Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
23
Café Isabel
B5
A4
Activities
Many of the island's tourist attractions are hard to find or even a bit dangerous - take that
active volcano, for example. Sometimes it's just worth hiring a guide.
The island's two volcanoes can be ascended from Moyogalpa or Altagracia for Volcán
Concepción, and Fincas Magdelena, El Porvenir and Hacienda Mérida for Volcán Mader-
as. The uphill slog to Cascada San Ramón, more a walk than a hike, also makes for an ex-
cellent day trip. Relatively less challenging hikes abound, including to the halfway point
up Maderas on the Finca Magdalena trail, and
Tour al Floral
(guide per person US$10)
, a
five-hour round trip to a viewpoint about 1000m up Concepción.
Swimming
off Ometepe's beaches is excellent. Keep in mind that Lago de Nicaragua
rises dramatically in the rainy season (and, if the rains are particularly heavy, the couple of
months afterwards), shrinking the beaches to thin strands. By the end of the dry season in
April, however, some 20m of gray volcanic sand may stretch out to the water. The most
popular beaches are Playa Santo Domingo, Playa Balcón and the other beaches around
Charco Verde and Punta Jesús María. If you're just looking for a dip, the mineral-rich
rock pools at La Presa Ojo de Agua (
Click here
)
make a fine day trip.
Kayaking
is also big on the island, with Isla del Congo, Isla de Quiste and the Río Istiam
being the most popular destinations. Most hotels near these places rent kayaks.
Biking
is a fun way to get around (and, with the sketchy bus service, sometimes the
only
way). Bikes can be rented in Moyogalpa, Altagracia, Playa Santo Domingo and most ho-
tels.
Horseback riding
is another popular local transportation choice, and any tour operator
or hotel can set you up with a ride.
Volunteering
options abound. Check around at the hostels.
A growing number of farms on the island are signing up to the
Fincas Verdes agro-tour-
ism program
(
www.fincasverdes.com
)
, offering farmstays, horseback-riding expeditions and
tours of farm facilities explaining traditional, often organic farming techniques.
Tours
