Isla de Ometepe

Introducing Isla de Ometepe

Nicaragua's dramatic candidate for 'Eighth Wonder of the World, ' Isla de Ometepe is exquisite: two volcanic peaks rise from the hazy blue expanse of Cocibolca, 'the Sweet Sea' (Lago de Nicaragua), and form an hourglass of beaches and jungles cinched to a sinuous isthmus between them.

It seems unsullied, and spectacularly so, protected from so many of the world's follies, including a lot of tourist infrastructure, by a cool, clean moat. But it's most certainly worth roughing it a bit to see primary forests trade off with organic farms in the folds of the volcanoes' fertile skirts, teeming with howler monkeys and parrots, and hiding a wealth of archaeological treasures.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009