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Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe never fails to impress. Its twin volcanic peaks ('fire' and 'water'), rising up out of Lago de Nicaragua, have captured the imagination of everyone from precolonial Aztecs (who thought they’d found the promised land) to Mark Twain (who waxed lyrical about it in his book Travels with Mr Brown) – not to mention the relatively few travelers who make it out here. The island’s fertile volcanic soil, clean waters, wide beaches, wildlife population, off-the-beaten track farmstays, archaeological sites and dramatic profile are quickly propelling it up traveler must-see lists.

More than 1700 petroglyphs have been found on Ometepe, making this a DIY archeologists' fantasy island.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Isla de Ometepe.

  • See

    Volcán Maderas

    Climbing this 1394m volcano is challenging but worthwhile. Guides are required for the seven- to eight-hour round-trip trek (with four to five hours of climbing); at the top, you’ll reach cloud forest ending with a steep crater descent to a chilly jade-green lake. There are three trails to the top: the most popular at Finca Magdelena and two slightly longer trails beginning at Hacienda Mérida and Finca El Porvenir. The Finca Magdalena trail offers the money shot of Volcán Concepción.

  • See

    Volcán Concepción

    This massive (and active) volcano is an Ometepe landmark. The seven- to 10-hour hike up loose volcanic stone to the summit of this looming peak can be tough, so be in good physical condition and bring water, snacks and real hiking shoes. Most hikes leave from either Moyogalpa or Altagracia. Remember that there's no shade above the tree line, it's even steeper than it looks, and it can get windy and cold at the top, particularly if it's cloudy out.

  • See

    Museos El Ceibo

    The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road, Museo Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Museum) displays an excellent collection of more than 1500 pieces of ceramics, metates, funeral urns and jewelry, spanning the different civilizations from all around the island, and some over 5000 years old. The museums are located 2km down a shady lane off the main road, about halfway between Esquipulas and San José del Sur.

  • See

    Cascada San Ramón

    This stunning 40m waterfall is one of the jewels of the island. The 3.7km trail begins at the Estación Biológica de Ometepe. You can drive 2.2km up to the parking area, from where it’s a 30- to 40-minute hike up to the waterfall, with a steep scramble near the end. At the top, the cascade tumbles down a sheer, mossy rock face into a cold pool that's fabulous for a dip on a hot day.

  • See

    Reserva Charco Verde

    Rich with wildlife and fringed with black-sand beaches, this wooded ecological reserve is a quiet spot for hiking, birdwatching and taking a dip in the lake. There are three trails, totalling 4km in length; a flat one suitable for wheelchairs and two more strenuous ones. You're likely to have them mostly to yourself and are likely to spot monkeys and a plethora of birds. The enchanted city of Chico Largo is said to lie beneath the Laguna Charco Verde.

  • See

    Punta Jesus Maria

    Just outside the town of Esquipulas, this well-signed sand spit stretches out into the lake for more than 1km at the height of the dry season, when lake levels drop to reveal what was once a natural dock for indigenous fishers. It’s still used the same way today. It's also a delightful spot for swimming.

  • See

    Isla Grande

    Close to Altagracia, this island, basically a plantain finca (farm) gone feral, is rarely visited despite being a fantastic place for birdwatching. If you’re interested, you could certainly arrange a custom trip – ask at your hotel.

  • See

    Museo de Ometepe

    The village's main attraction is this museum packed with information (in Spanish) about the island. (Though you’ll find a much more comprehensive collection at the Museos El Ceibo.) Non-Spanish speakers will still appreciate the scale model of the volcanoes, as well as funerary urns, metates, stone sculptures, petroglyphs and lots of pottery that is all thoughtfully displayed as part of a timeline.

  • See

    Monoliths

    A place to see some of the finest remaining ancient excavated statues on Ometepe is beside the Altagracia church, close to the Parque Central, where a handful of softly eroding monoliths still stand sentry.

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