Getting Here

From Managua or Liberia airport you can rent a vehicle, have a driver waiting or follow the bus routes* to Ometepe to get to Selvista.

Let us know if you’d like any assistance along the way.

For requirements to enter the country see the link below.

To arrive on Ometepe you will need to take a ferry from the Port town of San Jorge, Rivas (open every day) to get to Ometepe.

If you’d like a driver waiting let us know what ferry time you’ll be leaving the mainland.

If you’re bringing a rental vehicle across to the island, we recommended that you make a reservation in advance, especially during peak periods from Nov - April.

Ometepe has two port towns receiving ferries from San Jorge, and you can make your way to Balgüe easily from either of them.

Moyogalpa is the main port and has more frequent options for arrival and departure to Ometepe. You will also find a larger supermarket and ATMs there; most businesses on the island are cash only (or paying by card if available will incur extra charges) so this is a good place to arrive and get situated for island life.

Driving tip: for a smoother ride turn right at the top of the hill when leaving the Moyogalpa port; the left turn makes for a much longer journey and can require 4x4 capabilities at certain times of the year.

The San Jose port is slightly closer to us, so your drive would be a bit shorter but there are fewer amenities upon arrival and only two ferry times per day.

From there you make your way to Balgue…

SUPER SIMPLE DIRECTIONS TO SELVISTA:

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.

See a static map of the island here and also a google map link to our entryway

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 need to ask, 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.

Please park to the right in the lower parking area if you have a small car. Do not attempt to pass the final part of our rocky driveway in a low vehicle or scooter. 4x4 and quads are great up there. Motorbikes are fine if you’re confident to do so.

***NOTE: google maps does not recognise our driveway and as such will direct you up the nearest road, signposted to Finca Magdalena. Do not follow this road. Continue on through Balgüe and follow the signs to Selvista and Bona Fide as directed above.***

If anything comes up on your trip to the property, you can contact us via whatsapp or call on +505 8444 4519

Ferry schedule

The most frequent boats leave from San Jorge, just outside of Rivas center on the mainland. c$50 per person. Under 5s free.

A taxi should cost a few dollars from Rivas. A collectivo minivan around $1.

A ferry can transport vehicles. A boat is smaller and for passengers only, no cars.

Reservations are recommended for vehicles during busy holiday periods. Check for service on the national holidays.

You can call to reserve spaces for vehicles on the ferries 2-3 weeks in advance.

They are Spanish speaking only, so guests should let us know in their reservation correspondance what type of vehicle and preferred time if assistance is wanted.

They will arrive at one of two ports on the island, Moyogalpa or San Jose.

The journey takes approximately 1hr & 15 minutes.

There is no other way to enter Ometepe publicly than via San Jorge in Rivas at time of press (Apr 24).

The weekly ferry service between Granada and San Carlos resumed in 2022, only to stop again in 2023, unfortunately. The boat to Granada is not running.

RENTAL CARS

You can hire rental cars at the airport. Be aware that you cannot cross the border with a rental vehicle, the vehicle must be registered in your name to do so. 4x4 is most useful, if possible, for reaching some of the best spots in Nicaragua. We recommend Dollar rentals.

bus schedule

Buses here are lovingly refered to as 'chicken buses', thanks to the live cargo they can often be seen carrying. They are mostly old school buses from the USA that have been sent down here at the dusk of their heyday. Crowded and scenic- all part of the adventure!

They are an economical, local, eco-friendly way to travel. You can flag them down anywhere that’s safe to stop. You may have a wait in between buses, there is not one company, they are all family owned.

* Buses on Sundays on Ometepe are sporadic at best and non-existent most likely. Not the best day to try to travel on public transport in Nicaragua. We can help to arrange private transport or you can stay another day and relax with us.

Coming in from the ports: If no direct bus to Balgüe, change at El Quino (“El Key-no”), just before Altagracia.

For travelling on the bus from Managua to Rivas: make your way to Mercardo Huembes to find a bus to Rivas; they leave roughly every 30 minutes and take a couple of hours.

Buses run regularly from the frontera to Rivas. Get off at the gasolinera and pay around $1 to get a taxi to the port in San Jorge or wait for a collectivo (mini-bus) for a cheap ride over.

Flying to Ometepe

*currently suspended until further notice

La Costeña airlines run flights to La Paloma (Ometepe) airport twice a week, on Thursday and Sundays. The line runs between Managua and San Carlos, on its way to San Juan de Nicaragua (Greytown), then returns.

Flights leave Managua at 12:00 midday and land around 12.20pm on the island. 12.30pm to the caribbean.

They leave from Greytown at around 1.35pm to reverse the trip, departing from Ometepe at 2.30pm for Managua to arrive just after 3pm.

You can book with La Costena here.

You can fly domestically and economically around much of Nicaragua.

Here is a list of destinations with one airline.

PRIVATE DRIVER

From the (air)port to the door, mainland drivers and island drivers available on request.

On-island rentals:

You can have a rental vehicle (quad bike, scooter, motorbike) dropped off and collected from the houses for you by a reliable, reputable, and friendly local family-run businesses.

CONTACT US TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS ON the ISLAND