Guidebook for Balgüe
Food Scene
Best pizza and ravioli on the island. Casual ambience, fabulous service and good wine. Pasta and mains all day, pizza oven fired up from 5.30-8.30pm
12 locals recommend
Pizzeria Mediterranea bar ristorante
NN-226Best pizza and ravioli on the island. Casual ambience, fabulous service and good wine. Pasta and mains all day, pizza oven fired up from 5.30-8.30pm
Consistently ranked #1 restaurant on Ometepe on TripAdvisor, Café Campestre offers a wide variety of fresh foods made from organic and locally sourced ingredients, including sandwiches, pastas, salads, Indian curries, smoothies, alcoholic beverages, and desserts. They are open 12:00-9:00pm seven days a week (last hot food orders are taken at 8:00pm). A 20-25 minute walk from the house. We also arrange food delivery for Jungle House guests, seven days a week, bringing the food straight to your door.
13 locals recommend
Café Campestre
Consistently ranked #1 restaurant on Ometepe on TripAdvisor, Café Campestre offers a wide variety of fresh foods made from organic and locally sourced ingredients, including sandwiches, pastas, salads, Indian curries, smoothies, alcoholic beverages, and desserts. They are open 12:00-9:00pm seven days a week (last hot food orders are taken at 8:00pm). A 20-25 minute walk from the house. We also arrange food delivery for Jungle House guests, seven days a week, bringing the food straight to your door.
Drinks & Nightlife
Chill vibes, late night drinks and yummy bar snacks. The great staff on hand in a super-relaxed environment.
7 locals recommend
Cafe Restaurant Clandestino
Chill vibes, late night drinks and yummy bar snacks. The great staff on hand in a super-relaxed environment.
El Bamboo is an Argentinian grill and bar open Mondays-Saturdays until 10:00pm (last food orders taken around 9:00pm). Closed on Sundays. Located in the middle of Balgüe, a 20-minute walk from the house. Also offers vegetarian options and many mixed beverages to choose from.
8 locals recommend
El bamboo
El Bamboo is an Argentinian grill and bar open Mondays-Saturdays until 10:00pm (last food orders taken around 9:00pm). Closed on Sundays. Located in the middle of Balgüe, a 20-minute walk from the house. Also offers vegetarian options and many mixed beverages to choose from.
Sightseeing
A beautiful place to get off of the beaten track and even catch the sun rise in the east.
7 locals recommend
Punta Gorda
A beautiful place to get off of the beaten track and even catch the sun rise in the east.
Embark on a guided 3-hour kayaking tour at Caballito de Mar in Mérida, journeying on the calm lake up to the Istiam River. Guide included who points out various species of birds, turtles, monkeys, etc. Caballito de Mar also includes a restaurant and tranquil, sandy beach area.
6 locals recommend
Restaurante Caballito
Al CaballitoEmbark on a guided 3-hour kayaking tour at Caballito de Mar in Mérida, journeying on the calm lake up to the Istiam River. Guide included who points out various species of birds, turtles, monkeys, etc. Caballito de Mar also includes a restaurant and tranquil, sandy beach area.
A crystal-clear natural swimming pool area, of water running from an underground stream. Plenty of lawn chairs, benches, shady spots, and even a rope to swing and jump in "Tarzan style." Also offers food and drinks in a restaurant area.
14 locals recommend
Ojo de Agua station
Carretera El Quino a Santa CruzA crystal-clear natural swimming pool area, of water running from an underground stream. Plenty of lawn chairs, benches, shady spots, and even a rope to swing and jump in "Tarzan style." Also offers food and drinks in a restaurant area.
Parks & Nature
If you're looking for a short hike, try the trail to the 50-meter waterfall above the town of San Ramón. From the main road, you can drive up the gravel road (motorcycle or 4x4 vehicle recommended) to the halfway point, then continue on foot for a 1-hour hike up to the waterfall. Can also wade in the water (knee- to waist-deep). NO guide required!
7 locals recommend
San Ramon
If you're looking for a short hike, try the trail to the 50-meter waterfall above the town of San Ramón. From the main road, you can drive up the gravel road (motorcycle or 4x4 vehicle recommended) to the halfway point, then continue on foot for a 1-hour hike up to the waterfall. Can also wade in the water (knee- to waist-deep). NO guide required!
Punta Jesús María
A sandy beach area jutting out into the freshwater lake.
Long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach area. Take a dip in the freshwater lake, then have a snack or smoothie at one of the several small restaurants just across the street from the beach.
Santa Cruz
Long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach area. Take a dip in the freshwater lake, then have a snack or smoothie at one of the several small restaurants just across the street from the beach.
Long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach area. Great spot to enjoy the breeze and the freshwater lake. You can get refreshments at any of the various hotels and restaurants right on the beach area.
Santo Domingo station
Carretera El Quino a Santa CruzLong stretch of uncrowded sandy beach area. Great spot to enjoy the breeze and the freshwater lake. You can get refreshments at any of the various hotels and restaurants right on the beach area.
Embark from the house to take a guided hike to the "hidden" waterfall of Las Cuchillas, a secluded town high up on the volcano slope. The waterfall is the source of drinking water for the town, so there is a small pool provided for swimming. Hike is about 5 hours round trip from the house.
Las Cuchillas
Embark from the house to take a guided hike to the "hidden" waterfall of Las Cuchillas, a secluded town high up on the volcano slope. The waterfall is the source of drinking water for the town, so there is a small pool provided for swimming. Hike is about 5 hours round trip from the house.
Finca Magdalena is a local-run hostel, restaurant, and farming cooperative just 10 minutes' walk from the house. A neat place to relax or walk around the old hacienda and coffee harvesting areas. Also the entrance point for hiking up the Maderas volcano (guide required) or walking to see nearby petroglyph rock carvings.
7 locals recommend
Hostel Finca Magdalena
Finca Magdalena is a local-run hostel, restaurant, and farming cooperative just 10 minutes' walk from the house. A neat place to relax or walk around the old hacienda and coffee harvesting areas. Also the entrance point for hiking up the Maderas volcano (guide required) or walking to see nearby petroglyph rock carvings.
Hike to the lagoon crater of the (inactive) Maderas volcano (guide required). The full hike is about 8 hours round-trip from the house, or 3-4 hours round-trip to the "mirador" halfway lookout point. The trail entrance at Finca Magdalena is a 10-minute walk from the house. We can organize a hike for you that includes a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and packed lunches.
24 locals recommend
Maderas
Hike to the lagoon crater of the (inactive) Maderas volcano (guide required). The full hike is about 8 hours round-trip from the house, or 3-4 hours round-trip to the "mirador" halfway lookout point. The trail entrance at Finca Magdalena is a 10-minute walk from the house. We can organize a hike for you that includes a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and packed lunches.
Hike to the crater of the active Concepción volcano (guide required). The full hike is about 10 hours round-trip from the house, departing at 5:00am to take a short bus ride across the isthmus to the trail entrance. We can organize a hike for you that includes a bilingual guide, all transport and entrance fees, and packed lunches.
10 locals recommend
Concepción
Hike to the crater of the active Concepción volcano (guide required). The full hike is about 10 hours round-trip from the house, departing at 5:00am to take a short bus ride across the isthmus to the trail entrance. We can organize a hike for you that includes a bilingual guide, all transport and entrance fees, and packed lunches.
Arts & Culture
El Ceibo is a major Museum in the Ometepe island, The museum requires multilateral support to increase the exhibition area as well as scientific research on many pieces, to enhance information about the articles and to support scientific studies of the important archaeological area. Located 35min by scooters from house.
18 locals recommend
Hotel Museos El Ceibo
El Ceibo is a major Museum in the Ometepe island, The museum requires multilateral support to increase the exhibition area as well as scientific research on many pieces, to enhance information about the articles and to support scientific studies of the important archaeological area. Located 35min by scooters from house.
Finca El Porvenir is a local-run hostel and farming cooperative just 25 minutes' walk from the house. A neat place to relax or walk around the old hacienda and coffee harvesting areas. Also the entrance point for hiking up the Maderas volcano (guide required) or walking to see nearby petroglyph rock carvings.
7 locals recommend
Hotel Finca El Porvenir
Ometepe, cerro Maderas Hotel Finca El PorvenirFinca El Porvenir is a local-run hostel and farming cooperative just 25 minutes' walk from the house. A neat place to relax or walk around the old hacienda and coffee harvesting areas. Also the entrance point for hiking up the Maderas volcano (guide required) or walking to see nearby petroglyph rock carvings.
Essentials
15 minutes on foot to the center of town. Grocery stores (pulperias), bus stops, fruit stands, health center and labrotory, pharmacy, shoe repair, nacatamales (a local specialty), gasoline etc
9 locals recommend
Balgue
15 minutes on foot to the center of town. Grocery stores (pulperias), bus stops, fruit stands, health center and labrotory, pharmacy, shoe repair, nacatamales (a local specialty), gasoline etc
Entertainment & Activities
This is a lovely trail to do with the family as its a more relaxed hike with little incline or slope. Read about the myth and legend surrounding the witch and her son. Small entry fee. Also offer a a expirence of adrenalin with the Chico Largo zipline.
Charco Verde station
This is a lovely trail to do with the family as its a more relaxed hike with little incline or slope. Read about the myth and legend surrounding the witch and her son. Small entry fee. Also offer a a expirence of adrenalin with the Chico Largo zipline.