Isla de Ometepe
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Nicaragua
Did you know?
- The Maderas summit hike leads to a crater lake.
- The island's name combines Nahuatl words meaning two and mountain.
- Concepción and Maderas are the two volcanoes that form this lake island.
See also
.jpg){kind=link}
San Juan del Sur
Nicaragua11.25°N 85.87°W · 9 m
Overview
Two volcanic peaks rise from Lake Nicaragua to form this island. Concepción and Maderas give the landscape its distinctive shape, echoed in a Nahuatl name meaning two mountains.
Languages: Spanish
Why Go?
Isla de Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua - active Volcan Concepcion and dormant Volcan Maderas. The name derives from Nahuatl words ome (two) and tepetl (mountain). Known as an "oasis of peace," Ometepe remained largely unscathed by Nicaragua's violent conflicts and offers a remote escape with black volcanic beaches, howler monkeys, and hiking opportunities. While not a party destination, the island offers hiking, water sports, beaches, and nature experiences spread across its volcanic terrain.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get In
The main ferry arrives at Moyogalpa from San Jorge (near Rivas). To reach San Jorge, take a bus from Granada (C$20 from the "Empalme para Granada" intersection) or Managua (express bus C$70). The boat connection between San Carlos and Granada via Ometepe has been subject to cancellations as of early 2017 due to low water levels during dry season - don't count on it. Twice-weekly ferry service runs from Altagracia to San Carlos. Moyogalpa Airport serves internal flights.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get Around
Bicycle and motorbike rental are the fastest and most comfortable ways to explore the island - most destinations outside towns are not walkable. Buses and taxis exist but are slow and infrequent. Bicycle rental is available at several locations including Pescaditos restaurant in Merida. The island is large; circumnavigating one volcano by bicycle in a day is challenging but possible, while motorbike can cover more ground.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to Go
The dry season (approximately November to April) offers better conditions for hiking and beach visits. During rainy season (roughly May to October), Santo Domingo Beach can disappear as the lake rises. The San Ramon Waterfall is best viewed during rainy season - ask locally if water is flowing before hiking. Kite surfing winds are strong and consistent year-round.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Stay
Moyogalpa and Altagracia are the main towns with accommodation options. Budget travelers can find hospedajes (hostels) starting around US$3-5 per person. For mid-range options, Little Morgan's in Santa Cruz offers hammocks, dorms, and private casitas (US$3-30) with a lively bar scene. Finca Ecologica El Zopilote near Balgue provides eco-friendly accommodation including camping, hammocks (US$4), dorms (US$8), and cabins (US$12-16). Hacienda Merida and adjacent Rancho Merida offer more upscale options around US$15-25.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and Drink
Local food centers on rice and beans (the traditional staple) with fresh ingredients. Little Morgan's near Santa Cruz serves Western and Nicaraguan fare from US$2-6, including daily breakfast specials and nightly dinner options like lasagna and curry. Hostal Santa Cruz offers extensive Western and local menus (US$4-8) with vegetarian options. Pescaditos in Merida serves local food with numerous vegetarian options including soy meat when available. Beer costs around US$2-3 at most bars, though 1L beers at beach bars are nearly double.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
Hiking is the main draw: Volcan Concepcion summit takes 5-8 hours return (strenuous, 10 USD "no guide" fee plus 3 USD entry per person); Volcan Maderas summit reaches a crater lake in about 6 hours (less strenuous). The 80m San Ramon Waterfall requires several hours return from Merida. See petroglyphs at Finca El Porvenir village. Water activities include kite surfing near Playa Santa Cruz (gear rental 60 USD/2 hours, lessons 110 USD/2 hours), kayaking (be aware of strong trade winds), swimming at Santo Domingo Beach or Ojo de Agua fresh spring, and fishing. Horseback riding and bicycle/motorbike exploration are popular ways to see the island.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Ometepe is relatively safe compared to mainland Nicaragua due to its island location making person traffic easy to monitor. Trails are unmarked and terrain is rough - hiring a local guide is inexpensive and recommended, especially for volcano hikes. Bring plenty of water (more than 2 liters) and good shoes for hiking. There is some volcanic activity risk when climbing Concepcion - heed any warning signs. Semi-feral dogs frequent tourist establishments; don't feed them and keep food supplies inaccessible if camping. Minor begging may occur but locals are generally welcoming.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
WiFi is available at select accommodations including Hospedaje San Fernando near Santo Domingo Beach, which offers fast internet for the island (~800 MBit). Little Morgan's and other hostels may have WiFi. For mobile connectivity, Nicaraguan cellular providers offer coverage on the island.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day Trips
Reserva Charco Verde on the southern part of the island offers wildlife viewing, swimming, hiking, and kayaking. Santo Domingo Beach provides the island's only easily accessible sand beach. Punta Jesus Maria on the Concepcion side is best reached by bike, with a long sandy headland in dry season. El Ceibo museum displays pre-Columbian artifacts and the country's largest currency collection (as of 2012). Ojo de Agua is a fresh water spring for swimming.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go Next
San Juan del Sur, a surfing paradise, is easily accessible by bus from the island. Granada, a colonial city on the lake, can be reached by ferry to San Jorge then express bus to Managua with a transfer at the Granada intersection. San Carlos offers twice-weekly ferry service from Altagracia for continuing to the Rio San Juan region.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Finca Ecologica El Zopilote
Finca El Zopilote is a farm/hostel run by an Italian family from Tuscany from 2002 located in Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua. Finca el zopilote offers to the visitors different types of accommodation such as camping, hammocks, dormitory and private cabins, spread over a large garden. Located on a hillside, the site requires a fairly strenuous 200- to 300-m walk up a rocky path to access. (If you have come by car, it can be parked for a nominal fee at a roadside business). A flashlight (available for purchase at the reception) is helpful to navigate the property after dark. Similar to other hostels in the arera, there is no kitchen access for the visitors, but a restaurant is available on site; it is also possible to buy freshly baked bread (C$50, i.e. around US$2) at the reception. Three nights a week pizza is cooked in a traditional wood oven. There are compost toilets, and greywater from the showers and the kitchen is cleaned through an onsite processing system. The land is completely planted with trees and plants of every kind, there is a nursery and a vegetable garden and are present many works to limit erosion and water harvesting earth work. Have been used and ferro-cement techniques for the construction of water tanks.There are working possibilities for people interested in permaculture and helping in running the farm/hostel. Is possible to visit the farm including the litthe leather /handycraft shop and observe the view from a look out tower. The hostel is a convenient starting point for a Volcan Maderas ascent (US$8 per person guided hike). As of 2016, the owners of El Zopilote are also running an adjacent property, La Brisa, on similar terms as the main El Zopilote site; accessing La Brisa requires an additional uphill walk from El Zopilote.
Recorded price: Cabins US$12-16, dorm US$8, hammock US$4
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Finca del Sol
An ecological farm offering 3 private cabins, with private bath for rent. Very private, overlooking Volcano Concepcion and Lake Nicaragua. The Cabins are fully screened, with mosquito netting, purified water, TV and DVD - over 100 movies in English, Spanish and Italian to choose from. We are 100% solar powered and have a composting toilet system. Located a 10 min walk from the trailhead to Volcano Madaras and a few minutes from the best beach on the island, we are a great choice for the adventurer wishing for a little more comfort. On the farm we raise tropical sheep, grow rice, fruits and veggies.Mid price range - We have a maximum occupancy of 10 guests, so reservations are highly recommended. Visit our website for more info
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hospedaje Charco Verde
Recorded price: US$5-18 per room
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hospedaje San Fernando
The nice hostal called Hospedaje San Fernando is found at the beach called Santo Domingo. Only 800 m from the hotel Villa Paraiso. The place is very central to the most common activities (inside 4 km) in Ometepe: swimming at 'Ojo de Agua', the beach with the white sand called Santo Domingo, the good old Finca Magdalena, the 'Humedal de Istian' and the forest 'Nebliselva' of the vulcano Maderas which to walk on is the major activity for visitors. The privileged position near the road between the two volcanoes allows you to get around by feed or by public transport. Rooms in several nice small private houses. Price range: US$4-12. Breakfast included. Internet included. Very fast for the island (~800 MBit). Access to the beach, Rancho, Hammocks.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostal Ibesa
Budget hostal in Moyogalpa with shared and private rooms run by a friendly local family.
Recorded price: shared room US$3, private room US$4 per person
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Bahia
Restaurant with two simple rooms in back, private with shower and toilet.
Recorded price: US$7
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Little Morgan´s
Beautiful accommodation, bar and restaurant. Owned by Morgan (the fun Irish guy) and run by a lovely Australian couple. All types of accommodation catered for with hammocks, dorms and private casitas. It is set amongst tropical trees feeling like a real paradise, and is on the lake, so is perfect for a swim and then relax by the bar or in a hammock. The bar has a pool table and is the most happening place at night. The dorms are far enough away though that you can sleep if you need to. Great food and great people. They offer everything from horseback riding to remedial massage. A wonderful pace to stay, see www.littlemorgans.com for pictures and more information.
Recorded price: US$3-30
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Monkey Island
Created by a rich Nicaraguan family from the Esteli, on the grounds of a former coffee plantation owned by the Somoza family, Hacienda Merida provides some social programs for the local area, but definitely has a feel of keeping tourists away from the real Merida. Nicely landscaped grounds, a travel library, good (even if somewhat pricey) restaurant, kayak rental, and an interesting conversation with the opinionated owner. (He earned a national prize in 2009 for a public environmental education campaign; posters created by him can be seen all over the island, and Hacienda Merida, is, naturally, an epicenter of their concentration; he continues to carry out a number of environmental and educational programs, such as using plastic garbage as a construction material, and running the Ometepe Bilingual School on site). A tiny "monkey island" off Point Congo (some 500 m away; marker
Recorded price: Dorms for US$8, rooms from $25
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
WiFi available at select accommodations; Hospedaje San Fernando offers notably fast connection for the island.
Money
US dollars are widely accepted for accommodations and tours. Cordoba (C$) is the local currency. Cash is preferred at smaller establishments.
Safety
The island is relatively safe compared to mainland Nicaragua. Trails are unmarked - guides are cheap and recommended for hiking. Bring ample water on volcano treks.
Transport
Ferry service from San Jorge to Moyogalpa is the main access. Bicycles and motorbikes are the best way to explore the island. Bus service exists but is infrequent.
Weather
Dry season (Nov-Apr) is best for hiking. Rainy season (May-Oct) brings higher lake levels that can submerge beaches.