Growing up in Nicaragua I would often go on vacation to different places within the country, and without a doubt, my favorite place to visit in Nicaragua has always been Ometepe!
Ometepe Island (or Isla de Ometepe) is a breathtaking volcanic island surrounded by Lake Nicaragua. It’s a popular travel destination that offers outdoor adventures, and stunning landscapes. In this guide, we’ll share the top things to do in Ometepe to make the most of your visit.
- How to get to Isla de Ometepe
- How to Get Around in Ometepe
- Where To Stay in Ometepe
- Where to Eat in Ometepe
- What are the Top 10 Things to Do in Ometepe
How to get to Isla de Ometepe
The most common way to get to Ometepe is by taking the ferry from the port of San Jorge, a town near Rivas. The one-hour ferry ride offers spectacular views of the island and the lake.
If you are coming from the nearby popular surfing town of San Juan del Sur you should take the bus to Rivas and from there take another bus to San Jorge to catch the ferry.
If you are coming from the colonial city of Granada you can also take the bus to Rivas, and then to San Jorge, or consider a taxi straight to San Jorge as it is a bit of a longer drive otherwise.
Tip: If you are bringing your car to Ometepe make sure to call ahead to reserve a spot for your car on the ferry.
Most ferries departing San Jorge will bring you to Ometepe’s main port of Moyogalpa, and a few will take you to the smaller town of San Jose del Sur. Only the ferry to Moyogalpa allows for you to bring your car.
You can easily find ferry schedules here to suit your needs, with departures available throughout the day.
How to Get Around in Ometepe
With over half of the island’s roads unpaved the best option is to rent a motorcycle or scooter. This way you will be able to explore the island at your own pace while covering large distances. Day rates are quite reasonable, usually between $15 and $20 USD per day. Numerous rental businesses are found all around the island, particularly in Moyogalpa.
Taxis on the island tend to be quite expensive so we recommend avoiding them in general. However, for the Volcan Maderas hike, you will most likely be taking a taxi as you start the hike on one side of the volcano and will end up on the far side.
Tip: The police in Ometepe, and in Nicaragua in general, are often on the lookout to hand out fines to travelers in the hopes of getting some money on the side. So make sure not to give them any excuse to stop you. Wear your helmet, check your lights are working, and have your driver’s license on you.
Where To Stay in Ometepe
There are many towns and villages on Ometepe island where you can find accommodation, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. The most popular areas to stay in Ometepe are around:
Moyogalpa
The main port town on Isla de Ometepe is not particularly pretty. However, Moyogalpa offers various restaurants, shops, and accommodations at pretty budget prices. This is also the busiest but best-connected part of the island and the best place to stay if you’re going to hike Volcan Concepcion.
Hostel Coco’s is a cute low-budget hostel in Moyogalpa with dorms and private rooms available. They also offer bicycle rentals and a communal kitchen.
Hospedaje Soma is another hostel with great private rooms. It is a bit more expensive but it also has a pool as well as a nice garden to relax in.
Altagracia
The largest town on the island, with the Basilica de la Virgen de la Concepcion and a few hotels and restaurants of interest.
Finca San Juan de la Isla is a great hotel on a medium budget. Nearby the town of Altagracia, this farm offers comfortable rooms and a pool. They also have a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Santo Domingo, Santa Cruz, and Balgue
These are three peaceful villages in the northern part of the island close to each other, known for their beautiful beaches. This is probably the best area for tourists to find somewhere to stay in Ometepe and disconnect.
Totoco Eco-Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge located in the hills of Santo Domingo, offering breathtaking views and sustainable practices. They have private bungalows and a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine.
El Pital is a lakeside chocolate plantation that doubles up as a hostel with dorms and private rooms. All of the rooms are surrounded by the jungle, the sounds of nature, and the incredible lake.
Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring budget or seeking a luxurious experience, Ometepe Island has accommodations to suit your needs.
Did you Know
By booking your accommodation for your visit to Ometepe through our link, we earn a small commission and it does not cost you anything more.
Where to Eat in Ometepe
Isla de Ometepe offers mostly family-run restaurants. Think simple, locally produced, Nicaraguan cuisine. Here are some spots you could try out in the two main towns.
- El Bamboo: A popular restaurant in Moyogalpa known for its delicious seafood dishes and outdoor seating area with views of the lake.
- Cafe Campestre: A cozy coffee shop in Altagracia that serves delicious pastries, sandwiches, and freshly brewed coffee.
- Comedor La Princesa: A local restaurant in Moyogalpa that serves traditional Nicaraguan dishes, including gallo pinto (rice and beans) and grilled chicken.
- Cafe Arte-Sana: A charming cafe in Balgüe that serves organic coffee, homemade bread, and vegetarian options.
- El Jardin de la Vida: A vegetarian restaurant in Santo Domingo that offers a variety of healthy dishes, including smoothie bowls and fresh salads.
What are the Top 10 Things to Do in Ometepe
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained on Isla de Ometepe. Whether you’re into outdoor activities or just want to disconnect and relax. Here are some of the top things to do in Ometepe:
1. Hike a volcano
Challenge yourself to trek up either of the two volcanoes on the island, Volcan Concepcion or Volcan Maderas, both offering stunning views of the island and surrounding lakes. When I use the word challenge I am not joking! The Volcan Maderas climb takes between 8 to 10 hours round trip and the Volcan Concepcion around 10 hours, depending on your level of fitness.
Volcan Maderas
We climbed Volcan Maderas. It is the one most people recommend as there is much more to see along the way up. You will start in the dry jungle that covers most of Nicaragua and make your way up past several distinct biomes including cloud forest. You have the chance to see white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, turtles, and a variety of birds.
At the volcano’s peak, you will be greeted by the crater lagoon shrouded in mist. If you feel up for it you can swim in it, but it’s cold and incredibly muddy so I didn’t.
Tip: Please note that a guide is mandatory for the hike as people have gotten lost and even died on the trek! You can find your guides through one of the two main guide associations on Ometepe. You can reach out to the AGCA at [email protected] or the UGO at [email protected]
Volcan Concepcion
Hiking the Volcan Concepcion is even more challenging than the Maderas Volcano. This is because Volcan Concepcion is still active, and due to this, a significant portion of the hike has no tree cover, is on loose volcanic rock, and is steep!
However, we still think the 7-hour hike of the Volcan Concepcion is still one of the best things to do on Ometepe Island. So much so, that Lonely Planet has included the Volcan Concepcion in their “Epic Hikes around the World” book!
The rewards for this hike are the chance of seeing Volcan Concepcion’s fuming craters, awesome views over the lake as well as views across Central America’s volcanic spine. However, it’s almost always cloudy at the top.
The three trails you can take are La Concha and La Flor which start by Moyogalpa, and La Sabana, which is close to Altagracia.
Guided treks up the volcano cost between US$25 to US$40 per person (depending on the size of the group).
2. Visit the San Ramon waterfall
The San Ramon waterfall is an easy 3 – 4 hour hike located on the slopes of Volcan Maderas. Perfect as a half-day activity.
Head to the San Ramon beach, you will find signs leading you to where the trail starts. Entrance is US$5 per person and the last entry is at 14:00 as it will get too dark afterward to complete the whole hike.
There is a parking lot by the entrance where you can leave your vehicle, however, if you have a 4×4 car or an ATV, you can make your way further up the trail to a parking lot higher up. This will cut off 1.5 hours of the hike along the road.
Tip: While I said it’s an easier hike I still recommend taking good shoes, water, a snack, and of course bathing suits and a towel!
3. Check out the petroglyphs
Ometepe is also well known for its ancient petroglyphs, and rock carvings, dating back to pre-Columbian times that are scattered across the island. Some date as far back as 1000 B.C.!
Ometepe Island was considered sacred to early Indians, the Maderas volcano was linked to the sun, and the Concepcion was linked to the moon. As such you can find cave paintings, pottery, and the famous petroglyphs all over Ometepe island.
While there are many private museums, and even houses, that contain petroglyphs, there are still places in Ometepe where you can see them in their original location! Such as San Antonio Farm, Primavera Farm, Finca Porvenir and Finca Magdalena.
4. Swim in El Ojo de Agua
The Ojo de Agua is a natural pool, formed by an underground river that comes down from the Volcan Maderas. The crystal clear waters of the Ojo de Agua make it a perfect place to refresh yourself after a long day of hiking around Ometepe.
The price of admission is $10 per person, of which $5 can be used at the restaurant. It is open from 08:00 to 17:00 every day. Basic changing facilities and lockers for your belongings are available on the premises.
My recommendation is to come early, since in recent years it has started to fill up, and crowds kill the remaining calm of this natural pool in the jungle. Also, what better way to start your day than with a cool dip in some fresh water?
Note: Unfortunately, the Ojo de Agua isn’t quite as pristine as it used to be many years ago when I first visited it. The sides of the pool have been lined with cement to form two separate pools, the jungle’s vegetation has been cut back to make way for sun chairs, and a restaurant has been set up nearby to cater to guests.
If you’re wondering how to get to the Ojo de Agua, from Altagracia you should take the road towards Playa Santo Domingo and after about 5km you will see a sign for The Eye of the Water. If you’re coming from Santo Domingo, just go towards Altagracia until you see the same sign. From there it is 500m to the parking lot.
5. Walk the sandbar at Punta Jesus Maria
One of the less-known but one of the best things to do in Ometepe is to go to the sandbar at Punta Jesus Maria. At the most western point of Ometepe island, you will find a stretch of sand.
During the dry season, it creates a walkable sandbar almost a kilometer long. During the rainy season, you will see the beautiful effect of the waves lapping onto the sandbar from both sides, so it’s still worth going.
Tip: Make sure to visit Punta Jesus Maria close to sunset as the sunsets here are truly incredible!
It is 4km from Moyogalpa, heading towards Altagracia, along the main road. You will see a sign and then it is 1.5km on an easy, unpaved road to the beach.
6. Go bird-watching
There is an astonishing variety of bird life present on the island. From nuca amarilla parrots, urracas and, the national bird, guardabarrancos to herons and other migratory birds.
Tip: The best time of the year for birdwatching in Nicaragua is anywhere between September and April, when many migratory birds spend their time in Nicaragua. The best time of day for a birdwatching tour is from dawn to 11:00 as this is when birds are most active.
You can organize a tour through the Union de Guias de Ometepe (UGO) at [email protected].
However, I recommend going with Antonio (+505 7753 8747), a Nicaraguan ornithologist who lives in Ometepe and is involved with conservation efforts of the Nuca Amarilla parrot on Ometepe. He organizes birdwatching tours by kayak. He speaks very good English as he studied ornithology in the USA. I recommend you bring your binoculars though!
7. Go on a Kayaking adventure
The lake is beautiful and serene to kayak on and when the sun begins to set you’ll get no better view than from being out on the water.
You can also go on a kayaking adventure along the Istian River where you’ll see many birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. The Istian river is a web of waterways that creates a gorgeous, untouched area of wetlands at the thin intersection between Volcan Maderas and Volcan Concepcion.
Both one-person and two-person kayaks are available with all tour operators.
When to kayak in Ometepe
Tours usually last around 2 hours and times are completely flexible. At what time you start the tour will greatly change what you get to see though:
Morning tours will give you the best chance of spotting many birds and other animals as this is when they are most active.
Afternoon tours are best for seeing crocodiles. However, do be warned that the heat from the sun at this time of day can be overbearing.
Late afternoon tours are my personal favorite, as the Rio Istian takes on an impressive color of orange with the setting sun and the view over the lake at this time is incredible.
Tip: While you can organize a tour (with pickup included) through whichever hostel or hotel you’re staying at, however it’ll certainly be cheaper if you make your way closer to the Istian river yourself.
How to get to the kayak operators
The stretch of road between Santa Cruz and Merida, called NN-226, is your best bet to find tour operators offering kayaking tours. If you go there directly you can pay as little as 500 Cordobas per person.
Some kayak rentals you could try out are:
- El Caiman
- Playa El Peru Kayak Kencho
- Playa Mangos Kayaks and Restaurant
- Caballito’s Mar
We recommend going with a guide rather than yourself as you’ll spot a lot more wildlife that way.
What to bring during your kayak tour in Ometepe
- A hat is essential to keep the tropical sun off your head;
- Plenty of water, stay hydrated out there;
- I can’t emphasize sunscreen enough;
- Binoculars are a good idea. Even if the guide will share his binoculars, its not comfortable passing them between kayaks and you might miss wildlife sightings doing so!
8. Relax at the beach
Since it is an island, of course one of the best things to do in Ometepe is go to the beach. Enjoy the natural beauty of the island’s beaches, with Playa Santo Domingo and Playa Los Mangos being our favorites.
9. Go to Charco Verde
Check out the 20-hectare ecological reserve of Charco Verde. Here you can admire the flora and fauna of the region, spot lots of wildlife, walk the scenic trail around the lagoon, and end the day at their private beach.
10. Join a coffee tour at Finca Magdalena
Besides visiting the nearby petroglyphs you will also get a chance to sample local organic coffee and meet some of the local farmers.
Read more about what to do with 10 days in Nicaragua
In summary, Ometepe Island is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an adventure in Nicaragua. This unspoiled gem is one of the most unique places in Central America if not the world, and with such a wide range of things to do in Ometepe, your trip to Nicaragua will not be complete if you do not experience the way of life on this (double) volcanic island.
