Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(dishes US$3-4.50) Balgüe has a cluster of cafes just to the north of town, including this
place which features a huge fixed plate with your choice of meat and freshly made na-
catamales (banana-leaf-wrapped bundles of cornmeal, meat, vegetables and herbs;
US$1.50).
SANTA CRUZ TO MÉRIDA & SAN RAMÓN
Although more heavily populated than the rest of the southern part of the island, this
stretch of road still feels wild and untamed. As with the rest of the island, road conditions
are laughable (except in the wet season, when they're no joke) and bus service is patchy at
best.
Sights & Activities
Some of Ometepe's must-see attractions are accessed from this part of the island, includ-
ing the petroglyphs at Albergue Ecológico El Porvenir, where a well-marked trail (US$1)
meanders past approximately 20 of these rock carvings.
Being relatively sheltered, this side of the island is perfect for kayaking . An obvious
destination is Isla del Congo , now called Isla de los Monos or Monkey Island, home to the
descendants of four spider monkeys. Spider monkeys aren't present anywhere else on the
island (howler and white face monkeys are), so these guys are pretty much alone. Don't
get too close - these little guys bite. Hacienda Mérida is the closest place to the island that
rents kayaks. The other classic kayaking trip is to the Río Istiam , a swampy inlet that's
home to turtles, caimans, the occasional howler monkey and an array of birdlife. Cabal-
lito's Mar is the closest kayak-rental place to the entrance of the river and it has guides
who know where all the wild things are.
Cascada San Ramón
OFFLINE MAP
(admission US$3, station guests free) This stunning 40m waterfall is one of the jewels of the
island. The trail begins at the Estación Biológica de Ometepe. It's a steep four-hour round
trip on an easy-to-follow trail that's lost some of its charm since lots of trees were cut
down. But it's still mossy and beautiful at the top. If you've got a motorbike or 4WD, you
can drive up the nasty uphill part of the hike and walk the remaining, relatively flat 2km.
WATERFALL
Sleeping & Eating
 
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