What better place to start writing about my three days on Ometepe than at Ojo de Agua, a gorgeous swimming hole, 40 minutes walk from my hostel. According to the man at the entrance, the mineral water will leave me looking ten years younger. I'd be happy with two years.
Sitting in Lake Nicaragua, Isla de Ometepe was formed from the lava flows of two volcanos joining together. The name Ometepe means two hills and these two hills are the volcanoes Maderas (1394m) and active Concepcion (1610m). The journey from Granada to my hostel in Santa Cruz Ometepe took all morning and was a combination of chicken bus, taxi, ferry and mini bus. Easy!
There is a lot to do on the island, mostly outdoors. One morning I went kayaking down Rio Istiam, the river that goes through the middle of the island. I was joined by Ingrid, a 73 year old German woman who I had met on the chicken bus from Granada. We were promised caiman, monkeys and turtles and although it was nothing on the Bolivian Pampas, we did see them all.
There is a lot to do on the island, mostly outdoors. One morning I went kayaking down Rio Istiam, the river that goes through the middle of the island. I was joined by Ingrid, a 73 year old German woman who I had met on the chicken bus from Granada. We were promised caiman, monkeys and turtles and although it was nothing on the Bolivian Pampas, we did see them all.
Two activities on the island are hikes up Maderas (8 hours) and Concepcion (12 hours). After Ometepe I'm heading to Leon to climb Tilica, a volcano with lava. Because I've planned this, the idea of climbing up the volcanos here didn't really appeal. All everyone reports is that you just see clouds and that the walk up is just so tough its not worth it. I love a good view though so did do the two hour return hike up to the mirador, or lookout, on Maderas. The view of Concepcion is incredible.
Ometepe has a population of 42,000 but I don't know where all these people are. The island seems deserted and wandering down the roads only the odd truck, bus or backpacker on a bike passes. It's very tranquillo. There are cows, dogs, pigs and chickens lingering around.
There are two main towns, Altagracias and Moyogalpa where the ferry arrives. I chose to stay in Santa Cruz which is right in between the two volcanoes. There are literally less than ten houses/restaurants/shacks in Santa Cruz. Most people who visit the island hire push bikes or motorbikes. I thought I would do that but ended up actually walking everywhere. On my last afternoon I hitchhiked on the back of a motorbike to my favourite cafe, Cafe Campestre, where I had the beetroot and chocolate cake I had been craving for days.
You could easily spend a week on Ometepe, doing hikes, cycling around the island and discovering more swimming holes and beaches. I was really happy with my three days but it was time to head to Leon, in search for lava!
There are two main towns, Altagracias and Moyogalpa where the ferry arrives. I chose to stay in Santa Cruz which is right in between the two volcanoes. There are literally less than ten houses/restaurants/shacks in Santa Cruz. Most people who visit the island hire push bikes or motorbikes. I thought I would do that but ended up actually walking everywhere. On my last afternoon I hitchhiked on the back of a motorbike to my favourite cafe, Cafe Campestre, where I had the beetroot and chocolate cake I had been craving for days.
You could easily spend a week on Ometepe, doing hikes, cycling around the island and discovering more swimming holes and beaches. I was really happy with my three days but it was time to head to Leon, in search for lava!