Where to Stay in Ometepe Island (for the best experience!)

I 100% underestimated how big Isla de Ometepe actually is. Driving a full loop around this peanut-shaped island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua would take over two hours! To make the most of your time on this Nicaraguan treasure, where you decide to stay in Ometepe is an important one. In this post, I share tips on things to consider when deciding on where to stay on Ometepe for the best experience!

Disclosure: Booking your tour via the links in this guide will earn me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Earnings will go back to the maintenance of the travel guides provided on The Thrill of Pursuit. Thanks for your support.

<3 Dominique

When I say “best” experience, I don’t have one specific place in mind. “Best” is dependent on individual tastes and preferences. When deciding on where to stay in Ometepe Island, I would keep the following considerations in mind:

• What vibe are you going for? (Do you want to stay in a bustling town or do you want to stay somewhere more remote?)
• How long are you staying on the island for? (…and how much of Ometepe do you want to experience?)
• How do you plan on getting around the island? (Public transit? ATV? Bike?)

With these considerations, we can better define and help you to decide where to stay in Ometepe for the best experience!

I will break down the different towns/villages/areas in Ometepe where visitors can find accommodations. For the ease of our discussion, here is a map of Isla de Ometepe:

Moyogalpa

Moyogalpa is the largest town and main hub in Ometepe. A majority of the ferries arrive at the port located here. It is the busiest town on the island. They have set up the town for the backpackers passing through on the backpacker trail.

There are plenty of amenities, restaurants, supermarkets, vehicle rentals, and tour companies to be found in Moyogalpa. You can easily hail tuk-tuks and taxis here. There’s also a gas station in town. Most blogs will tell you that you can find the only two ATMs on Ometepe in Moyogalpa. There is also a good selection of accommodations for those travelling on a tight budget.

While Moyogalpa offers convenience and the most amenities, it isn’t the most scenic town on Ometepe. There isn’t a good view of any of the two volcanoes that flank the island. In fact, it may feel like you didn’t leave mainland Nicaragua at all. Because of its location, you will need to hire transport to get to the main attractions on Ometepe and account for the travel time required for each.

Summary of Moyogalpa Amenities

Altagracia

This is the second largest town on Ometepe. Altagracia is rich in history! It was the capital of the island prior to the Spanish conquest. The port where the ferry from Granada docks was the landing spot of the Spanish conquistadors and subsequently served as refuge for pirates in the 16th century. Museo de Ometepe (which exhibits pre-Columbian artifacts found on the island) is located in Altagracia.

Altagracia is less touristy than Moyogalpa but has accommodations suitable for every budget. The main road runs through the town so you can easily get around on a bike. As the second largest town on Ometepe, there are public transport stops here. The town also has a gas station and an ATM.

Like Moyogalpa, Altagracia isn’t the most scenic spot on the island. Its location also means that you would need to hire transport to get to many Ometepe attractions. Altagracia offers the same amenities as Moyogalpa but offers a more authentic feel for the daily life of Ometepe residents.

Summary of Altagracia Amenities

*food is also served at these establishments

Charco Verde

There are accommodations available in the Charco Verde area though I don’t hear too many stories about the experience of staying there. The accommodations found here are traditional family-owned haciendas that offer scenic lakeside views. The area is quiet and shaded by big, mature trees. You can find beaches with dark, volcanic sand though not too many people swim here as the waters look murky from lake sediment. The water is safe for swimming; it is just that most people are put off by the sediment. From a distance, this area has great views of Volcán Concepción.

There aren’t any restaurants in the area but if you are looking to stay in a quiet, centrally-located town on Ometepe, the Charco Verde area is not to be overlooked.

Summary of Charco Verde Amenities

Playa Santo Domingo or Santa Cruz

Along the isthmus that connects the two volcanoes, there is a stretch of hotels and restaurants which make up Playa Santo Domingo. The 4 km stretch of pale sand beach known as Playa Santo Domingo is a popular weekend spot for locals. Next to the southern tip of Playa Santo Domingo is Playa Santa Cruz. Playa Santa Cruz offers views of both volcanoes that flank the island. These two beaches face the windy side of the island. The waters will always be choppy but it is ideal for swimming as it is shallow and warm.

Accommodations on Playa Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz will probably give you the shortest travel times between your base and most island attractions. This area is a lot quieter than Moyogalpa and Altagracia though not as remote as Balgüe or Merida. Your lodgings may have lake views or volcano views.

The main road runs right along Playa Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz so getting around on a bike will not present issues. There are a few restaurants in the area though some might find them pricier than the restaurants at Moyogalpa and Altagracia. Insider tip for The Thrill of Pursuit readers: there is an ATM right outside of Villa Paraiso hotel!

If you are choosing to make Playa Santo Domingo or Santa Cruz as your base on Isla de Ometepe, you will need to make arrangements for transport from when you arrive at the Moyogalpa port. For reference, this area is about a 40 minute drive from the port.

Summary of Playa Santo Domingo/Santa Cruz Amenities

*food is also served at these establishments

Balgüe

Besides Moyogalpa, Balgüe is the other backpacker hub on Isla de Ometepe. As such, there are quite a few restaurants conveniently located in this area. This area also has the highest concentration of eco-lodgings on the island. In fact, Balgüe is one of Nicaragua’s prime destinations for eco-tourism.

The area around Balgüe is more rural. Here, you can find farming projects dedicated to environmental education and permaculture. The slopes in this area provides fantastic views of Volcán Concepción on the other side of the island. If you choose this area as your base, you can enjoy sunset views of Volcán Concepción with sounds of birds and howler monkeys as background music.

While the main road runs by Balgüe, there are smaller roads in the area that are in rougher shape. The roads around eco-lodgings may present a challenge for those who don’t have an ATV or car/truck. It may be tougher to navigate the area on a bike or scooter (where popped tires are a common occurrence). It is best when using Balgüe as your homebase to have wheels that can handle rougher roads. There is a Balgüe stop for the buses coming from Altagracia though I’m not sure on how frequent these buses come.

Summary of Balgüe Amenities

Mérida

For off-the-beaten track accommodations, then Mérida may be the area for you. Mérida is the largest settlement on the southern side of Ometepe. It is a very quiet, rural community where most residents make a living off of fishing and/or farming. There are a handful of restaurants in the area. If you are planning on making the Mérida area as your base for your Ometepe visit, you will definitely need your own set of wheels (preferably an ATV or car/truck).

Summary of Mérida Amenities

Related Reads

C Read More

Cheat Sheet: Nicaragua

W Read More

10 Wonderful Things To Do in Ometepe Island

W Read More

Where to Stay in Ometepe Island (for the best experience!)

E Read More

5 Essential Travel Tips for Isla de Ometepe

A Read More

5 Awesome Day Trips from Granada, Nicaragua

Do you have a favourite area to use as homebase on Isla de Ometepe? Do you have questions to help plan your visit? Let me know in the comments below!