Looking for where to stay in Ometepe, Nicaragua? You are in the right place!
Ometepe is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Nicaragua, and easily my favorite. This volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua has a lot to offer to adventure travelers, and there are plenty of accommodation options in the various towns and villages.
Some towns and areas in Ometepe have a larger variety of places to stay, for all budgets, and a winder selection of restaurants and eateries. Others are more remote, but fascinating especially if you want to experience the wild nature and landscape of the island.
Your experience in Ometepe will vary a lot depending on where you decide to stay. I must admit picking an area is easier said than done. I know I had a hard time when it was time for me to find a place to stay! That’s why I thought I’d share all my tips on where to stay in Ometepe, with a selection of the best towns and the best hotels, hostels and eco-lodges in all of them.
You should also read my post A Complete Guide To Ometepe, Nicaragua.
Where to Stay in Ometepe
Balgue – Where to stay in Ometepe for a remote location.
This is where I stayed when I visited, and actually loved it. Balgue is a tiny village tucked away in the northern portion of Ometepe. You’ll find it within striking distance of the bus terminal – it actually takes a good while to get there once you first get off the ferry and set foot on the island.
This remote part of the island is popular with budget travelers and backpackers in particular. It’s also a popular destination on the lake for those who are looking for eco-based tourism.
The area around Balgue is dotted with pre-Columbian petroglyphs which have been left by civilizations that once lived around the lake.
There are also many local farms and community projects to visit, all with a focus on growing their own organic vegetables and produce, and working in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
The main shortcoming of Balgue – if at all – is that dining options are limited. There are a few eateries along the main road – admittedly, all quite good!
Below are some good places to stay in Balgue.
Luxury – Totoco Eco-lodge
Beautifully situated up high overlooking Lake Nicaragua, this stylishly decorated eco-lodge is perfect for travelers who want to be surrounded by nature.
The guest rooms here are carefully put together using local natural materials, and feature high rattan ceilings, polished tiled floors and plenty of natural light. Different sized rooms are available to suit various travelers’ needs.
Amenities at Totoco Eco-lodge include a scenic outdoor swimming pool, a friendly bar and a restaurant that serves up a tasty breakfast each morning. It’s definitely where to stay in Ometepe in style.
Mid-range – Wood Cabin – Cabana Maderas
This rustic accommodation option in the Balgue area of Ometepe offers rooms situated inside wooden cabins, allowing guests to fully indulge in the surroundings of tropical nature. Although simple, the cabins come with the bonus of added modern amenities, which include Netflix, private bathrooms and large double beds.
The location puts guests within easy striking distance of nearby sights, but still feels decidedly secluded and quiet. From here it’s only a 10-minute walk to the main road where the bus stops, eateries and bars.
Back at the guesthouse, you can enjoy fresh coffee from the nearby coffee plantation or sample the delicious food on sale at the cafe.
Budget – El Güis Hostel
El Guis Hostel is a laid-back, accommodation option run by a welcoming team. Rooms here range from dormitory beds to private double rooms with en suite bathrooms.
The family-run hostel is a perfect place to stay for travelers who want to meet other like-minded people and get to know fellow guests over the communal dinner table.
And when you want to chill out, you can take a break in one of the many hammocks strewn around their tropical gardens. Or for something a bit more active, you can join in one of the organized excursions run through the hostel.
Moyogalpa – Most convenient place to stay in Ometepe
Moyogalpa is where you’ll find the largest of Ometepe’s three ferry terminals, making it a great place to stay if you only have a short time to explore the island and the lake.
It’s also the largest of all the settlements on the island, and so it sees more tourism than other more far-flung villages of Ometepe.
From here it’s easy to travel around thanks to the circle route that runs around the whole island. But there are also plenty of things to do in the local area, with eateries, shops and tourism services to plan excursions and trips further afield.
You should also read my post The Best Things To Do In Nicaragua.
There’s also a good range of accommodation options to choose from. Here are the best accommodation options in Moyogalpa.
Luxury – Hospedaje Soma Ometepe Hotel
Among the best Ometepe island hotels, Hospedaje Soma Ometepe Hotel provides a chilled-out environment to spend your time during a trip to Ometepe. The hotel is surrounded by lush tropical greenery and has an easygoing, relaxing atmosphere.
Amenities here include an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, a terrace restaurant and bar, with strong Wi-Fi also available throughout.
Guest rooms here range from double rooms with en suite bathrooms all the way to family-sized bungalows. Each are large, clean and well designed, and come with their own outdoor seating areas.
Mid-range – El Peregrino
Situated around a 15-minute walk from the center of Moyogalpa, El Peregrino is an artistic-themed property that provides incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Rooms here are large and comfortable, with comfortable beds and traditional design details.
Throughout the property, there’s plenty of space to relax and unwind, with a shared guest lounge featuring hammocks and snooker tables.
There’s also an on-site restaurant for when you want to eat with some prime volcano views.
Budget – Rancho Tranquillo
The clue is in the name of Rancho Tranquillo, which is situated right on the shores of the lake itself. It’s a dreamy sort of destination where you can easily spend hours simply swinging in a hammock under palm trees. Rooms range from dormitories to private twin rooms with garden views.
The friendly hosts at this hostel make sure your stay runs as smoothly as possible, and will also help to arrange activities and excursions. Location-wise, it’s just a 15-minute walk from the nearby harbor and a stone’s throw from local restaurants.
Playa Santo Domingo – Where to stay in Ometepe by the beach
The main attraction of Playa Santo Domingo is, as the name suggests, its beach — a four-kilometer (2.5-mile) long beach that provides an idyllic spot for relaxing. There’s a range of accommodation options here, all just a stone’s throw from lakeside eateries and local bars.
The location is also prime for travelers who enjoy nature as the birdlife living along this portion of the lake is abundant. It’s a great choice for travelers who enjoy adventure and activities, as kayak tours and hikes are part and parcel of staying around Playa Santo Domingo.
Luxury – Xalli Beach Hotel
Visitors to Playa Santo Domingo, Ometepe, looking for a style-oriented place to stay should take note of Xalli Beach Hotel. Throughout this polished property, each space has been carefully curated with nods to traditional design and using local materials, all with modern amenities and style in mind.
Rooms here feature air conditioning (quite an important feature in a country that is constantly hot!), large, comfortable beds and breezy seating areas with garden views.
Elsewhere at the property, there’s the chance to dine on local cuisine at the on-site restaurant and enjoy a drink at the bar. The location is amazing and puts you right on the shores of the lake itself.
Mid-range – Hotel Villa Paraiso
Located just steps from Santo Domingo Beach itself, Hotel Villa Paraiso is the ideal balance between affordability and comfort.
The property boasts its own outdoor swimming pool with lake views, access to the beach, as well as its own restaurant and bar, serving up some tasty local cuisine. But, with room service available, you can also take meals on your own private terrace.
The rooms themselves are rustic but clean, with polished floors and plenty of natural materials to complement the surrounding natural scenery. Nearby you’ll find local restaurants and bars to sample some delicious cuisine.
Budget – Playa Casa Nohelia
Playa Casa Nohelia is easily where to stay in Ometepe for budget travelers who with to travel in style. It is an enchanting homestay by the beach.
Here you can spend time chilling out in a hammock with your toes in the sand, dining on some tasty home cooked dishes at the on-site restaurant, or taking a stroll a few yards up the road to discover a variety of local eateries.
The hosts at this accommodation option are warm and welcoming and will go above and beyond to make sure that your stay runs as smoothly as possible.
Guest rooms here are simple and unfussy, but the location — on a secluded portion of the lakeside — allows you to enjoy a taste of local life away from tourist hotspots.
Merida – Where to stay in Ometepe for tranquility
Merida is a sizeable town on the southern portion of Ometepe. Despite its size, Merida has managed to retain much of its rural charm, making it a good place for those who want to unwind in a more tranquil location.
Sitting in the shadow of the Maderas volcano, village life here is centered around farming and fishing. There’s a range of down-to-earth, beachside accommodation and eco-lodges tucked away on the jungle-clad slopes of the volcano.
This is also a top destination for travelers who want to get stuck into outdoor activities. There’s plenty of opportunity for hiking to waterfalls, taking kayaking trips around the shoreline, or enjoying a spot of cycling alongside the lake.
Volcano boarding is a thing in Nicaragua. To find out more about it, read my post What To Expect When Volcano Boarding on Cerro Negro, Nicaragua.
Luxury – Hotel La Omaja
This accommodation option in Merida is perfectly located on a slope overlooking the lake, and boasts direct, unobstructed views of the volcano in the distance.
One of the best bits of this hotel is its outdoor infinity pool, where you can really unwind in style and soak up those incredible views (it’s particularly nice at sunset).
The hotel is very peaceful and is surrounded by a garden that overflows with flowers and plant life. Rooms themselves range from comfortable double rooms to family bungalows with large terraces, seating areas and polished private bathrooms.
Mid-range – Rosa’s Lake Cabins
Book into Rosa’s Lake Cabins and you’ll be sure to make friends with other like-minded travelers. This family-run property makes sure that everyone who stays here has an enjoyable time.
There’s a variety of different rooms on offer to suit different travelers’ needs, some of which come with stunning views of the lake.
Each morning there’s a delicious breakfast on offer to start the day properly, and then you can opt to rent a bicycle to pedal around the nearby sights, or head off on an excursion to one of the sights around the lake — see a waterfall, go hiking, kayaking, whatever you want to do.
Budget – Finca Mystica
The grounds at Finca Mystica are beyond beautiful. The sizeable lawns here are planted with an abundance of local flowers and trees, which you can enjoy each morning with a fresh breakfast served on the patio.
Rooms here use plenty of natural materials, and feature quirky design details; they range from dormitories to rooms with lake views.
There’s plenty of space here to relax and unwind. Guests can make full use of the shared outdoor swimming pool, chill out in a hammock, or stroll around one of the paths through the gardens.
Nearby you’ll find a collection of eateries to sample too.
Altagracia – One of the best areas to stay in Ometepe
Altagracia was once an important settlement for the area in the pre-Columbian era of Nicaragua’s history, playing the part of capital for the region.
There’s still plenty of history to discover in the area, including the town’s church, which was built in 1924 (complete with a wooden bell tower).
The nearby port, which was the spot where Spanish colonists first landed in the 16th century, is the place to start your exploration of Ometepe. Here you can easily hop on a ferry to various locations around the lake.
There’s also a variety of good beaches just a short distance from the village when you want to spend some time unwinding.
Luxury – El Mirador Ecológico, Ometepe
Situated just a 15-minute walk from Concepcion Volcano, El Mirador Ecologico boasts incredible views of Lake Nicaragua (as the name suggests).
The hotel’s location means that the outdoor swimming pool offers the chance to swim overlooking the natural landscape — or you can simply sun yourself in a sun lounger while sipping on a cocktail.
Rooms at the hotel are clean and comfortable and feature gleaming tiled floors, private bathrooms and air conditioning. There’s also an on-site restaurant with a menu that features an array of Nicaraguan cuisine to dig into, and which also features strong wi-fi.
It’s easy to see why many will suggest this is where to stay in Ometepe.
Mid-range – Hostal Rancho Sabor Isleño – Ometepe
This is one of the best Ometepe Nicaragua hotels. First of all, it has a great location. It’s a short walk from Hostal Rancho Sabor Isleno to the nearest beach on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Staying here also means you’ll be a stone’s throw from a selection of local restaurants.
Guests can also opt to rent a vehicle to explore the surrounding area.
Back at the property itself, the clean and comfortable guest rooms make for a cozy place to get a good night’s sleep.
Here you can start your day refreshed with a home cooked breakfast courtesy of the hotel restaurant, with days ending with a drink at the on-site bar or swinging in a hammock.
Budget – Hospedaje Bananas
Hospedaje Bananas is a family-run hostel that’s tucked away from the main part of Altagracia. Staying here means fully immersing yourself in the surrounding scenery of the lake and nature, and enjoying a local side of life.
All of the rooms on offer here feature their own balcony, a small kitchenette and private bathrooms. There’s also a range of facilities on offer for guests to use, which include breakfasts, bicycle rental and free Wi-Fi.
Further Readings
For help with planning your trip to Nicaragua, make sure to read the following posts:
- What You Need To Know Before You Visit Nicaragua
- The Ultimate Guide To Leon, Nicaragua
- What To See And Do In Granada, Nicaragua
- What To Eat In Nicaragua
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