The ferry to Ometepe leaves from a small town just outside Rivas called San Jorge. They run from 7am until 5:45pm. You can double check the sailing times: Ometepe Boat and Ferry Schedules**. The 12pm sailing is only on weekends.
** We have received reports that the ferry schedule online isn’t as accurate as it used to be! We will try to find a more accurate one for you.
Rivas to Ometepe
You need to get yourself to San Jorge for the ferry. There is a bus that costs 7C$ and passes on the north side of the Rivas terminal. Or, you can get a taxi which should cost 20C$.
Managua to Ometepe
If you are coming from Managua you need to head to the Mercado Roberto Huembes terminal. Your best option is to catch one of the expreso buses heading all the way to San Jorge from Managua. The expreso buses leave every half hour and cost 75C$. Check the Ometepe Ferry Schedule** to be sure you don’t miss the last one.
Have a read through traveller comments below to get more first hand details.
Schedules and information for buses running on Ometepe can be found here: Ometepe Bus Schedules . **We are told however that the bus schedule online for Ometepe is no longer correct. One of our awesome contributors, Bob, snapped this photo of this one posted at a hostel on the Island (March 2018)
Ferry from Granada to Ometepe?
This service has been suspended due to low water levels. Have a look at the notice here on this page: Ometepe Boat and Ferry Schedules**
Help your fellow traveller
If you have taken any of the buses on this page, please drop us a comment below about how the trip went, what time you left, how long it took and what it cost. And, definitely let us know if we have anything wrong.
Lets help each other in our travels!
The express bus from Managua to San Jorge us $110 c.
Cane from Ometepe today, express bus from San Jorge to Managua cost $C110. When I arrived in Rivas last Thursday a regular taxi from Rivas to San Jorge cost $C100-$C120 but if you walk away from the bus station to where the collectivo taxis are the cost is $C20. I had to wait a few minutes for another passenger coz I’m solo and he didn’t want to go with just me. Also some of the ferries are undergoing maintenance at the moment so don’t run but you won’t know which until you arrive at the port. Current bus schedule on the island is currently being sent to admin.
I am planning to be in Managua from the first week of September 2019, for 2 days then go to Ometepe for 3 weeks, from there to San Juan del Sur for a month, then to Bluefield for 3 week and back to Managua to get my flight, any tips on travelling and place to stay or anyone willing to do that trip Thanks David. davidvisar@gmail.com
I am planning to be in Managua from the first week of September 2019, for 2 days then go to Ometepe for 3 weeks, from there to San Juan del Sur for a month, then to Bluefield for 3 week and back to Managua to get my flight, any tips on travelling and place to stay or anyone willing to do that trip Thanks David. davidvisar@gmail.com
June 2019: bus Rivas to San Jorge leaves from market and goes to port. C$10
2 buses run per day, no buses Saturday Sunday. Expect possibility that 1/2 buses is down for repairs.
Also, this appears to be the most up to date bus schedule for Ometepe island
http://ometepeojodeagua.blogspot.com/2012/01/horario-de-los-buses-en-moyogalpa.html?m=1
The bus from Rivas to San Jorge goes every hour, passing next to the bus terminal on the east, and turning round at the hospital before coming back. It costs 10 cordobas and is a reddish mini bus.
I think this would be best posted here – left Ometepe for Granada the other week and there was a bus right at the dock loading people up. Asked the driver if he was stopping at the Rivas station; he said yes, but we didn’t. It seemed later we were bound right for Managua, but thought I heard we may stop in Masaya. When the fare collector was going around, I asked if we were going through Granada; he said yes, $100C. Dumped me off on a highway off ramp 15km out of town with a slew of tuk tuks waiting to gouge me another 200 for the remainder. When I lied and said I didn’t have the money, one said there would be a chicken bus along in about 45 minutes I could take. In less than five minutes it pulled up and 20C later, I was in Granada. Beware!