What makes Ometepe special~

 Ometepe was formed by two volcanos, Concepcion (the tallest at over 1600 meters – or 5,249 feet) and Manderas (over 1400 meters - 4,593 feet).  They are in the middle of Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) which is the second largest fresh water lake in the Western hemisphere (Lake Titcaca in South America is the largest).  Lake Nicaragua is so large – it is home to the world’s only species of fresh water sharks.

Ometepe is a tropical paradise.  It burgeons with beautiful green trees, abundant flowers, sweeping rice and plaintain farms, and quaint villages.  There is only one real road (about fifty miles in a figure eight) and it goes around the edges of the island.  The people are friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed.

There is also a great deal to do – or nothing at all if that floats your boat.  In fact, we alternated between hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and laying in our hammock reading.  Other than our trip to Canada – we have never been more relaxed in our lives.

There are several attractions we want to mention for those who may be thinking about your own Nicaraguan adventure:

• San Ramon Cascade (waterfall) is gorgeous.  A four km walk ( 2.5 miles) from the town of Merida to the INCREDIBLE Ometepe Biological Station in San Ramon.  From there (after a stop for COLD purified water) the hike to the waterfall is about 3 km.  It is very doable – but steep and challenging.  We opted for horses and rode to within 200 m of the falls and hiked the rest of the way.  The falls are AMAZING – and if you are lucky enough to catch the sun (it is in the cloud forest) the water shines and you feel like you’ve caught a glimpse of paradise.  The water is refreshingly cool.  With a drop of 180 m (591 feet) Well worth the $2 fee!

 

Matt enjoys the 'cascade' (falls)

• Monkey Island.  There is a group of very small islands near Merida.  Some time ago monkeys were placed on two of the islands.  They had been captured on the volcano and transported to attract tourists.  Since monkeys hate the water – they stay and have begun to breed and grow.  They are relatively free – but rely on food brought by the boats (which of course, lures the animals to the tourists).  Some guides say it was Senor Molina who brought the monkeys (to improve tourism at his hacienda), however, Mr. Molina says someone else put them there.  In any event, we were lucky enough to go by powerboat.  Since we had nice cameras, Senor Molina sent workers to cut a path around the island (it has been several years since he allowed this to be done) and we were dropped off to spend time with the monkeys and get AWESOME shots.  So fun!

Not happy that we were on HIS island

• Petroglyphs – hiking.  The Mayan Empire stretched down into Nicaragua and there are incredible remains from this stunning culture.  They carved elaborate figures into the volcanic rocks on the island of Ometepe.  There is even a hostel at the park with the petroglyphs and it is very beautiful.  

 
 

• Kayaking the Istian River swamp.  We hired guides (to navigate and to help with propulsion as we took photos) through this beautiful river/swamp.  There was an abundance of wildlife and flowers.  It was so tranquil.  I’d go again tomorrow!

Marci enjoys the tranquility in the swamp

• We didn’t do any of the other activities, but most of the other visitors to the Hacienda raved about hiking the volcanoes (extremely strenuous), there is a half day of sailing available, you can rent tubes to plow through the lake waters behind the speed boat, there is swimming and fishing, some great museums with carved Mayan statues, and also some great natural beaches for lounging.

Did I mention that Ometepe is not to be missed?