An Ecotourist’s Guide to Nicaragua’s Incomparable Ometepe Island
Oct 25
posted by Dipika Chawla in wildlife, cultural tourism, ecotourism, Biodiversity, Nicaragua | 0 Comments 
The idyllic island of Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes rising proudly out of the seemingly endless blue expanse of Lake Nicaragua, also known as Cocibolca, which means "sweet sea" in the language of the indigenous people. Ometepe garners admiration from Nicaraguan and international travelers alike for its twin volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, its luscious tropical forests, unspoiled beaches, mangroves, and archeological treasures, as well as for the friendly hospitality of the locals. In short, Ometepe is an ecotourist's paradise.
What to do
Not surprisingly, the most popular activity for tourists is hiking the Concepción and Maderas volcanoes. Many visitors hike the forests covering the volcanoes' lower reaches, as hikes to their summits are rather strenuous and can only be done with a guide.
Concepción is the larger, active volcano, often shrouded in clouds, that forms the northwest half of Ometepe Island. The 10-hour climb to the summit is arduous, but ends in a 360-degree view that allows you, on a clear day, to see Nicaragua's Pacific coast on one side and its Caribbean coast on the other.
A nature lover's paradise, Maderas is the dormant volcano that forms the southeast half of the island. The cloud forest covering its slopes is home to number of beautiful and exotic flora and fauna, including howler and capuchin monkeys, a variety of bird species, butterflies, orchids, and more. Much of this side of the island is now a protected nature reserve. The difficult eight hour climb to Maderas' summit will take you to a crater lagoon surrounded by dense forest – an oasis long considered by natives to be a magical and sacred place.
The island is also famous for its number of well-preserved petroglyphs, or ancient rock carvings. Some have been put in museums and private collections available for public viewing, while other intricately carved boulders and statues can still be found scattered among the island's fields and forests.
Other activities include relaxing on one of the dark sand beaches, swimming or kayaking in Lake Nicaragua, hiking to the San Ramon waterfall, visiting the green lagoon of the Charco Verde reserve, and exploring the island by bicycle or on horseback.
How to get there
By far the easiest way of getting to and from the island is the ferry from San Jorge to Moyogalpa, a quiet harbor village on the northwest coast and the largest town on the island. Making four trips daily, the ferry takes about an hour and costs $2-3 USD. Another ferry leaves from Granada and docks at the town of Altagracia on the northeast coast. This ferry, while also inexpensive, takes four hours and makes only two trips per week. Another option is hopping on one of the smaller boats making daily trips to one of the island's ports, but this will take some asking around once you get there.
Where to Stay
Eco-conscious accommodations reign on Ometepe, which was designated in 2010 as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here are four hotels that have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability:
- Hacienda Mérida is located in the small town of Mérida on the west side of Maderas. With affordable yet comfortable accommodations, guests can choose between private rooms ($20/night), dormitory-style accommodations ($6/night), or a camp site ($3/night).
- Hotel Villa Paraíso is in Altagracia, Ometepe's second largest town and port. The hotel itself is on Playa Santo Domingo, which features a sandy beach and some of the most well-developed tourism infrastructure on the island. Cabins start at $49/night while private rooms are $29/night.
- Finca San Juan de la Isla, also in Playa Santo Dominga, is a hotel and tropical fruit tree farm. The restaurant is housed in a restored colonial hacienda. Prices range from $85 for a double room to $125 for a family cabin.
- Totoco Eco-Lodge is located on the northern slope of Maderas, just steps away from the protected cloud forest reserve. Cabins start at $60/night; dormitory accommodations cost $10 per night.
Protecting biodiversity
Ometepe's relative isolation has led to the evolution of many unique plant and animal species. It is also an important site for migratory birds traveling south from North America. Fauna and Flora International has been working on Ometepe since 2005 to protect the island's precious wildlife in the face of the developing tourist and agricultural industries. Learn more about FFI's work on their website.
