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Pro
Very beautiful, very different
Con
none
In a nutshell
Go, go now!
rosequartzlover1 Says: Our group had 2 guides ,Carlos..very good guide and another one was new guide which going to be trained by Carlos today.Both of them are young man age about eary 20.After half way look out the route going into cloud forest atmosphere so there'll be only trees around us...
rosequartzlover1 Says: My guide that promised to come ..not showed up ..I try not to think that being cheated.I contact hotel staff ,they called the man who promised me .After waiting for almost an hour,still no one show up.Ok ..being cheated ..very upset ..yes...I asked hotel to do something for...
rosequartzlover1 Says: Walking to see Petroglyphs on this islands in one of a famous "Things to do" here.There are thousand stone statues and petroglyphs scattered around Isla de Ometepe,show the pre-Columbian past.The earliest dates back about 4,000 years.The archeologist found that early Indian...
rosequartzlover1 Says: These are the pictures of some part of Santo Doming near my hostel area which is between Playa Santo DOmingo and Santa Cruz.We can see local life do some fishing and children play with the wave in the lake using home-made life vest (plastic bottle)...smart.People like to...
Finca Magdalena - Organic Coffee Farm
mircaskirca Says: Finca Magdalena is an organic farm set up on the slopes of Vulcán Maderas, a 20-minute hike uphill from Balgue. The hacienda was built over 120 years ago and it contains two large buildings and several smaller ones. It is part of a working cooperative that produces coffee,...
mircaskirca Says: After cycling north of Playa Santo Domingo for about 2 km I came to the entrance of Ojo de Agua where I left the bicycle. At the entrance you pay 2 US $ (December 2010) and then walk a small trail through corn fields and banana plantations for around 1km until you arrive to...
Exploring the Island by Bicycle
mircaskirca Says: Except for the road between Moyagalpa and Altagracia, most of the roads on Isla de Ometepe are still unpaved. Actually, they are in terrible condition. There aren't many cars but you'll encounter many (mostly local) cyclists and will share it with heards of cattle, horses,...
mircaskirca Says: Situated on the north-eastern side, at the narrow wedge of land that connects the Maderas and Concepción side of the island, Playa Santo Domingo is a 4 km long stretch of gray sand which is said to be one of the prettiest freshwater beaches in Nicaragua. With the...
mircaskirca Says: On the way back from Finca Magdalena to El Porvenir I also wanted to visit Finca Ecologica El Zopilote. It's a permaculture farm located in a quiet place, a 10-minute walk up the trail from the village of El Madroñal, run by a few peace-loving Italians, working with respect...
Moyogalpa - the Getaway to Ometepe
mircaskirca Says: Located on the north-western coast of the island, Moyogalpa is the getaway to Ometepe, via 1-hour ferry ride from San Jorge on the mainland. The name in the Nahuatl language means 'place of the mosquitos'. Not just the ferry terminal, Moyogalpa is the largest village and...
Albergue Ecológico El Porvenir: Tasty Meals with a Great View of Vulcán Concepción
mircaskirca Says: I was staying at Albergue Ecológico El Porvenir and also had several meals there. During the day I was usually away, but in the morning it was very convenient to have breakfast before starting daily activities. The food was served on two separate terraces under thatched...
El Encanto: True Culinary Experience in Peaceful Surroundings
mircaskirca Says: El Canto is an experimental finca (farm) with social, agricultural and tourism projects, located in the community of Santa Cruz, a short walk from the main road. The exceptional location allows you to enjoy some of the most beautiful views on the island. Several petroglyphs...
Natural: Delicious Vegetarian Curries & Healthy Breakfasts
mircaskirca Says: I heard about Natural from my guidebook and decided to give it a try one day when I was cycling back from Ojo de Agua to El Porvenir. Conveniently located right at the entrance to Santo Domingo, it was actually a perfect place for a late lunch. A charming little vegetarian...
Villa Paraíso: Great Breakfast in Breezy Waterfront Restaurant
mircaskirca Says: On my last day on the island I met a friendly American mother and son couple, Kate and David. The next morning they were also leaving for Granada and I was offered to join them. We left El Porvenir early and made a stop for breakfast in Playa Santo Domingo. I told them about...
rosequartzlover1 Says: After paid 10 cd. for port fee ..show the receipt to police or guard who take care of opening and closing the gate.If we pay .. he open the gate .. and close immediatly.(See from the picture)From the second picture you'll see both volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, even...
rosequartzlover1 Says: Normally there will be a bus waiting for passenger at Moyogalpa whenever the boat or ferry arrive.So if you don't want to stay in Moyogalpa,don't waste time...,just follow the local .Almost all of them will take the bus .The bus parking not far from the pier.Driver will honk...
Isla de Ometepe - Granada by Ferry and Car
mircaskirca Says: On a hike back from Finca Magdalena I was offered a lift from a friendly American mother and son couple, Kate and David. Being quite exhausted from a long hike in the heat I excepted. They were looking for accommodation for a night. I told them about the beautiful Finca El...
Helpfulness
Cycling and walking on Ometepe is a great way to explore the island and experience the rural life, in particular the southeastern part, which is mostly unpaved, rutted and muddy. Cars are not frequent and you’ll be on the road with horseback riders, cattle herders, walkers and bikers. It is not unusual to see the whole family riding on the same bike. Passing through the little villages gives an opportunity to observe life of the local people. In rural parts of Ometepe, you’ll see laundry being done on the banks of the river or in a stream, a common meeting place for the village women, and children having fun in the water. I guess their mothers and grandmothers did the same.
Houses are still made of wood, in traditional way, although more and more people have started using concrete to build stronger homes. People make their living mostly by fishing and farming. There are still many traditional family farms on the island. The rich volcanic soil means agriculture here has always been organic, providing abundant crops of avocados, mangoes, maiz, beans, bananas and coffee. The island's inhabitants are very kind people and they might invite you in their homes. And if you want to learn about traditional fishing, tours in a wooden canoe can be organized with local fishermen.
Updated May 20, 2011
hostel Asi Es Mi Tierra and their taxi
mada123 Says: Ometepe Island is a beautiful place and most people are trustworthy and very helpful. However, there have been many cases of theft involving the taxi drivers and the owners of Asi Es Mi Tierra in Balgue at the foot of the Maderas Volcano.Many cameras, cell phones, money, and...
marilena.rossi Says: Hari's Horses in Merida, Altagracia are the best horses I've seen on the island. The best way to really visit Ometepe is on horse back. Hari is german and his horses are all healthy, well fed and shod. I went for a full day ride, started in Merida at the feet of the Madera...
The twin-peaked Isla de Ometepe (Nahuatl for 'two hills'), the largest island in the world found in a freshwater lake, rises out of Lago de Nicaragua. In fact, Ometepe used to be two islands before......
Despite the awful boat trip we had getting to the island it is still worth the visit. The island is like nothing else I have seen before and is a great place to put you feet up and relax.
I travelled to Ometepe during a mission trip, but I still was able to find time for more "touristy" excursions.
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