Hotel Casa Istiam

Isla de Ometepe


About halfway between Playa Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz, with the beach right across the road and the Río Istiam out back, this basic hotel with unmemorable rooms has a decent restaurant that's open to the public.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Isla de Ometepe attractions

1. Isla Grande

3.57 MILES

Close to Altagracia, this island, basically a plantain finca (farm) gone feral, is rarely visited despite being a fantastic place for birdwatching. If you…

2. Volcán Maderas

3.99 MILES

Climbing this 1394m volcano is challenging but worthwhile. Guides are required for the seven- to eight-hour round-trip trek (with four to five hours of…

3. Cascada San Ramón

4.78 MILES

This stunning 40m waterfall is one of the jewels of the island. The 3.7km trail begins at the Estación Biológica de Ometepe. You can drive 2.2km up to the…

4. Monoliths

5.54 MILES

A place to see some of the finest remaining ancient excavated statues on Ometepe is beside the Altagracia church, close to the Parque Central, where a…

5. Museo de Ometepe

5.55 MILES

The village's main attraction is this museum packed with information (in Spanish) about the island. (Though you’ll find a much more comprehensive…

6. Reserva Charco Verde

6.19 MILES

Rich with wildlife and fringed with black-sand beaches, this wooded ecological reserve is a quiet spot for hiking, birdwatching and taking a dip in the…

7. Volcán Concepción

6.19 MILES

This massive (and active) volcano is an Ometepe landmark. The seven- to 10-hour hike up loose volcanic stone to the summit of this looming peak can be…

8. Museos El Ceibo

8.82 MILES

The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road,…