Scooting around Ometepe

Getting around Ometepe isn’t easy without own transport, and thus I was very interested in renting a scooter to explore the rest of the island. 

There was the possibility of renting a bike around Finca Mystica, but I wasn’t keen on renting it from that side of the island – There is only a small section of road that is nicely paved, and the area around Merida unfortunately isn’t one of them (read : dirt roads with uneven gravel ground). 

Below map shows the sections with good paved road (orange highlighted route).

I didn’t feel safe riding in such road conditions, particular in an unfamiliar country and on an island where getting medical attention isn’t always the best. 

In addition, a girl staying at Finca Mystica recently had a bad bike accident and was limping around with a number of really bad bruises on her leg. 

I would really love to still enjoy the rest of my trip instead of nursing some uncalled for injuries!  For that reason, Chris and I made our way back to The Landing in Moyogalpa for it’s ease of renting motorbikes, and also for our last night stay.

A short distance from The Landing was Elmer Tours, whom Jake had booked a tour with for the Volcano Concepcion Trek, and was highly recommended as reliable. 

I would strongly recommend it too, as they were professional and honest.  They charged USD15 for half day (12 noon and return before 6pm), which we felt was reasonably priced, and proceeded with the scooter rental.

It was nice cruising around and seeing interesting sights and the local way of life. 

Our first stop – Balgue, the furthest point on the map with good condition road.  2 Dutch girls, whom Chris had travelled with for a period of time in Panama and Costa Rica, and whom were also on the same ferry when we arrived on Ometepe, were staying on this side of the island. 

We decided to check out their accommodation at Lazy Crab Hostel, and surprise them with our visit.

Finca Mystica definitely win it hands down!  Chris was super pleased he had tagged along with me, instead of heading to Balgue, one of the options he considered when he arrived on the island.

We had a great lunch in Balgue, at a café called Cafe Campeche.  Pride for excellent “farm to kitchen” food, I ordered a Thai red curry with beef.  Yum! 

Next stop, Ojo de Agua.  Admission cost was USD3. 

Ojo de Agua is a natural spring pool filled with crystal clear water from an underground river that comes from Volcano Maderas. 

The swimming hole is rimmed with cement to form two separate swimming areas where the water gets renewed constantly by the spring that emerges from the bottom of the upper pool. 

We also spotted a couple of monkeys up in the trees.

We subsequently drove through Altagracia, another big town on Ometepe Island.  This was the only place on the island we saw that was decorated with Christmas lights on the streets. 

It also seemed to have a strong village community feel, with more local residents living on this side of the island.

It was slowly getting dark, and we took another nice cruise back, passing Volcano Concepcion with the evening sun reflecting on the Volcano, before returning the scooter.