Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua

Located in the middle of the gigantic Lake Nicaragua the island Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes (one active, the other inactive). Both of these volcanoes join each other on the edge forming one island, but with two distinct micro-climates: the island of the inactive volcano is subtropical, wet and very green while the other part of the island is hot and dry and due to the fumes and dust emitted by the active volcano.

Ometepe´s nickname is “Oasis of peace” due to the tranquil atmosphere and history of the island relative to the mainland Nicaragua. Shortly after arriving a local store owner (Santos) proudly told me that I could safely leave my backpack on the side of the street and come back a day later and it would still be there. While this might be a bit exaggerated (or naïve) the island does seem extremely safe and friendly. With only 35000 inhabitants, everybody knows everybody and a thief has nowhere to run.

There is more (in addition to beautiful nature and security) that makes Ometepe an absolutely spectacular place and definitely a highlight on this trip: The people make you feel welcome, are open and warm, easy to meet and to involve in a conversation and more interestingly it is easy to stay at one of several local hostels giving you a unique perspective into life and culture of the locals. One of the things that particularly impressed me about the island was the feeling of a unique unspoiled genuine place. Certainly growing number of tourist has changed the face of the island over the past 10 years but nevertheless I found the people very genuine and unspoiled.

Ometepe also offers a wide spectrum of activities. I spent almost my entire time on the less populated southern part of the island: Merida at Volcan Playa (http://www.playavolcan.tk ) and Socorro at the organic farm Zopilote (http://www.ometepezopilote.com ). From Merida I took some spectacular excursions: hike to the 60m waterfalls of San Ramon, a kayak trip to two monkey islands and Rio Istian separating the two parts of the island. From El Socorro I toured the organic Farm Magdalena, visited the beautiful and deserted beach Santo Domingo, went on a bicycle trip half around the island to another beach, Charco Verde, and climbed Volcan Maderas (1400m elevation). Although I have climbed a lot of volcanoes by now, never have I seen or climbed one like Maderas because it is subtropical, wet and full of vegetation. The peak is almost always wrapped in a layer of clouds dropping rain daily. The higher we climbed the wetter the environment became until or path converted itself into a small river and to proceed we had to climb over small rocks or trunks sticking out of the ground.

It is with good reason that I met several travelers who decided to settle down on Ometepe after traveling extensively in Nicaragua or the whole world for that matter. I found it to be a charming and beautiful oasis and hope to return someday (soon).