil and relaxed. You’ll also find great homestay options there. Several families offer a room in their own home to a guest.

They enjoy to tell intriguing island stories and never fail to feed to you with insider knowledge. It’s an exciting chance to get an authentic experience and catch a glimpse of local life.

We have never been disappointed when we stayed at homestays. To us, it’s a must-do to not miss the chance to get to know more about the friendly culture.

Playa Santa Domingo

Playa Santa Domingo is one of Isla Ometepe’s most popular beaches. This 4km long beach stretch is located right at the isthmus. You’ll find great swimming as well as numerous bars, restaurants, and hostels there. The two indigenous communities Urbaite and Las Pilas are just outside of Santa Domingo.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is located right at the isthmus of the island and hence offers a great starting point to discover. We spent our first night at the quiet Hostal Maria, which is favorite for its cheap, traditional food. You might have to wait for a little, but the delicious dishes are definitely worth it. Afterward, we ventured out to get to know the island.

Things to do in Santa Cruz:

Relax by the water

After a tasty Nicaraguan breakfast, we headed to the beach to enjoy the water and the first sun rays. We admired the vast lake which could have been easily mistaken for an ocean. The pristine water was calling for a swim. We got pretty sunburned even though it seemed overcast. For the most part of the day, we had a little bay to ourselves. It’s a lovely spot to let time pass. Every once in a while, a gaucho would lead his herd of horses to the water. It’s so beautiful to watch!

Enjoy a beer at Morgan’s Bar

We ended up Morgan’s Bar, a lively place where you can get in touch with the party crowd of the island. It gets wild in the late hours, but it’s an excellent spot to meet other travelers.

Enjoy the sunsets at Zopilote

Zopilote is the place to conclude the day with a magnificent sunset. We enjoyed the lush vegetation and the laid-back vibes. Zopilote is an eco-friendly permaculture farm nestled right amid the jungle. It’s a fantastic spot to meet locals and travelers alike and just kick back.

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Impact travel opportunity – REMO

Overwhelmed by the Isla Ometepe’s magical beauty, we completely forgot to arrange for a place to sleep. Because Maria was booked entirely, we headed out at night to find a new place to stay. Luckily, we struck it rich and found a hostel right down the main road.

We were excited to learn that the owner is part of the organization “REMO.” REMO supports women and girls suffering from domestic and sexual abuse. They develop actions and projects to intervene and prevent such incidents. Ultimately, the organization also strengthens women by providing employment and career development opportunities.

Climb the twin volcanos Conception or Maderas

Nicaragua offers plenty of volcano hikes. On Isla Ometepe, you can climb both volcanos with a guided tour. Conception is still active and is considered one of Central America’s most beautiful volcanos. If it’s cloud-free, it promises a stunning view over the island and mainland. The near-perfect cone-shaped volcano reaches an altitude of 1610 meters.

Islanders will confirm that sporadic explosions of ashes and dust are commonplace. The inactive volcano Maderas has become home to crystal clear crater lake. The slopes of the 1394 high volcano are covered in lush cloud forest boosting a mystical setting. According to the Islanders, this area is inhabited by ferries and supernatural spirits.

Even though we heard about the fantastic experience and the breathtaking views we decided against climbing a volcano. Both hikes take between 8- 10 hours till return and are incredibly challenging. So we have to admit that we did not have enough confidence nor the appropriate gear.

Sports enthusiasts and hikers should not miss out on the beautiful vegetation and impressive wildlife. Hiking boots, a wind jacket and several liters of waters are an absolute must!

Hike to the waterfall San Ramon

You find the waterfall San Ramon on the southern side of Isla Ometepe. Expect about a 3-4 hours drive from Moyogalpo. The two villages San Ramon and Merida lie at the south slope of Maderas. You can hike to the waterfall from either one of them in about 2 hours.

The public bus reaches the villages twice per day. To be a little more flexible, you can rent a vehicle in Moyogalpa or Santa Domingo.

The way towards the waterfall leads you through a nature conservation area. However, the unpaved road is a little rough. You’ll have to pay a small fee of 100 C ($2,50) at the park’s entrance gate. The easy walk towards the waterfall leads you through lush vegetation.

You can easily get there in Flipflops. On your way, you’ll be able to see the diverse local wildlife which is unique to the island. The waterfall is beautiful to look at and also offers an opportunity to cool down. The water is not deep enough to actually swim, though.

Swim in the Ojo de Agua

Admittedly, the Ojo the Agua is a touristy spot. The mineral spring lies just 2km outside of Santa Domingo amid a jungle. The two large swimming pools are 40 m long and just perfect for swimming.

It’s crowded at times. If you’re up for a little cooling down in crystal clear water and the company of other travelers, this is the perfect spot for you. The entrance fee is $2-3.

Discover Laguna Charco Verde

The lovely green shimmering lagoon is located in eponymous natural reserve Chaco Verde. You can reach the village by a 30 minutes bus ride from Moyogalpa. The wonderfully calm place is the perfect environment for peace seekers. You can best get in touch with its originality by wandering the hiking trail.

Some of the most beautiful beaches are located along the way. Playa Baleón offers unbeatable views of the volcano Maderas. On top of that, Chaco Verde is excellent for wildlife spotting. There is a small butterfly farm, too. If you are lucky, you might even get to see different kinds of monkeys. Mirrador Diabolo offers fantastic views of the island. On top of that, 10 Ziplines are waiting for you if you are ready to wake your tired bones!

GOOD TO KNOW

Public Transport

Nicaragua’s public transportation is very well developed, so it is easy to discover the country by bus. It might be the slower alternative, but it’s definitely worthwhile. Nicaraguans are super friendly, and the food sold on buses or bus stations is often delicious.

How to get to Isla Ometepe:

To reach the ferry port of San Jorge, you’ll have to get to Rivas first. It’s straightforward and comfortable to reach. If you are starting from Managua’s bus terminal UCA (Universidad Centro Americana), simply take a bus to Granada and change there for a bus to Rivas.

Alternatively, you can take a chicken bus directly to Rivas from Mercado Huembes in Managua. Once you get to Rivas, you’ll have to take a cap to the ferry terminal in San Jorge. It’s only a 10 minutes ride.

Ferries to Isla Ometepe:

The ferries to Isla Ometepe leave approximately every half hour. We choose a spot right next to the captain’s hut. To our delight, we did get to enjoy the stunning view while getting to know the crew. The cheerful and sociable team even let us take over the steering wheel!

Depending on the weather condition and the type of boat the crossing takes about one hour and costs between 35 and 55 Cordoba.

You will arrive in Moyogalpa, a picturesque port village. There used to be a ferry from Moyogalpa to Granada, but they aren’t currently operating.

Transport on Isla Ometepe:

You’ll arrive at Moyagalpa, from there you can either choose the local bus or a cab to reach your destination. Buses commute every hour without a fixed schedule. Just ask the locals – they are super eager to help.

Taxis on the island are more expensive and charge you around 10$ for a ride.

Places to stay on Isla Ometepe:

For some reason, many accommodations don’t take reservations. Therefore it’s best to arrive in daylight. Check out our responsible travel guide for Isla Ometepe to find some great options.

Best time to travel Isla Ometepe:

Isla Ometepe’s climate is warm all year around. It gets boiling and rainy during summer (from June-October). So, the best time to visit Isla Ometepe is from October to April.

Streetfood in Nicaragua:

Often you’ll find food vendors selling typical Nicaraguan dishes on the go. It’s not just delicious but cheap. To avoid the plastic wrapping, simply choose to buy your food at the bus stations and have them put it in your collapsible container.