

Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua

Map of Nicaragua Map of Ometepe

Ometepe, an island composed of two volcanoes, emerges from the the Cocibolca, the great Lake of Nicaragua. Joined by a thin, flat isthmus the two volcanoes shape the island like an hour glass.
Over the northern half of Ometepe looms the Concepción, a majestic and perfectly cone-shaped active volcanoe, while the southern half is dominated by the extinct volcano Maderas which is swathed in a cloud forest and has a mist-shrouded lagoon in its crater.

Ometepe Island Nicaragua

Isolated from the rest of Nicaragua by the Cocibolca, the indigenous name for the Lake of Nicaragua, Ometepe feels far away from the rest of the world. Touted as the "Oasis of Peace", the island is a mesmerizing place, entrenched in history, and full of stunning sights and activities.

Ometepe Nicaragua

Past Indian inhabitants regarded it as their promised land and a sacred island. Chorotega, Nahuatl and Mayans left a multitude of pre-Columbian artefacts spread all over the island. Due to the many petroglyphs and stone idols carved into basalt boulders Ometepe is considered one of the great rock art areas of the world .

The Conquistadores turned the Indians over to Catholizism but many old costums and beliefs were integrated into the Christian faith. On Ometepe people celebrate more religious and folk festivals than anywhere else in Nicaragua.

Isla Ometepe

The volcanoes, visible from everywhere on the island, are a powerful and ever-present feature.
The volcanic ash makes the soil extremely fertile and the land yields abundant crops. In recent years many farms have turned over to sustainable farming practices, and many hotels on Ometepe serve their own, self-grown fruit and vegetables.

Tourism on Ometepe is picking up and a new kind of traveler mingles with the usual backpacker on his Central-America journey. Drawn by the island's unique culture and nature attractions Ometepe receives now also a more demanding clientele, from eco- and ethno tourists to sport enthusiasts and serenity seekers. There are still many budget accommodations available but you will now equally find hotels and lodges on Ometepe which offer more comfort and amenities.
Low-impact eco-tourism is very popular on Isla Ometepe which in 2010 was designed as a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO. Various NGOs foster rural and communitarian tourism to the mutual benefit of local families and visitors interested in an authentic experience in one of Nicaragua's most intriguing travel destinations.