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Isla Ometepe

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Isla de Ometepe is an island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. Ometepe is a must-see if you find yourself in Nicaragua. These twin volcanic islands are a remote escape located in the middle of Lago de Nicaragua. There are only a few small settlements on the island, along with a number of small coffee plantations. Finca Magdalena, located on the south-east end of the island, is a humble coffee plantation that allows backpackers to stay and take part in the coffee harvest. Be warned: the conditions are rough and the food is basic (but both are extremely inexpensive). A hike into the jungle nearby will allow you to witness Howler Monkeys and numerous wild birds. The cone of Volcano Maderas is an arduous day-trip that will bring you to a small lake in the heart of the Volcano's cone.

Regions

Cities

  • Moyogalpa, harbour village
  • Altagracia, eastern side of the island

Other destinations

  • Reserva Charco Verde is a nature reserve with abundant wildlife on the southern part of the island, where you can swim, hike and kayak.

Culture and History

Talk

Travel to Isla Ometepe & Visa Requirements

You can get to the island (Moyogalpa) by boat or ferry from San Jorge near Rivas for about 2 USD. On Monday and Thursday (leaves around 2 pm) there is a ferry from Granada to the Island (Altagracia) for less then 2 USD. On Tuesday and Friday there is a ferry comming from San Carlos to the Island (12 h ride) for about 2,5 USD.

Tours & Getting around Isla Ometepe

Very slow local buses run to most villages on the island. Service is relatively frequent between Moyogalpa and Altagracia (roughly every hour), less so to Balgue and Merida (three or four per day).

The road along the isthmus and around Volcan Maderas is in very rough shape.

Isla Ometepe attractions and sightseeing

Itineraries

Isla Ometepe city tours

Options on the island include:

  • hike to the top of Volcan Concepcion (~ 8 hours return, strenuous)
  • hike to the top of Volcan Maderas to a crater lake (~ 6 hours return, less strenuous)
  • hike to a 35-m waterfall on the south side of Maderas (several hours return)
  • see petroglyphs at the village of Finca El Porvenir
  • go horseback riding
  • rent a bicycle and explore the island on your own
  • rent a motorbike and explore the island on your own
  • go fishing
  • go swimming in the fresh water

Trails are generally unmarked and the terrain is rough. Local guides are inexpensive good.

The island is very large and to go by bicycle around one volcano in one day is very challenging, getting around both volcanos by motorbike in one day is a little easier but still difficult.

Isla Ometepe Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

  • Punto De Encuentro, on the road Before Finca Magdalena. Amazing vegetarian food cooked with love in Hare Krishna style discipline. Great place to meet people. They have buffets every few nights for C$40. Locally owned.

Isla Ometepe cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Hostal Ibesa Owned and operated by a friendly and helpful local family, shared room $3 USD per person, your own private room $4 USD, there is also a dorm room which may be even cheaper, very clean and comfortable (prices in April 2008), laundry service.
  • Finca Magdalena near Balgue is a cooperativly run organic finca. gets quite a lot of tourists (for Ometepe). 2,5 USD in dorm, 1,25 USD in hammock

The most beautiful place in the world!

  • Finca Zopilote is a nice place just 2 km before Balgue. owned by very friendly Italians with an anarcho touch. dorm 3 USD, hammock 1,50 USD
  • Playa Volcan a place near Merida, cheap.
  • Hospedaje Charco Verde $5 - 18 USD per room
  • Hospedaje Ortiz is located in Altagracia and is the cheapest place in town, a block or so from the central plaza. Its friendly and earnest owner Mario will do everything in his power to make your stay comfortable, and will worry about you if you come back late!
  • Casa Istiam at Playa Santo Domingo is a great budget place to stay. Right across the road from the beach.
  • Hotel Finca Santo Domingo is a more expensive place at Playa Santo Domingo (approx. 15 USD) right on the beach.
  • Villa Paraiso is reputedly the nicest place to stay (probably the most expensive) and is located on Playa Santo Domingo. Tours can be arranged. Bicycle rental available.

Isla Ometepe nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Stay safe

Thanks to the fact that it's an island which is kind of easy to check traffic of persons it is, in comparison to the rest of Nicaragua, pretty safe.

Get out

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This page was last edited at 03:34, on 18 September 2008 by Peter Fitzgerald. Based on work by Fabian Kern, Stuart McIlwain, Frank and Tom Holland, Wikitravel user(s) Morph and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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