Ometepe Hostels

Ometepe is a must-go for anyone visiting Nicaragua. This beautiful, volcanic island is comprised of two volcano peaks jutting out of spectacular water. The island itself has many different communities, each with its own hostels, with many different activities to offer from volcano climbing, kayaking, horseback riding, bike tours, fishing trips, windsurfing, tubing, and wind sailing.

Getting to, from, and around the island can be tricky, especially in the rainy season. There are a few places from mainland Nicaragua where boats depart a few times a day for an inexpensive fee to San Jorge. Private boats can also be chartered, but are very expensive. Getting around the island is hard and time consuming -- although the place is not large, the bumpy dirt roads cause driving speed to often be at walking pace. There is a chicken bus that goes around the island a few times per day. The one road around the outside edge of the island makes town-hopping easy.

There are quite a number of Ometepe hostel choices around the island, including party hostels and ones that fund charities and community projects around the island. Most come with restaurants and bars attached, as buying food on the island is rather difficult. It is a good idea to come with lots of cash (there is only one ATM on the island) and clean clothes (all the inhabitants hand wash their clothes).

Ometepe, Nicaragua, is an amazing island surrounded by beautiful scenery and inhabited by amazing people. Make sure to talk to some locals and keep your eyes peeled for exotic wildlife.