Bus from Ometepe to San Jorge
Car & passenger ferry · ~1 hour · $3–$8 USD · Multiple daily sailings
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The Ometepe → San Jorge crossing is the ferry leg that begins every departure from the island — the car-and-passenger boat from Moyogalpa back to the mainland port of San Jorge, next to Rivas. Because Ometepe has no road link, this ~1-hour sailing is the single, unavoidable exit before any onward bus.
The crossing is run by the lake's car ferries — Ferry Rey del Cocibolca and Ferry Che Guevara — under the national port authority Empresa Portuaria Nacional (EPN). Spring Bus connects you to these operators and to the onward road transfers from San Jorge, so your ferry crossing and continuing bus line up cleanly.
Route details: Ometepe to San Jorge
Travel time
1 h
Distance
18 km
Typical fare
$3 – $8 USD per person
Frequency
Multiple daily sailings
First departure
Approx. 5:30 AM
Last departure
Approx. 5:00 PM
Operators on this route
Ferry Rey del Cocibolca · Ferry Che Guevara · Empresa Portuaria Nacional (EPN)
Pickup at Ometepe
Moyogalpa ferry dock
Drop-off at San Jorge
San Jorge ferry port
About the journey
This is the ferry itself in reverse — the Moyogalpa–San Jorge crossing, the only way off Ometepe Island. From Moyogalpa, the island's main port, the car-and-passenger ferries make the ~18 km, roughly 1-hour crossing of Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) to the mainland port of San Jorge, beside Rivas. The big boats — Ferry Rey del Cocibolca and Ferry Che Guevara — take vehicles as well as foot passengers, so cars and motorbikes ride along. As you leave, the Concepción volcano towers behind the stern and slowly shrinks across the water. Mornings are calmest; afternoon winds can make the lake rough and even delay sailings. Buy your ticket at the Moyogalpa dock, board early for a deck seat, and time your crossing so onward buses from San Jorge to Rivas are still running. This ~1-hour ferry leg is the mandatory first step of leaving Ometepe.
Travel tips for Ometepe → San Jorge
- Confirm the Moyogalpa timetable the night before — the last sailing off the island is earlier than many travelers expect.
- Take an early crossing for the calmest lake and the widest choice of onward buses from San Jorge.
- Use the larger car ferries on windy mornings; they handle the waves far better than small lanchas.
- Reserve vehicle space ahead in high season if you're bringing a car or motorbike off the island.
- Pay cash at the Moyogalpa port window for the fare and dock fee, just a few dollars each.
- Plan your San Jorge connection — a short bus or taxi reaches Rivas, the hub for Granada, Managua and the border.
Frequently asked questions
Is this just the ferry off the island?
**Yes — Ometepe to San Jorge is the ferry crossing itself**, from Moyogalpa to the mainland port of San Jorge. It is the **only way off the island**.
How long does the crossing take?
**About 1 hour** from Moyogalpa to San Jorge, depending on the boat and lake conditions.
What does the ferry cost?
**Only about $3–$8 USD** as a foot passenger, paid in cash at the Moyogalpa dock. Vehicles are charged extra.
Can I bring a vehicle off the island?
**Yes.** The **Rey del Cocibolca and Che Guevara** carry cars and motorbikes. Reserve space in advance during busy periods.
What's at San Jorge when I arrive?
San Jorge is the **mainland ferry port near Rivas**. From the dock a short bus or taxi reaches the Rivas terminal for onward travel.
Going the other direction?