The Ometepe ferry is a truly memorable, not to be forgotten experience and, for many visitors, one of the highlights of their holiday to Nicaragua.
First off, the following guidance isn’t directed at everyone….
Beyond The Ordinary is a full service tour operator that specializes in tailor made holidays to Nicaragua, with all accommodation, transport and guide services taken care of. As such, our clients don’t need to worry about getting to and from the ferry, buying tickets etc; all that is taken care of by us.
Where does the Ometepe ferry operate from and to?
On the mainland, the Ometepe ferry operates from the small town of San Jorge, located on the western shores of Lake Nicaragua. The larger town of Rivas is a 10 minute drive away.
From San Jorge, the majority of ferry services operate to Moyogalpa on the north west of Ometepe. Less frequent, less convenient services head to San Jose further north but are seldom used by us.
Journey time depends on weather conditions (ie wind direction and strength, how choppy the lake is) but around 80 minutes is somewhat typical. At times, it feels as if you could walk faster than the ferry chuggs across the lake.
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Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Nicaragua. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
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What to expect from the Ometepe ferry experience?
First off, clients will be dropped off just outside the ferry terminal in San Jorge where they will be met by their guide from Ometepe. The guide will then buy tickets for the ferry (there is nothing remotely modern or digital about this experience) before you pass through security and walk to the boat – the guide can help with luggage but there is only so much he can carry. Luggage with wheels is the way to go here.
The ferry itself looks around 50 years old. That might be flattering. The lower deck is for vehicles and passengers, the floor above provides indoor passenger seating while the ferry’s top deck provides open air passenger seating. If you want to enjoy the open air experience, you can leave your luggage with the guide who will stay in the lower seating section. Not all the ferries are exactly the same but some have a small kiosk selling snacks, coffee, soft drinks and even beer.
On arrival in Moyogalpa, you will again disembark by foot and meet up with your driver who will be parked around 100 metres from the ferry.
Can’t I just fly to Ometepe?
While there is a tiny, wonderfully picturesque airfield on Ometepe (the road around the island crosses the runway), flights to and from the island are currently suspended with no indication from Costena Airlines as to when or even if they will resume.
How about catching the boat from Granada?
While, in the past, there have been scheduled ferry journeys between Granada & Ometepe, services are currently sporadic and unreliable. Small passenger boat services have also been launched more recently but, again, there are question marks surrounding the reliability of the service.
Incorporating the Ometepe ferry into a Nicaragua holiday
San Jorge, from where clients catch the ferry to Ometepe, is an approximate 80 minute drive south from Granada, Nicaragua’s number one tourist draw. Heading west and south west, it is a broadly similar length of drive from San Jorge to the beach resorts of Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast around the Emerald Coast & San Juan del Sur.
For a more detailed insight into incorporating Ometepe into a Nicaragua holiday, check out our sample, 2 weeks Classic Nicaragua itinerary.
