The classic arrival is the San Jorge ferry from near Rivas, and that last boat ride across the lake is what makes Ometepe feel like a real change of scene. Most backpackers come by bus to Rivas, then take a local bus or short taxi to San Jorge, then board a ferry to Moyogalpa, usually C$50 and about 60 to 70 minutes. Some boats go to San José del Sur instead, so check your accommodation location first. Sundays have fewer departures, and tight same-day connections are a bad idea here.

December to April is the easy answer, clearer skies, drier roads, and better odds for volcano hikes and scooter days. March is especially dry, while April gets hotter, around 31°C, and San Ramón Waterfall can be disappointing or dry late in the season. May and November are decent shoulder months if you do not mind some rain. August can be mixed, green and beautiful, but muddy. September and October are the wettest months, with rougher roads, messier trails, and fewer smooth travel days.

Cash first, island second. ATMs are mainly in Moyogalpa, with less backup elsewhere, so arriving with enough cordobas saves hassle. Some places take dollars, but local currency usually works out better. Internet is the weak point, fine for messages in some stays, frustrating for calls or real remote work, especially outside common areas. Power and Wi-Fi can both feel rural. Distances are bigger than they look, buses are slow, and renting wheels helps a lot if you want freedom.

The main risk on Ometepe is transport, not street drama. Roads can be rough, dusty, potholed, and muddy in rain, and scooter crashes are common enough that overconfidence looks expensive fast. Stray dogs can also chase bikes and motorbikes, which is funny until it is not. Concepción is a serious hike, hot, steep, and tiring even for fit people, so start early and do not treat it like a casual walk. Keep valuables close around ferry docks and transit points, especially during busy boarding times.