Ometepe is one of the most special places Nicaragua has to offer. I’ve seen many beautiful places around the world in my life so far, but Ometepe ranks high on the list. During our 7 week stay at Waves & Wifi Coliving in Popoyo, Nicaragua, we decided to take a few days off and plan a long weekend trip to Ometepe.
We decided to do the entire trip by scooter, as we already had one rented in Popoyo and knew we would need one once arriving on the island. Travelling by scooter also gives you much more flexibility when it comes to stops and activities on Ometepe.
Read more about my coliving experience at Waves & Wifi Coliving in Popoyo!
This free guide covers a long weekend DIY road trip from Popoyo to Ometepe by scooter, including the ferry experience, prices, and the five best things to do in Ometepe. We left Popoyo on a Thursday at 9 am and returned on Sunday at around 3 pm.
About Ometepe & the best time to visit
Ometepe is a volcanic island located in Lake Nicaragua, formed by two impressive volcanoes: Volcán Concepción and Volcán Maderas. The island is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which explains the incredible biodiversity you’ll find here.
The best time to visit Ometepe is during the dry season from November to April. This is when roads are easier to drive and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking are more enjoyable. During the rainy season, the island becomes incredibly lush, but some roads can be muddy. In general, the main roads surrounding the island are mostly paved.
How to Get From Popoyo to Ometepe
The whole journey from Popoyo to Ometepe is quite an adventure, as it includes a ferry ride from the port town of San Jorge near Rivas to Moyogalpa on Ometepe Island. Door-to-door, from Waves & Wifi in Popoyo to our accommodation in Balgue on Ometepe, took us around 4 hours.
Popoyo to San Jorge/Rivas by scooter
We left Popoyo at 9.30 am and arrived at the port in Rivas at 11.45 am. There are options to refuel your motorcycle on Ometepe, but if you have time it’s better to fill up again in Rivas at one of the main gas stations instead. Fuel is cheaper there and it allows you to travel all the way to your final destination without worrying about running low.
The ride from Popoyo is pretty straight forward and all roads are well paved. In 2026 there were some roadworks between Tola and Popoyo, so it’s better to drive via Las Salinas/Ochomogo. Overall, the ride itself is already part of the adventure and a great way to see the Nicaraguan countryside.
Ferry from San Jorge to Ometepe
There are a multiple ferries running daily from San Jorge (Rivas) to Ometepe. The ferry ride takes around one hour. Some ferries can carry vehicles such as cars and scooters. If you plan to bring your scooter to Ometepe, you cannot pre-book tickets in advance. Instead, you simply buy your ticket at the port. Once you arrive at the port, staff will direct you where to go. Check the San Jorge – Ometepe ferry schedule here. The ferries are the ones that can take scooters.
Once you arrive at the port, people will tell you where to go. First, you pay the port fee (~37 NIO), and then buy your ferry tickets. The ferry ticket was 50 NIO per person and per scooter. On top of that you need to pay a scooter tax, which was something between 50 and 150 NIO. With a total of 337 NIO (roughly 8 €), the ride is surprisingly affordable, especially considering you can bring your own vehicle. In comparison: a taxi from Popoyo to Rivas costs around 40-50 USD one way.
Arriving on Ometepe
Once you arrive on Moyogalpa, the rest of the journey pretty much depends on the location of your accommodation. I highly recommend staying around Balgue area, which is about one hour by scooter. Balgue has many beautiful guesthouses and restaurants, which is why we loved staying there.
FAQ: Is this route suitable for a scooter?
Yes! And I highly recommend doing it by scooter. You won’t be able to explore much of Ometepe without your own transport, and a scooter gives you the freedom to stop wherever you like. We did the entire trip with two people on one automatic scooter (Honda Zoomer) and had no issues at all. The only downside is that your bum might start hurting after a while, but you can always take breaks for little stretches.
We didn’t encounter any police checkpoints on this route, but as always in Nicaragua, make sure to wear a helmet and carry your license.
The journey from Popoyo to Ometepe was so beautiful. The roads were all paved and good to drive on. We saw the countryside of mainland Nicaragua before the two volcanoes of Ometepe slowly appeared on the horizon. distance. Riding around Ometepe itself was spectacular – the nature there is simply amazing.
The 5 Best Things To Do in Ometepe
Ometepe has a lot to offer and is the perfect destination if you enjoy nature, outdoor activities, and adventure. We could easily have stayed longer! You should plan at least three days in Ometepe to make the most of your visit.
1. Take a Kitesurfing Lesson
Ometepe is a great spot for kitesurfing. Strong winds and calm waters create ideal conditions both for beginners and experienced riders (and windsurfing too). My partner and I took a 3 hour lesson with Kitesurf Ometepe, which was amazing. We had taken a few lessons before, so our aim was to improve our skills. If you have more time, you could even take lessons every day for a week and really progress! Experienced kitesurfers can also rent equipment and enjoy the bay independently.
At around 160 USD for three hours, learning how to kitesurf in Ometepe is quite affordable compared to other countries. And the conditions are beautiful for it too. I mean, kitesurfing while looking at volcanoes is something pretty special.
Location: Kitesurf Ometepe is located at the strip connecting the two islands. It’s only around 5 to 10 minutes from Balgue by scooter.
2. Hike to Cascada Ramón
Ometepe offers several lovely hikes. We were deciding between hiking one of the volcanoes or visiting Cascada Ramón, a beautiful waterfall on the slopes of Volcano Maderas. My honest opinion: If you’re REALLY into hiking and want a full-day challenge, you should hike one of the volcanoes. However, there’s always a chance that the summit will be covered in clouds. It can also get super hot and sunny.
For a shorter adventure, Cascada Ramón is a fantastic option. The overall hiking time was around 3 hours return. You pay a small entrance fee of 3 USD per person and can drive up your scooter to the parking area. The road up includes some sandy and rocky sections, but our Honda Zoomer made it all the way up the top. Alternatively, you can rent an ATV or walk. Walking however, adds several extra kilometers uphill.
The hike itself was beautiful. We walked through jungle with views over the lake. At the end of the trail, the waterfall awaits, perfect for cooling down after the hike. I’ve seen quite a few waterfalls in my life, and Cascada Ramon is definitely one of the best! We spent a good 30 minutes at the waterfalls. Most of the hike from the parking lot onwards is in the shade.
Extra advice: Combine your visit with a drive through ‘Old Ometepe’. If you’re coming from Balgue, instead of going via Mérida, take the road through San Pedro. This will give you a glimpse of what Ometepe was like years ago.
3. Go kayaking on Lake Nicaragua
Ometepe is paradise for bird and wildlife enthusiasts. One of the best ways to see some of the habitants is by kayak. You can either join a sunrise or sunset tour to look for wildlife. The kayaking takes place in the wetlands between the two volcanoes. early morning or sunset tours, and explore the little area connecting both islands. A 2-hour kayaking trip usually costs around 20 USD per person.
We chose a 7 am tour, and it was incredible. It was just us and our guide. The sounds surrounding us and seeing the sun peak out behind the clouds was magical. We saw many birds and even a Caiman crocodile. I can highly recommend doing your trip with “Bird Watching Kayaking Tour Biometepe”. These guys did a great job, and the fact that the groups are kept small and they go out during less crowded times, makes your trip very special. Our kayaking tour was a lot about spotting animals, less about exercising. The trip doesn’t require a lot of fitness.
Extra advice: Go kayaking either in the morning or around sunset. This is when the bird world is most active. In the mornings you benefit from more shade, in the evenings you can watch the sun setting over Lake Nicaragua.
4. Enjoy the local cuisine & chocolate
Ometepe is not only paradise for nature lovers but also foodies. There are so many good restaurants on the island, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options! Here are a few of my highlights:
- El Pital: Chocolate Paradise. Literally. With the most amazing terrace overlooking the Volcán Concepción. And a lot of other very good food.
- Maíz: The best place for homemade tacos.
- Pan de Mama: How does bagels and coffee for breakfast sound?
- The Local’s Collective: The most authentic local food you can have. Eating here directly supports to the local community.
5. Join a yoga class
Yoga classes on Ometepe hit different. Many yoga shalas around Balgue offer incredible views of Volcán Concepción. There’s quite a few of yoga studios and classes to choose from. I joined a class at Totoco Eco Resort, located on a hill about ten minutes from Balgue by scooter. You can drive all the way up. The view was INSANE!
Where to stay in Ometepe
There’s a lot of lovely guesthouses and hostels in Ometepe. I really enjoyed staying in Balgue area, mainly because my top priority is to be close to good restaurants and cafés. It’s also a convenient location for most activities.
We stayed in a small wood cabin, Cabana Maderas, surrounded by mango trees. It had a private kitchen, lots of space, and a cute resident cat.
Here are a few other places travellers recommend:
- El Pital Hotel & Hostel (you can wake up next to chocolate basically)
- El Zopilote hostel
Extra advice: The further your accommodation is from the main road, the more difficult the drive might be. If you are not experienced on a scooter or don’t have one, I recommend not to book too far away from the main road.
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Tips for Your Popoyo to Ometepe Trip
1 Don’t worry about fuel
There are small stalls around Ometepe selling bottles of gasoline. You can usually find them on Google Maps. We fully refueled in Rivas before going to Ometepe, and again when returning to the mainland. During our four-day stay on the island we only refueled once.
2 Take care of yourself
The sun in Nicaragua is extremely strong! Especially when doing the full scooter trip from Popoyo to Ometepe, make sure to protect your skin. Four hours in direct sun can be intense. We wore long sleeves on the long journeys, and always had SPF50+ with us. I also recommend bringing sneakers for the motorbike journey and the hikes, as well as plenty of water.
3 Enjoy the nature
Ometepe is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and yourself. Maybe visiting the island is your chance to disconnect from daily life, put the phone away, and fully appreciate the beauty around you.
Final thoughts
On our final day, after the kayaking tour, we headed back to the ferry port and caught one of the many ferries back to the mainland. After a total of four hours we were back at our Waves & Wifi home in Popoyo.
All in all, we loved our long weekend in Ometepe. It’s truly one of the best places I’ve ever visited and should never be skipped on a backpacking trip to Nicaragua. From the food to the nature and activities, it was the perfect getaway. Even more fun, to do it with our own little Popoyo bike.
As I always like to add in my posts:
Bring nothing but an open mind, be respectful and friendly, leave nothing but footprints.
