Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua in the Republic of 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 of Concepción and Maderas are joined by a low isthmus to form one island in the shape of an hourglass, dumbbell or peanut. Ometepe has an area of 276 km2. It is 31 km long and 5 to 10 km wide.[1] The island has an economy based on livestock, agriculture, and tourism. Plantains are the major crop.
While Nicaragua is fast becoming Central America’s new tourism star, Ometepe Island is becoming a must go destination in its own right. The island, measuring 276 km² (106.6 sq miles) with a population of approx. 30,000, is the largest island in Lake Nicaragua, a body of water referred to as a ‘freshwater sea’ due to its sheer size. In the middle of this lake, isolated from the rest of Nicaragua, rise two majestic volcanoes joined by a narrow, flat isthmus – this is Ometepe. To the north of this hourglass, shaped island sits Volcán Concepción, a perfectly cone-shaped active volcano. To the south sits the extinct, or ‘prehistoric’ Volcán Maderas. In stark contrast to the lava stained Concepción, Maderas is covered in cloud forest with a lagoon in its centre. Add a rich history of different tribes and cultures, the stories told by the petroglyphs, ceramics and statues found throughout the island and you can start to imagine a paradise with all of the allure and mystique of Fantasy Island.
Hotels
Finca San Juan on 8.4 On booking.com and on TripAdvisor 19 rooms. Offering a restaurant and a private beach area, San Juan de la Isla is located in Altagracia, just 2.3 km from the main road. Free WiFi access, free private parking and views of Concepción volcano and the surrounding Lake Nicaragua are available. Each room here will provide you with air conditioning and a terrace. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with free toiletries. Extras include bed linen and a fan. At San Juan de la Isla you will find a garden, a terrace and a bar. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge, a tour desk and an ironing service. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling, fishing and hiking.
Xalli, Ometepe Beach Hotel Not on On booking.com and on TripAdvisor