How to get to Ometepe Island
Getting to Ometepe is part of the adventure, and it is easier than it looks. All roads lead to the port of San Jorge, near Rivas, where the ferry crosses to the island. The crossing takes roughly an hour and here is how to get there from wherever you are.
How to get to Ometepe from Managua?
Managua airport to San Jorge is about two hours by road.
The simplest option is a private shuttle or taxi arranged in advance, so someone is waiting when you land ($70-80). If you’re travelling light and don’t mind changing, take a local bus or express minibus from Managua toward Rivas, then a short taxi from Rivas to the San Jorge port - around ten minutes. Buses to Rivas leave frequently through the day from the Huembes and UCA terminals.
Aim to be at San Jorge with time to spare. If you land in the late afternoon, it’s often calmer to sleep in Managua or Granada and travel in the morning rather than chase the last ferry.
Message us and we’ll share the drivers we use ourselves.
How do I get to Ometepe from Granada or San Juan del Sur?
Granada to San Jorge is about an hour and forty minutes by shuttle or taxi. There are also regular buses toward Rivas.
San Juan del Sur is closer — under an hour to San Jorge, and easy by taxi or shuttle.
How do I get to Ometepe from Costa Rica?
It’s a full day, but thousands of travellers do it every season. The crossing is at Peñas Blancas, and it’s a routine, well-worn tourist route — busy, orderly, and used by international bus companies every day.
From San Jose
The easiest option is an international tourist bus that crosses the border with you and helps with the paperwork - Tica Bus or Transnica are both reliable. You can also use platforms like Bookaway to reserve the bus that suits you best. Book your bus to Rivas (the first stop after the border crossing), then take a taxi from Rivas to the San Jorge ferry port, about ten to fifteen minutes.
Allow eight to nine hours door to door, including the border. Most buses leave during the night or early morning so you'll have plenty of time to catch an afternoon ferry to Ometepe.
From Liberia
If you’re flying into Costa Rica for a kite trip, Liberia is by far the quickest way in — it’s only about an hour and a half from Peñas Blancas.
Take a bus or shuttle from Liberia to the border, cross on foot, then continue on the Nicaraguan side by taxi or local bus to San Jorge, roughly 45 minutes. Some international buses also pick up in Liberia en route north (Central Line - book via Busbud), which saves you doing the crossing on your own.
What happens at the border?
Nothing complicated. You’ll pay a $8 fee (by card) and queue to exit Costa Rica, walk across, then queue again to enter Nicaragua. Be sure to have your passport stamped both on exiting Costa Rica and entering Nicaragua. Expect the whole process to take two to three hours depending on how busy it is. If you’re on an international bus, the driver walks you through it.
For the Nicaragua side, we recommend bringing US dollars in small notes. There is a $1 entry fee to enter the immigration building and an additional tourist fee of $13 per person at the border and cash is the only way to pay.
How does the ferry to Ometepe work?
Boats run from San Jorge to the island through the day, with the last crossings in the early evening. Most arrive at Moyogalpa port, the island’s main town where you'll find taxis and scooter and ATV rentals; some serve San José del Sur, which is closer to the school but has no ATMs, rental shops or taxis waiting upon arrival. If you plan to arrive at the latter, send us a message on Whatsapp and we can share the number of a taxi driver.
Two kinds of boat make the crossing. Ferries are larger, steadier, and take vehicles. Lanchas are small wooden boats and don’t. If you’re prone to seasickness, wait for a ferry.
Foot passengers and motorbikes can’t reserve and don’t need to — turn up, buy a ticket at the operator’s window, and walk on. During high season, arrive early to get a seat as ferries can get very busy.
Ometepe Ferry Schedule available here. Please bear in mind that ferry times may change due to holidays, weather and repairs. Always be sure to arrive early.
Do I need to book the ferry?
Only for cars and camper vans. If you’re bringing a vehicle, reserve in advance and be at the port an hour before departure to pay the ticket and taxes (CASH only). Reservation lines are Spanish-only and we recommend booking with El Rey de Cocibolca or La Gran Sultana (Whatsapp number for both: +505 8883 6943) from San Jorge to San José del Sur as they are the most responsive. When booking, please provide your name, type of vehicle, registration number and the date and time of the ferry you would like to book.
You can also leave a vehicle in the guarded parking at San Jorge port for a small daily fee and cross on foot.
What does the ferry cost?
Foot passengers pay 50 cordobas per person one way. There is also a $1 tourist tax when you enter the port. Bring cash for both as no cards are accepted.
If travelling with a motorbike or scooter, you'll pay an additional 50 cordobas on top of your ticket price. No advance reservation required.
Vehicle prices for the ferry are generally around $20 (not including your own tickets). You will also need to pay taxes (tax office located on the left side of the building after the ticket offices).
Everything must be paid for in cash!
Are there fewer boats on Sundays?
Yes. Sundays and public holidays run a reduced timetable, so check before you travel.
Getting from the port to us
We are approximately a 1 hour taxi or scooter ride from Moyogalpa and 30 minutes from San José del Sur. Taxis are available at Moyogalpa port and there are plenty of scooter, motorbike and ATV rentals around. You can rent your ride and drive to the school/your accommodation or alternatively take a taxi to where you are staying and rent something nearby (many hostels offer scooter/ATV rentals and there are plenty of rental shops on our side of the island).
San José del Sur is more remote and there are no taxis, rentals or ATMs available upon arrival. If you plan to arrive at this port, please send us a Whatsapp message and we'll share the number of a trusted taxi to pick you up.
Looking for a place to stay in Ometepe? Check out our local accommodation guide with options near the kitesurfing school and around the Maderas Volcano side of the island!
