Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua. Its name derives from the Nahuatl words ome (two) and tepetl (mountain), meaning "two mountains". It is the largest island in Lake Nicaragua.
The two volcanoes (known as Volcán Concepción and Volcán Maderas) are joined by a low isthmus to form one island in the shape of an hourglass. The island has an economy based on livestock, agriculture, and tourism. Plantains are the major crop.
The Adventure Begins
Getting on the ferry boat in what seemed like a gale force wind, was actually just a normal ride for the locals going back and forth to the mainland. The sound of metal vibrating as we hit big waves was a bit unsettling at first but I tried to act as everyone else was - unconcerned. The crossing was to last for an hour, it seemed to last longer than that.
Road Hazards
Traveling around the island has its challenges. Only about 30% of the island is paved. The unpaved roads go from rough to barely passable. Most car rental agencies do not want you to use their vehicles on Ometepe. To compound matters, animals roam freely everywhere. You must keep an eye out for stray cows, horses, pigs, chickens, dogs, goats and even people falling out of trucks.
Kayaking on the Istian River
There are many activities to enjoy while on Ometepe. Our time was short so we could only do a few. One of the activities we enjoyed was a guided kayak tour on the Istian River. This river flows between the isthmus connecting Ometepe’s two volcanoes. As the river narrows, it turns into a small estuary that meanders through lush tropical vegetation. Drifting slowly I was able to take some interesting photos of this unique ecosystem.
Hiking to the Petroglyphs
There are several hikes on Ometepe. There is a hike to a crater lake on Maderas Volcano and also a hike to view some petroglyphs located on Finca Magdalena. Since our time was short, we opted for the Finca Magdalen hike. This hike takes you through a coffee plantation and several small fields of banana plants to find petroglyphs from early inhabitants of Nicaragua. Unfortunately signage and restoration of the petroglyphs was done poorly, so I can’t recommend this hike. Anyway it was good exercise.
Worthy Adventure
Ometepe Island feels a bit like the mainland government gave up on it years ago. Roads and infrastructure are less than you would find on the mainland. Power outages are frequent, especially in the windy season. But people on the island seem happy with less. Their pace of life seems slower. And maybe thats because they have learned to respect and enjoy the beauty and nature that surrounds them.
