If you want to travel from Granada to Ometepe, you have a few options. Ometepe is very much on the gringo trail these days, so you can easily organise a tourist shuttle from your hostel or hotel in Granada to take you as far as the ferry terminal in San Jorge. From San Jorge you can catch the ferry over to the island.
Unlike a lot of journeys in Central America, taking a shuttle when travelling from Granada to the Ometepe ferry doesn’t actually save you much time. Taking a chicken bus from Granada to Rivas, a taxi or collectivo to the ferry, and then a boat to Ometepe is easy, fast and cheap! I recommend it as the best option to travel from Granada to Ometepe and have written a step by step guide to help you on your way.
Granada to Ometepe Step 1: Granada to Rivas
Assuming you are staying in the centre of Granada, you should be able to walk to the bus station to start your journey to Ometepe. Walk south along Avenida Barricada until the end of the road. The station is very helpfully marked on Google maps as Nueva Terminal de Buses a Rivas, so you should find it easily.
We paid 100 córdobas per person to travel from Granada to Rivas. Get on and take a seat. Someone will come and collect the fare once the bus is moving. The journey takes around an hour and half and you stay on until the final stop.
Step 2: Rivas to San Jorge ferry terminal
A quick note about Rivas: If you’re travelling through Nicaragua, you will probably pass through Rivas a few times. It is unavoidable as it’s a transport hub that connects a few major tourist spots. If you’re travelling from Granada to Ometepe, you have to pass through Rivas.
It’s best if you come prepared, knowing that Rivas bus terminal can be a bit of an onslaught. You won’t even have a chance to get off the bus before you are bombarded with taxi drivers offering rides. They literally get on the bus and find you. It’s common for touts on the street to tell you your bus is not running and offer you inflated collectivo prices to take you to your destination.
Just have your wits about you and don’t necessarily go with the first person that approaches you. When passing through Rivas on a different journey, we were told our bus wasn’t running for another 2 hours. Within seconds someone else had found us and we were on the right bus with no problems.
The next step in travelling from Granada to Ometepe is to travel from Rivas to the San Jorge ferry terminal. It’s only 4km away. There is a local yellow bus that does the route for 30 córdobas. We couldn’t find it when we were there so we paid $3 per person in a shared taxi to the port. Our hotel receptionist later told us that we paid too much.
It’s time to get your best bargaining skills out!
Step 3: San Jorge to Ometepe
When you arrive at the ferry terminal, you first need to pay 35 córdobas or $1 port tax. You pay this at the blue window in cash.
You can then walk through, behind the “Bienvenidos” sign to buy your boat ticket. There are a few different boat companies that have different prices. We went with Che Guevara and paid 50 córdobas per person.
If you have to wait a while for your boat, there are a few restaurants both inside and outside the ferry terminal. There is a toilet near the Victoria beer sign before you enter the terminal you can use for 10 córdobas.
To travel to Moyogalpa, there are ferries at: 7am, 7:45am, 8:30am, 9am, 10:30am, 11am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm and 5:45pm.
There are also small lancha boats that make the journey, but they don’t run on Sundays. The journey takes one hour. You can check updated times for all boats here.
When you get off the boat in Moyogalpa you can easily organise transport to your accommodation. We stayed in Moyogalpa and were able to walk to our hostel. If you are staying in other parts of the island, there are tuk tuks and mini taxis that will take you. If you’re staying somewhere near Moyogalpa, tuk tuks are around 50 córdobas.
There really is no need to take a shuttle or private transportation when travelling from Granada to Ometepe as it’s an easy journey. The buses and ferries between Granada and Ometepe all leave regularly enough that there is no stress about making connections. It’s a lot cheaper than a shuttle and it’s a fun way to travel.
Where to stay in Ometepe
There are a few small towns around the island of Ometepe that offer slightly different vibes and facilities. Most people will stay in either Moyogalpa or Balgue.
The advantages of staying in Moyogalpa are that it is where the boat drops you off so you can likely walk to your hotel. It is also the largest town and therefore has the most facilities and conveniences and some great accommodation options nearby.
Balgue is the second backpacker hub of the island and has more of a laidback, hippy vibe. The area is more geared towards eco-friendly accommodations and is more isolated than Moyogalpa.
Best accommodation options in Moyogalpa
Budget – Rancho Tranquillo is a great budget option. It is a 10 minute walk to town and has direct access to the lake. They only offer dormitory style rooms but if you’re looking to have a relaxing time, make some friends and soak up the Ometepe sunsets, this is the place.
Mid-range – Hospedaje Soma Ometepe Hotel is great if you want a few more comforts during your stay. The hotel has a restaurant, pool and airconditioned rooms all surrounded by lush, green gardens. While still a rather basic accommodation, it is great value for the price and a good option for the area.
Best accommodation options in Balgue
Budget – La Urraca Loca Hostel is one of the best budget options on the island. The hostel is beautifully decorated, staying true to the jungle vibe of Ometepe. It has both a shared kitchen for guests to use and a restaurant. We stayed here for a few nights and I would definitely recommend it.
Mid-range – La Bambouseraie offers quaint cabins set on a permaculture farm with views of the volcano. If you’re looking for a more secluded place to chill, enjoy some nice views and recharge, La Bambouseraie is a great option.
Looking for more inspiration for travelling in Central America?
Check out these posts:
The perfect day trip to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
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