How to get to Ometepe
The ferry from San Jorge to Moyogalpa, then about an hour by road to Mérida, Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua.
Ferry
From San Jorge to Moyogalpa takes about an hour. Departures are frequent, with fewer on Sundays. The lake is roughest roughly from November to February. Confirm ferry times locally, because schedules change.
From Moyogalpa to Mérida
About an hour by road. Roads toward Mérida are partly unpaved and bumpy.
Getting around
There is little public transport in Mérida, so arrange a taxi or a scooter with Noldan. Noldan can arrange a taxi from the port or anywhere in Nicaragua.
Cash
Island ATMs can't be counted on, so bring cash, and more than you think you'll need.
Season
The driest months are about February to April. Rains start around May. Maderas can be harder in the wet months, and San Ramón is fullest in the wet months.
Common questions
How long is the ferry from San Jorge to Moyogalpa?
About an hour.
How do I get from Moyogalpa to Mérida?
About an hour by road, on partly unpaved roads.
Is there public transport in Mérida?
Very little. Ask Noldan for a taxi or a scooter.
Where can I get cash on Ometepe?
Bring it with you.
When is the lake roughest?
November to February, roughly.
When is the driest time to visit?
February to April.
Before you go
Ferry
Boats cross daily from San Jorge to Moyogalpa in about an hour, roughly from 7:00 to 17:45, with the last one back around 17:30. Sundays are thinner and times change, so confirm locally. Only cars and trucks need a reservation.
Cash
Bring cash, and more than you think you'll need, because most guides, comedores and small places take cash only. Island ATMs can't be counted on, so get your cash on the mainland.
When to come
Roads get muddy in the rains, which is also when the San Ramón waterfall is at its fullest. Late in the dry season the waterfall can be weak.
How long to stay
A suggestion: three or four nights gives you a volcano day, a water day and a slow day. Many travelers stay longer.
Health
Protection against mosquitoes matters here. The CDC reports a chikungunya outbreak in Nicaragua, and dengue is present, so ask your doctor about vaccines. Drink bottled water. After heavy rain, stay out of the lake and don't swallow its water.
Before you travel
Check your own government's travel advice, and have a passport valid for at least six months. Leave the drone and night-vision gear at home, and keep your phone free of political content, because devices may be checked. Canada advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua.
What to pack
Proper hiking shoes, a headlamp, repellent, sunscreen and a long-sleeved sun shirt, plus a power bank for the occasional outage. A waterproof phone pouch is handy for kayak days.
Roads on the Maderas side
Roads around Mérida are gravel, so a motorbike or ATV handles them better than a scooter. Try to be back before dark, since some stretches have little or no lighting.