HOW TO REACH OMETEPE ISLAND

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Private Vehicle

Reaching Ometepe is easy because there is an excellent paved highway to the city of Rivas to San Jorge. If traveling in a private vehicle from Managua, take the Pan-American Highway south to the Rivas traffic circle / crossroads, and then turn north toward the port at San Jorge to embark for Moyogalpa, a municipality on the island. If traveling from Peñas Blancas, continue north on the highway to the same crossroads in Rivas.

Interurban Bus

In Managua, the bus terminal for Rivas is found in Huembes Market in the eastern sector of the city. Bus fare ranges between C$40.00 and C$50.00 (USD$3.00 and USD$4.00), depending on the service level desired (regular or express). The schedule for buses traveling the 120 kilometers to Rivas is extensive and varied, with departures ever half hour from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Another option is to take the buses traveling to the border at Peñas Blancas and tell the bus driver or assistant that you would like to get off in the city of Rivas to connect with the port at San Jorge.

Once in Rivas, you can hire a taxi for less than a dollar for the short trip to the port at San Jorge. If you plan to reach Ometepe Island after entering Nicaragua from Costa Rica on an international bus line, we recommend that you tell the driver of your desire to stop in the city of Rivas. Almost all international bus lines that leave San José or northern areas of Costa Rica in the morning —such as Ticabus, Transnica and Central Line— arrive in time for connections with the ferries departing for Ometepe.

By Water

Administered by the National Port Management Company, the port at San Jorge has a pier and mooring for small- and medium-sized vessels, a warehouse and two large parking areas (one covered and the other open) with 24-hour security and surveillance, where you can park your vehicle during your visit to the island.

Two types of vessels moor to the pier: vessels exclusively for commercial cargo and dual-purpose vessels carrying cargo and passengers. Small vessels such as the Reina del Sur and Karen María provide services for passengers, cargo and small vehicles (such as motorcycles and ATVs), whereas medium vessels such as ferries 1 and 2 and the Estrella del Sur offer cargo for cars and trucks; differentiated services on three separate decks, with air-conditioning, reclining seats and bathrooms.

Fares range between C$40.00 and C$60.00 (USD$2.50 and USD$3.50) per person, depending on the class of service selected.

If you love adventure and want to drive on the island, you may board your vehicle on the medium-sized vessels for C$365.00 (approximately USD$20.00).

To do so, upon arrival at the port you must ask the dispatcher to notify the captain about your intent to board your vehicle. However, it is difficult to find space during heavy tourist seasons and harvest times. We recommend that you make reservations in advance by calling 278 8190/80 and/or sending an email to gerencia@transportelacustre.com

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From the city of Granada

Another option for reaching the island of Ometepe is via the city of Granada. A boat leaves from the municipal pier of Granada (north of the city along the lakefront or malecón) on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m., arriving at the Puerto de Gracias pier in the municipality of Altagracia at 6:00 p.m.