Ometepe ferry schedule: San Jorge, Moyogalpa and San José del Sur
Here you find the Ometepe ferry schedule, ticket prices and how to book, all in one place. Every boat to the island leaves from the port of San Jorge, near Rivas. It arrives either in Moyogalpa, the main town on the Concepción side, or in San José del Sur, the small port closest to El Zopilote eco hostel and Maderas Volcano.
We wrote this guide at El Zopilote, a permaculture farm and eco hostel on Ometepe Island, because how to catch the ferry is the question our guests ask us most.
The crossing takes about 1 hour to Moyogalpa and about 1 hour and 20 minutes to San José del Sur.
Ometepe ferry schedule from San Jorge to the island
| Time | Boat | Type | Arrives in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | El Che Guevara | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 7:45 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 8:30 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 9:00 | Karen María | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 9:30 | Rey de Cocibolca | Ferry | San José del Sur |
| 10:30 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 11:00 | Estrella del Sur | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 12:00 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 12:30 | Santa Martha | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 13:30 | Karen María | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 14:00 | Mozorola | Lancha | San José del Sur |
| 14:30 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 15:30 | Estrella del Sur | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 16:00 | El Che Guevara | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 16:30 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 17:00 | Santa Martha | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 17:00 | Rey de Cocibolca | Ferry | San José del Sur |
| 17:45 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
Ometepe ferry schedule from the island back to San Jorge
| Time | Boat | Type | Leaves from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 | Karen María | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 5:40 | Mozorola | Lancha | San José del Sur |
| 6:00 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 6:30 | Santa Martha | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 6:45 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 7:00 | Estrella del Sur | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 7:30 | Rey de Cocibolca | Ferry | San José del Sur |
| 9:00 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 10:00 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 11:00 | El Che Guevara | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 11:30 | Karen María | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 12:30 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 13:00 | Estrella del Sur | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 14:00 | Ferry Ometepe I | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 15:00 | Santa Martha | Lancha | Moyogalpa |
| 15:00 | Rey de Cocibolca | Ferry | San José del Sur |
| 16:00 | Ferry Ometepe III | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
| 17:30 | El Che Guevara | Ferry | Moyogalpa |
Schedule updated November 2026. Times can change with the weather, the lake level and public holidays, and there are fewer boats on Sundays. Some days La Gran Sultana also runs to San José del Sur. Always confirm with the ferry office before you travel.
Ferry or lancha: which one to take
Ferries are the big boats. They carry people, motorbikes and cars, and they are more stable on the water. Lanchas are smaller wooden boats for passengers only. They are cheaper and more rustic, and they move more when the lake is rough. If you get seasick, take a ferry. The Rey de Cocibolca is the largest and most comfortable one.
Tickets and prices
- Ferry ticket: about 50 córdobas per person
- Lancha ticket: a little less, around 35 to 40 córdobas
- Port entrance for foreigners: 1 USD
- Children under 5 travel free
- Car or pickup: just under 20 USD in total, with taxes and driver ticket
You buy your ticket at the window of the boat company. You do not need a tour operator at the port. Just go straight to the office of the ferry you want.
How to book the ferry to Ometepe
Foot passengers and motorbikes do not need a reservation. Simply arrive at the port and buy your ticket. Motorbikes go on the ferries when there is space, so arrive early to join the line.
Cars and pickups must book in advance, especially on weekends, holidays and in high season. Offices speak Spanish only, so it helps to say if your vehicle is a “carro” (car) or a “camioneta” (pickup). With a vehicle, be at the port at least 1 hour before departure to confirm your place and register it at the main port office.
Ferry Arcia (Ferry Ometepe I and III, to Moyogalpa): +505 8966 4983, +505 2569 4284, +505 8966 4981
Rey de Cocibolca and La Gran Sultana (to San José del Sur): +505 2560 4172, +505 8691 3669, +505 8670 9848, +505 8465 0455
El Che Guevara (to Moyogalpa): +505 2563 4779, +505 2569 4116, +505 2569 4101
Ferry Cacique (to Moyogalpa): +505 8658 8047, +505 8903 9770, +505 5708 4297, +505 8631 2654
The offices are not always easy to reach by phone, so be patient and try more than one number. Outside holidays there is often space during the day, even without a reservation.
No reservation for your car? You can leave it in the guarded parking at San Jorge port for a small daily fee, and rent a scooter at El Zopilote Hostel once you arrive.
Which port is closer to El Zopilote Hostel
San José del Sur is the closest port to El Zopilote eco hostel and the Maderas side of the island. Moyogalpa has more boats, ATMs and shops. From both ports you can take a bus or a taxi to our permaculture farm and hostel. Read all the details in How to Get to El Zopilote.
Tips for a smooth crossing
- Morning boats are usually calmer, the lake gets windy in the afternoon
- Try to reach the island before 1:30 pm so you do not miss the last buses
- Gasoline cannot travel on boats or ferries
- Carrying goods may mean paying a port tax
- Keep your passport or ID with you, the port asks for your name and nationality
What El Zopilote offers on Ometepe Island
Once you are off the ferry, El Zopilote is a great base on the quiet Maderas side of Ometepe. We are a permaculture farm, eco hostel and Sustainability Learning Center, running since 2002 and almost completely off-grid, with solar power, compost toilets and rainwater harvesting.
- Stay: dorms, private cabins, hammocks and camping in the middle of the farm. See Hostel & Booking.
- Eat: our farm-to-table restaurant, with oyster mushrooms grown on the farm, and the famous Pizza Night every Tuesday and Saturday with fire show and music.
- Discover the farm: the permaculture farm tour, free for guests, and the mushroom lab tour.
- Relax and connect: daily yoga, temazcal, breathwork and the cacao ceremony.
- Learn: chocolate workshop, sourdough bread, mushroom growing and permaculture courses.
- Take home: natural products, cacao and handmade drums from our farm shop.
- Explore the island: Maderas Volcano hike, San Ramón Waterfall, Ojo de Agua and scooter rental.
- Stay longer: join our volunteer program.
Planning your stay? See how to book your stay at El Zopilote Hostel, or write to us on our contacts page. We look forward to welcoming you at El Zopilote eco hostel on Ometepe Island.
