Hi everyone, can anyone give me a good recommendation for staying on Ometepe for 4 days? Solo 37, happy with dorm or room, would appreciate any special place recommendations?
Many thanks in advance!
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996 results for Ometepe
andrea.523322
On 12/12/17 my husband and I were robbed at knifepoint while visiting Charco Verde reserve on Ometepe Island. We paid $10 each to tour the private reserve. We were finishing up our walk and were less than a minute away from the entrance/gift shop when two young men jumped out from behind a large tree and threatened us. One had a large knife (about 12 inches long) and the other had a large stick similar to a baseball bat. The man with the knife was in front us, and the guy with the bat was behind us, so we had no way to flee. We screamed but were not heard. My husband threw $60 U.S. at them and they ran away toward the beach. During the incident, my husband tripped and badly broke his wrist, which required us to shorten our Nicaragua trip so he could get emergency surgery in the States. He had over 40 breaks to his wrist and is looking at 18 months of recovery.
While my husband was at the Moyogalpa medical clinic getting his arm plastered, I went back to our hostel to pack up. Our host said that the owner of Charco Verde was aware of robberies in the park, and employed a man with a rifle to walk the grounds. We never saw this man, and are very disappointed that the owner did not offer protection given this is a known danger.
Based on our experience, I would caution people against visiting Charco Verde. If you do visit, please only do so in a large group or insist that the owner have a guard accompany you. That day we did not see anyone in the entire reserve except for one maintenance worker raking the beach and the two robbers, so we were an easy target.
1
atz111
Not a whole lot better options. Private car from San Carlos to Granada is about $275...takes 6+ hours. Then Granada to SJDS leg is about $75 and 1.5 hours.....so driving will be a whole day and about $350. Likely the plane will be about the same time with transfers and all....5 hours at least.
No car rental in San Carlos.
Maybe starting in SJDS is better and working back to Ometepe and maybe even Granada first?
1
mrmoto
You might consider using the rental car for north only, and exploring the Estelli region with the car, as its much easier a big time saver.
Leon, Granada and SJDS you don't really need a car to get to them or between them, bus or taxi hire.
SJDS if you are exploring the beaches north and south, (surfing) a rental car is nice, otherwise you have to commute between SJDS and the coastal villages...
Consider beaches near Chinandega or Leon, unless you want to party town like SJDS over run by gringos.
Ometepe if you take a vehicle keep in mind the ferry for vehicles is not very frequent, maybe every 4 hours, and it does not hold many vehicles, so get there way before the departure time to insure a spot on it, like 1.5 hour prior...otherwise taxi to San Jorge and water taxi to Ometepe, and just rent a moped...
Keep in mind you want to allow plenty of time on Corn Islands as you have boat from Big CI to Little CI and vice versa...
Have Fun!
2
bdubbs
Yes I've done Telica but only sunset because it was too active. If possible, I would love to do the overnight. Perhaps I can spend the extra day for this.
I mention Moyogalpa as I thought I could stop somewhere on the way from Maderas back toward the airport. Maaaybe concepcion but I heard it's much harder, and my companion isn't into too intense hiking. Hmm yes Los Gautuzos is of interest to me too but I was looking at staying Sabalos and doing the Indio Maiz and El Castillo tour. Maybe I will re-consider. Thanks.
Oooooh that is a good point that I had definitely not considered! The plan currently puts me on Ometepe on Good Friday and flying to San Carlos on Sunday... do you think that will pose a problem?
1
mrmoto
4 weeks is a nice amount of time to explore all of Nicaragua at a great pace that is not rushed.
You need to divide up the country in sections, due to transport/time issues...
The North is best via a rental car, this allows you to cover a lot of ground and get off the beaten path as bus connections and travels times can be a longs day travel to go short distances.
Then the central/south area can be done with a combo of buses, shuttles or taxi hires.
Granada, Leon, Ometepe and SJDS Pacific area is best via taxi hire IMO. Hire mopeds on Ometepe.
The San Juan River area, San Carlos/El Castillo, is via boats, but getting there is not easy, many fly now to San Carlos.
Corn Islands is best to fly to and from and allow 5-6 days Min due to boat connections from Big Corn to Little Corn.
Get the MOON guidebook for Nicaragua, with 1 month, you can really have a blast i all directions.
READ the Nicaragua branch for al the details, you will then grasp what and where and how.
21
soniaberode
I am a bit surprised about your decision. Have you decided it is too much travel? It really is the best spot for wildlife. If you change your mind go to Los Guatuzos and maybe El Castillo. Fly to San Carlos or take the bus. Contact Cabanas Caiman and they will give you the boat schedule to Los Guatuzos. Plan 3 days for Los Guatuzos: the day you get there and 2 days there. Then, if you want, take the boat back to San Carlos and the fast boat (1.5 hours) to El Castillo. Then back to San Carlos and fly to Ometepe or take the bus to Managua and go to Granada first.
You have 3 weeks so if you do skip the Rio San Juan and you go to Granada and volcano Masaya, volcano Mombacho, Laguna de Apoyo, Chocoyero-El Brujo (good for wildlife), Ometepe, Leon and Las Penitas you would have a week or so left. Consider the northern highlands (Esteli, Matagalpa). I would also consider Jiquilillo instead of Las Penitas.
6
soniaberode
We took a bus from San Carlos to Managua in the morning. It left at 8 am. I believe there was also a bus at 6 am and at noon. We got off at San Benito to go to Matagalpa. It was 6 hours to San Benito. I think it would have been an hour or so more to Managua. In Managua take a taxi to mercado Roberto Huembes for a bus to Rivas. Then a taxi to San Jorge and ferry to Ometepe. Maybe you could go to Granada first and then Ometepe?
By the way, I love Los Guatuzos. Boats go there from San Carlos most days but not daily. Wetlands, rainforest, lots of wildlife. Check out the centro ecologico Los Guatuzos and also Cabanas Caiman (Armando is an excellent guide).
Also, if you would find a flight after all you can fly to Ometepe from San Carlos.
2
soniaberode
"just a bunch of 20-somethings looking to let it all go" That about sums it up.
http://wanderingdawn.com/sunday-funday-in-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua/
If that appeals to you, go for it. I would be off to Leon as well... Or Ometepe. Or the northern highlands. Or the Rio San Juan...