The Isla de Ometepe Biosphere Reserve has an area of 276 km², 31 kilometers long and approximately 10 kilometers wide. Considered the largest island in the world, located in the Great Lake of Nicaragua. It is made up of the protected areas Concepción Volcano Natural Reserve, Maderas Volcano National Park and the Peña Inculta Humedal Istián Wildlife Refuge.
It was named by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and natural wonder for its exuberant nature, beautiful beaches, landscapes, varied flora and exotic birds, archaeological wealth and traditions. The name of the island derives from the Nahuatl ome "two" and tepetl "mountain", place of two mountains; since it is made up of the cones of two volcanoes: the Concepción volcano and the Maderas volcano.
Its population amounts to 42,000 people. The most important population centers are Moyogalpa and Altagracia, which are also the two main access ports to the island from the cities of Granada, San Carlos and San Jorge.
The range of altitudes on the Island (up to 1,610 meters), combined by its position between the Pacific coast and the humid Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, allow the existence of two climatic zones: Sub Tropical transition to humid and Montane transition to humid, where you find the main types of habitats in the country.
Tourist attractions
El Ceibo Museum
El Ceibo Museum
It is located within the Hacienda El Refugio, 15 minutes from Moyogalpa. It has the most complete collection of coins that have circulated in Nicaragua, from Cacao to Córdoba. In this museum you can also learn more about the political history of our country through its 5 well-appointed rooms.
There are also more than 1500 pieces of ceramic, gold, flint, oxidian and jade on display; where you can find an immense variety of pieces from the Orosi period, ceramics of one color, older than 300-500 years before Christ; relics from other periods such as vessels painted in three colors, 300-800 years after Christ; or the sapóa pottery with drawings and figures in various colors, and moon pottery from the Ometepe period 1350 to 1550 after Christ.
Point Jesus Maria
Located 5 km. From Moyogalpa following the cobbled road towards Altagracia there is a small peninsula or water inlet towards the lake called Punta Jesús María. This natural attraction extends up to 1 km in dry seasons. It is an interesting experience since the waves occur on both sides of this beautiful stretch of sand.
Santo Domingo Beach
Santo Domingo Beach
White sand beaches?? Siii !!!, Ometepe Island also has beautiful beaches with very good quality hotels, located on the isthmus of the island near Altagracia. Also on these beaches you can practice water sports such as wind surfing, appreciate the biodiversity of the island by walking through the Cabuya Forest to the south or crossing the Istián River to the east.
green puddle
One of the most visited destinations and has one of the best hotels in Ometepe. Located within the Charco Verde Nature Reserve. Said Reserve has many legends and very interesting places such as its forest, its trails, its lagoon and its beaches. You can climb El Mirador del Diablo and contemplate the view of the entire reserve and the lagoon, you can also relax or take a kayak ride on its calm and crystalline beach, which is one of the best on the entire island.
visit him
Own vehicle: If you are traveling from Managua, you must take the South Pan-American Highway, until you reach the Rivas roundabout-junction, where you must turn east to the port of San Jorge to embark for Moyogalpa.
Public transport: In Managua, the bus terminal to Rivas is located in the Huembes market. The price of the ticket ranges between 40 and 50 córdobas, depending on the service you want, whether express or regular. The schedule is wide and varied, with scheduled departures every hour from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. Once in Rivas, you can hire a taxi that will take you to the port of San Jorge to embark on the island of Ometepe.
