Southwestern Nicaragua - Nicaragua - page 248

and that between November and February winds can make the sea rough, particularly in
the afternoon; consider taking the ferry. Fewer boats make the run on Sunday.
GETTING YOUR WHEELS ONTO OMETEPE
Taking a car to Ometepe involves a bit of forward planning, some runaround and cash. Since
rental cars on the island can cost upward of US$90 per day (when available) and public transport
is patchy at best, it may just be worth the hassle. Four-wheel drives are best for the spiky volcanic
roads.
To do it, get here for the first ferry from San Jorge to Moyagalpa by 7am. Ferries leave about
every hour. You should be able to make it by noon with a little luck. There are a handful of ferry
companies at the Moyagalpa terminal, but the central Empresa Milton Garcia ( 8966-4983; Ferry
Terminal) is best to help you buy your tickets and arrange passage. With the port tax, mysterious
'car tax' and ferry transit fee, you'll pay about US$20 each way. Passengers buy separate tickets.
While the companies say you can arrive that day and get on a ferry with a car, you're better off
calling ahead.
Ferries also run from Altagracia to Granada and San Carlos. If you're thinking about
doing the Granada-Altagracia run one way only, it's best to leave from Granada - you
travel in the day, get some views and arrive late afternoon. Leaving Altagracia for
Granada you travel at night and arrive in the early hours of the morning.
The Hacienda Mérida ( www.hmerida.com ) does sailboat tours and transfers. You'll need a
minimum of four (and a maximum of six) people for the following prices: San Jorge
(US$25 per person, one hour), San Carlos (US$80 per person, nine to 11 hours) and
Granada (US$60 per person, eight to nine hours).
Getting Around
The southern loop between Moyogalpa and Altagracia, the island's two major towns, is a
beautifully paved road. All other roads vary between regular and atrocious. Remember
when asking for directions that most locals have a very skewed idea of distances - it's bet-
ter to ask how many minutes' walk than how many kilometers it is to your destination.
The island is bigger than it looks and very few destinations are really walkable. The lack
of traffic makes hitching a problem (although any passing pickup will almost certainly
give you a ride). Bicycling is a breeze.
BICYCLE, CAR & MOTORCYCLE