where is Selvista
We are located on Isla Ometepe, in the town of Balgüe on the North-East side of the Maderas part of the island.
We are close to some great restaurants that you can reach on foot.
We have created a lush jungle setting in which to stay and relax. We run a guesthouse, nursery and permaculture designed farm that focuses on education and community involvement.
We’re only 10 minutes on foot to the Finca Magdalena trail-head, where you begin to summit Maderas Volcano up to the crater lagoon and cloud-forest up top.
see where we are on the island
map of Ometepe’s top things to do
Arrivals
PORT TO SELVISTA SUPER SIMPLE DIRECTIONS:
Turn right only main road Moyogalpa towards Altagracia - Turn right at El Quino to Santa Domingo - Turn left @ Santa Cruz to Balgue - Turn right our driveway.
PORT TO SELVISTA DETAILED DIRECTIONS:
From port up hill, turn right. Drive for 25 minutes until you reach the El Quino crossroad. Take a right there towards Santa Cruz. At the next crossroads make a left to Balgüe. Once you’ve passed through the center of Balgüe you’ll see the lake just to the left of the road and then cross Balgüe bridge over ‘Rio Balgüe’. Maderas Cabins are on the left just 50 meters on. Another 50 meters on the right is the entrance for Selvista, Bona Fide, La Bambouseraie and Zapote, all signposted.
Once you get to the town of Balgüe KEEP GOING, cross the bridge (signposted Puente Balgüe) at the east side of Balgüe and we’re the first driveway, on the right, up the hill from there. The entry is lit at night.
Keep your eyes open for our posted road signs (you can see them on the map here) — DON’T rely on google maps, Maps.me or GPS; they will only take you so far here.
DON’T turn up either road to Finca Magdalena. We’re not there! You’ll have to come back down, (the road is rocky and only fit for 4x4s) cross the bridge, and turn at our driveway. We are 1km past the Magdalena turn off in front of the health center (centro de salud) in the center of Balgüe.
4x4s make for a more comfortable ride on the island but are not necessary to get to us. We have alternative parking just 200 meters away or smaller vehicles, low cars, scooters (and inexperienced drivers) that can’t make it all the way up to the top parking area.
Location
Balgue, Isla Ometepe
Nicaragua, Lake Cocibolca
There are a multitude of easily organizable transport options in Nicaragua. From chicken buses to private drivers, you can easily navigate the country on any budget.
You can rent scooters, motorbikes and ATVs (quads) to get around on the island, or you can bring a car on the ferry or hire a driver. You can also explore much of the local area on foot.
Come and see us
Check in - 1 pm – 6 pm
Check out - 7.30 am – 11am
Arriving late? You’re always welcome; we have a simple self check- in process you can follow.
Contact
+505 8444 4519 Whatsapp / Claro
contactus@theselvistaexperience.com or send us a message online
Make a Reservation —
Follow google maps only as far as Balgue. From there if you search Selvista and follow their directions it will send you up the nearest recognised road, which goes to Finca Magdalena. We are not up this road.
Finca Bona Fide and Selvista have their own driveway a little further to the East, between the Magdalena road and the road to Finca Ometepe. This is the farm entrance on Maps. Turn right here (the road isnt marked on the map) to come up to Selvista, La Bambouseraie or Zapote.
Arriving at selvista:
Our (wo)manned check-in time is from 1:00 - 8:00 pm. Please let us know if you may arrive after these hours, so we can direct you to your house through our self check-in process.
We recommend that you arrive before dark, in order to orient yourself with our grounds and your surroundings. It’s not required, it will just be more comfortable for you your first time up here.
Your house is signposted, follow the paths from the parking area and driveway. Be sure to note the name of your house before setting off.
You’ll be able to access your keys using the keypad-controlled lock-box next to the door: We will give you the wifi and door-code via private message before arrival.
Walking or driving in:
Head towards Balgüe, and keep going East out of town across the bridge pictured below. Follow the "Selvista" signs at the forks in the path, past the ‘small parking’ and up to where the drive ends. The right-hand turn takes you to our sister projects: La Bambouseraie cabins and Bona Fide regenerative farm. Taking this right turn requires 4x4 capabilites.
If you want to ask for directions along the way most people are familiar with the Project Bona Fide farm. The Selvista Guesthouses property is located in the same farm entrance, a 10-min walk up from the main road.
Selvista is rated as a top destination on Isla Ometepe. It’s a luxurious, but conscious, agro-tourism business with re-established fruit forests. The site offers incredible insight and learning experiences.
See how to dissect and prepare a jackfruit, dehydrate mangoes or make pitanga jam (seasonal). Chop into your own coconut and get tips on how to use a machete. Help us feed the pigs, chickens, and ducks, or discover some of the uses of the edible and medicinal herbs that we grow here.
It’s known for its stunning views and convenient location at the base of the hiking trails. Get a massage on your private balcony overlooking the perfectly formed Volcano, Conception.
Stroll into the rice fields and wander down to the village; fishing boats bring in fresh food most mornings just five minutes from the farm driveway at the lakefront.
We’re not the only ones who think we’re the top choice either! See some recommendations for Nicaraguan accommodation from Suitcase Stories too.
We are run by entrepreneurs, landscapers, tropical permaculture experts and online designers, explorers and local agriculturalists, cooks, maseuses and tour guides. We offer consulting services for developing your own land or business.
Would you like to start your own resilient homestead? A plot full of abundance and growth? Consult with experts in land-design and management and business planning at We Plan for the Good:Life. to build a dream like Selvista.
One of the Top Places To See in Nicaragua, Ometepe island is a hidden gem and a must-see on your Central American trip. Made of a perfectly-formed strata-volcano and it’s dormant twin, complete with cloudforest. It’s the highlight of many people’s time here. It’s lush, hospitable, easy to get to and has great coffee plantations.
There are a multitude of easily organizable transport options in Nicaragua. From chicken buses to private drivers, you can easily navigate the country on any budget.
You can rent scooters, motorbikes and ATVs (quads) to get around on the island, or you can bring a car on the ferry or hire a driver. You can also explore much of the local area on foot.