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Ometepe ferry, travel info
Submitted by RSJGringita on Mon, 2009/03/30 - 20:18.
Hola a todos - a friend and I are doing our Costa Rica visa renewal run up to Nicaragua after Semana Santa. We're planning on heading out to Ometepe for a few days. Does anyone know the current ferry schedule from San Jorge?
Also, I know there's lots of information on here already, but I'd welcome any up-to-date and/or insider tips on good places to stay (we typically like cute, clean places in the $20-40/night range), visit, eat, etc. I want to climb one of the two volcanoes - which do you recommend?
Gracias!
Ometepe
In Moyogalpa, my choice is the American, with huge, very clean $20 rooms. Unless it's really hot, since they have no A/C. I haven't yet found clean Moyogalpa lodging with A/C.
I'll second the recommendation of La Omaja. Beautiful. Fairly isolated, though, so best if you have your own transportation. Charco Verde is also nice, but still somewhat isolated.
In the dry season, I'll probably try renting a scooter next time. Easier than a motorcycle (which I haven't tried). Taxis are so expensive on the island. Bus service is ok (except Sundays), but is time-consuming. Bicycle rentals would also be an option if I were going to stay in one place most of the time.
Ometepe
El Encanto at Santa Cruz (crossroads to Merida/Balgue) has nice rooms and good food (goelencanto.com). There is a great hike to a fabulous mirador from El Porvenir -- about an hour up the trail to the top of Volcan Maderas. El Porvenir is close to El Encanto on the road to Merida.
In addition to the ferries and lanchas from San Jorge to Moyagalpa, there is a new ferry operated by the alcaldia of Altagracia that has two daily runs from San Jorge to San Jose, on the island just across the line dividing the alcaldias of Moyagalpa and Altagracia. Morning run is (I think 9:15 and there is a late run at about 6 or 6:30). The new ferry is an enormous new-ish dutch boat (called El Rey de Cocibolca) and even the bathroom graffiti is in dutch.
This is the right season to hike the volcanoes. Both hikes are intense. I hear your sneakers melt on the hike up Concepcion, an active volcano. that hike is very exposed. The Maderas hike takes you into the cloud forest, another world, and to the lagoon at the top. You need to hire a local guide (choose one licensed by UGO -union de guias Ometepe)-- for good reasons it is illegal to hike to the top without a guide. the hike up to the mirador doesn't require a guide.
Ometepe
El Encanto at Santa Cruz (crossroads to Merida/Balgue) has nice rooms and good food (goelencanto.com). There is a great hike to a fabulous mirador from El Porvenir -- about an hour up the trail to the top of Volcan Maderas. El Porvenir is close to El Encanto on the road to Merida.
In addition to the ferries and lanchas from San Jorge to Moyagalpa, there is a new ferry operated by the alcaldia of Altagracia that has two daily runs from San Jorge to San Jose, on the island just across the line dividing the alcaldias of Moyagalpa and Altagracia. Morning run is (I think 9:15 and there is a late run at about 6 or 6:30). The new ferry is an enormous new-ish dutch boat (called El Rey de Cocibolca) and even the bathroom graffiti is in dutch.
This is the right season to hike the volcanoes. Both hikes are intense. I hear your sneakers melt on the hike up Concepcion, an active volcano. that hike is very exposed. The Maderas hike takes you into the cloud forest, another world, and to the lagoon at the top. You need to hire a local guide (choose one licensed by UGO -union de guias Ometepe)-- for good reasons it is illegal to hike to the top without a guide. the hike up to the mirador doesn't require a guide.
Ometepe
El Encanto at Santa Cruz (crossroads to Merida/Balgue) has nice rooms and good food (goelencanto.com). There is a great hike to a fabulous mirador from El Porvenir -- about an hour up the trail to the top of Volcan Maderas. El Porvenir is close to El Encanto on the road to Merida.
In addition to the ferries and lanchas from San Jorge to Moyagalpa, there is a new ferry operated by the alcaldia of Altagracia that has two daily runs from San Jorge to San Jose, on the island just across the line dividing the alcaldias of Moyagalpa and Altagracia. Morning run is (I think 9:15 and there is a late run at about 6 or 6:30). The new ferry is an enormous new-ish dutch boat (called El Rey de Cocibolca) and even the bathroom graffiti is in dutch.
This is the right season to hike the volcanoes. Both hikes are intense. I hear your sneakers melt on the hike up Concepcion, an active volcano. that hike is very exposed. The Maderas hike takes you into the cloud forest, another world, and to the lagoon at the top. You need to hire a local guide (choose one licensed by UGO -union de guias Ometepe)-- for good reasons it is illegal to hike to the top without a guide. the hike up to the mirador doesn't require a guide.
SORRY
about the multiple postings!!!!! Got no reaction when I hit submit so I did it again -- 4 times I guess!! I know, patience, patience
Ometepe
El Encanto at Santa Cruz (crossroads to Merida/Balgue) has nice rooms and good food (goelencanto.com). There is a great hike to a fabulous mirador from El Porvenir -- about an hour up the trail to the top of Volcan Maderas. El Porvenir is close to El Encanto on the road to Merida.
In addition to the ferries and lanchas from San Jorge to Moyagalpa, there is a new ferry operated by the alcaldia of Altagracia that has two daily runs from San Jorge to San Jose, on the island just across the line dividing the alcaldias of Moyagalpa and Altagracia. Morning run is (I think 9:15 and there is a late run at about 6 or 6:30). The new ferry is an enormous new-ish dutch boat (called El Rey de Cocibolca) and even the bathroom graffiti is in dutch.
This is the right season to hike the volcanoes. Both hikes are intense. I hear your sneakers melt on the hike up Concepcion, an active volcano. that hike is very exposed. The Maderas hike takes you into the cloud forest, another world, and to the lagoon at the top. You need to hire a local guide (choose one licensed by UGO -union de guias Ometepe)-- for good reasons it is illegal to hike to the top without a guide. the hike up to the mirador doesn't require a guide.
for that price
I highly recommend Estacion Biologica San Ramon,the trail to Volcan Madera's waterfall originates there. Their food is Excellent!!! Tell them Felix Sent you,they'll either will give you a discount or charge you more lol.
Ometepe ferry
I went to Ometepe in Jan.08, Seemed like ferrys were leaving on a fairly regular basis, maybe even hourly. Just show up the wait was never long going in either direction. I based myself in Moyagalpa at the Hotel Central,very decent place good food and bar with clean rooms for about us9.00 per night. Getting around on Ometepe can be challenging. Taxis are expensive and buses seem to be few and far between.I ended up renting a motorcycle for a day and managed to see most of the island in a short time. There are lots of very nice places to stay on the beach etc. but my feeling was once your there you could end up stuck there. The Ojo de agua is a great place for lunch and an afternoon swim and the trip up to Finca Magdelena is worth it for the view alone. By the way..thanks for your input on the RSJ some time back.My trip in Jan to El Castillo was fantastic ! John
my dos centavos
The Hotel La Omaja near Merida. La Omaja has great views, good food, and private casitas. Located right on a hiking trail up the volcan, also has a swimming dock on the lake and is walking distance to the waterfall at San Ramon.. http://www.laomaja.com/
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