Organic Farm, Campsite, Guesthouse and Restaurant

Getting Here and Away

Casa Campestre and Cafe Campestre are in Balgue on the Maderas Volcano, about 2 hours by bus or 1 hour by Taxi from Moyogalpa. Scroll down for more detailed travel information.

Cafe Campestre - On arrival in Balgue look for the large tangerine coloured church on your right. We are the hospedaje on your left, clearly visible and well signed.

Casa Campestre - go out of the village and over the small river. We are 300m down the road on the right. Again we have a big wooden sign - "Casa Campestre". Go through the gate and follow the track. Set your stuff down, settle in and follow the track up to the house when your ready.

Getting to Ometepe
Ferry's - (Times listed at bottom of page)
There are 3 types ferry's to Ometepe
from Moyogalpa. The Cocibolca is the
large ferry, very smooth and luxurious,
takes cars and lorry's and goes to
San Jose Del Sur. There are 2 smaller
vehicle carrying ferry's which go to
Moyogalpa and then there are a number
of small wooden ferry's (Lancha's) which
are for people only. Depending on the
weather and how sea sick you get may
determine your option. Bigger = Smoother!

The Ferry's operate from Rivas (San Jorge) and from Granada.
Ferry's from San Jorge arrive at both Moyogalpa and San Jose Del Sur.
But what's the difference? The ferry that arrives at Moyogalpa lands you at a town with all facilities such Bank, Hospital, Internet Cafe and shops with supplies, taxi's and buses.
The Ferry arriving at San Jose del Sur arrives at a port with nothing to offer but is a good deal closer to Maderas volcano than arriving at Moyogalpa.
So, if you're organised before you get here and you get here quite early I think San Jose is better, but if you need to organise some supplies then come into Moyo as you can sort everything out from here, including Motorbikes which are hard/impossible to sort out anywhere else.

From Granada you arrive in Altagracia. This Ferry arrives late at night and so you have to stay in Altagracia. Altagracia has no banks and only a few shops, it does have internet (slow!) but it doesn't rent Motorbikes. It does have a museum and a really nice church, but otherwise Altagracia is really only of use if you are leaving the island for the Rio San Juan.

From Moyogalpa to Balgue (Bus times at the bottom of the page)
When you arrive at Moyogalpa you will be met by a heap of Taxista all offering you rides to your destination if you have chosen one or they will drive you to a number of places giving you the choice. Taxi's currently cost $30 to get you to Finca Magdelana and probably the same to Little Morgans and Zopilote as there is only a few kilometres difference. If there are 6 or more of you this is good value, otherwise its pricey, especially compared to the bus. Buses wwill meet you off the ferry also, except for the last ferry's of the day which wont get you to Balgue or Madronal. They'll get you as far as Altagracia only. There are plenty of places to stay in Moyogalpa though none are easily recommendable! And there's no good places to eat there either, its all Nica Tipica but prices are very fare.
You can rent a Motorbike from here. Lots of choice, look around.

From San Jose del Sur you are a bit pushed for options. The only sure fire reliable one is to walk up to the main road and wait for a bus. However, you might be lucky and hitch a ride or get a cab. One big benefit San Jose has over Moyogalpa is the Ferry. It is a luxury cruise to the island, definitely the best way to travel and arrive on Ometepe. So San Jose makes a great place to LEAVE from and the ferry leaves a 7.30am and you can get a great breakfast! I mean it! Served to you on china plate! Easier to get to from Balgue/Madronal/Santa Domingo when you're headed out also as its closer.

BOAT DEPARTURE TIMES - includes Ferry's and Lancha's

From San Jorge From Moyogalpa
7:45 AM 5:30 AM
8:30 AM 6:00 AM
9:00 AM 6:30 AM
10:30 AM 6:45 AM
11:00 AM 7:00 AM
12:00 PM 9:00 AM
12:30 PM 10:00 AM
1:40 PM 11:30 AM
2:30 PM 12:30 AM
4:00 PM 1:00 PM
4:30 PM 2:00 PM
5:00 PM 3:00 PM
5:45 PM 4:00 PM

BUS SCHEDULE

From Moyogalpa Monday to Saturday
8:20 AM Merida
10:20 AM Balgue
2:30 PM Merida
3:30 PM Balgue
4:30 PM Merida

Sunday
8:00 AM Balgue
9:00 AM Merida