Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Moyogalpa is the place to go to rent cars and motorbikes, although a couple of places in
Playa Santo Domingo rent motorbikes. Car rentals run as much as US$90 per day (check
at Hotel Ometepetl). Motorcycles cost US$25 per day (US$5 per hour), and bikes will run
around US$5 per day.
If you have your own car, consider leaving it in the parking lot by the San Jorge ferry
terminal, particularly in the wet season if you don't have a 4WD. Ferries can transport
your car; make reservations well in advance.
BUS
Bus service is solid, but the southern island's terrible roads take their toll on buses and
schedules change frequently. Fewer buses run on Sunday. Between Moyogalpa and Al-
tagracia there are hourly buses. All buses from Moyogalpa to the Maderas side of the is-
land stop in Altagracia about one hour later, then head down the isthmus past Playa Santo
Domingo.
At Santa Cruz, buses go right (south) to Mérida and San Ramón, and left (east) to Bal-
güe, perhaps continuing to La Palma. Buses do not serve the southeastern portion of the
island, between San Ramón and La Palma, at all.
TAXI
Taxis are rare and expensive, and they're all minivans, jeeps or pickups with 4WD. They
meet all ferries, but otherwise you should have your hotel make arrangements with a
driver at least a few hours in advance. From Moyogalpa, expect to pay at least US$20 to
Altagracia, US$20 to Playa Santo Domingo, US$25 to Balgüe, US$30 to Mérida and
US$45 to San Ramón.
Moyogalpa
POP 10,000
Not just the ferry terminal for hourly boats from the mainland, Moyogalpa is the nerve
center for Ometepe's nascent tourist industry, with several hotels and restaurants and most
of the island's tour companies. It's also base camp for the climb up Volcán Concepción.
It's a bit of a tourist ghetto, and those looking for chillaxed island days should hightail it
outta here.
Sights & Activities
