OMETEPE HIGHLIGHTS

Chaco Verde: This side of the island is really `back to nature`. Swim in the lake with only the birds and howler monkets to keep you company.

 

El Ojo de Agua: The only place you can swim other than in the lake, the waters of El Ojo de Agua are crystal clear from the mountains, and bracing. Enjoy an afternoon bathing in a beautiful natural setting.

 

Playa Santo Domingo: Between the two volcanoes. A  crescent of black sand nestled on the “bridge” Nearby is a good place to spot monkeys. The rexcord rains of 2010 mean the beach is now partly submerged.

 

Río Istián: Paddling a kayak through a tree canopy with the two volcanos as a background. Best early morning or before sunset.

 

Volcan Maderas: The smaller of Ometepe`s two volcanoes- 1,394 meters- and the more popluar hike. Maderas is dormant with a beautiful forested lake within the crater. Allow at least four hours to go up and three to come back down. Do not attempt the hike without a guide.

HOTELS IN OMETEPE

In keeping with the 'back to nature' style of life on Ometepe, there are- thankfully- no luxury resorts on the island.

Our recommended hotels on Ometepe are Villa Paraiso on Playa Santo Domingo and Hotel Merida very close to the base of Volcan Maderas.

Book hotel accommodation in Nicaragua HERE

GETTING TO OMETEPE

The quickest most popular way to get to Ometepe is via San Jorge near Rivas.

Boats there leave to make the 15km (9.3mi) crossing to Moyogalpa on Ometepe.

There are 2 types of boat:

Car/passenger ferries and  basic lanchas (small boats). The crossing, which takes just over an hour, can be fairly rough, particularly in the afternoon. The ferries are more comfortable than the lancha crossing.

Tickets can be bought on board, or (for ferry departures only) at the ticket office. There are 11 daily departures each way.

 

From Granada:

Boats leave Granada only 2 times a week- Monday & Thursday at 2.00p.m- crossing to Altagracia on the island.

       

ISLA DE OMETEPE

Isla de Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua.

Both volcanoes, Concepcion  and Maderas, are joined forming one island.
Ometepe  is 31 km long and 5 to 10 km wide.

We couldn't describe it better than Mark Twain:

"Two magnificent pyramids, clad in the softest and richest green, all flecked with shadow and sunshine, who summits pierce the billowy clouds. They look so isolated from the world and its turmoil, so tranquil, so dreamy, so steeped in slumber and eternal repose."