Isla Ometepe (Santa Cruz Hostel)

Taking the cheap ferry from Rivas you can already see the two huge volcanoes arising in the horizon on Central America's largest lake in Nicaragua. Arrived there shuttles bring you to the most touristic part of the island to Santa Cruz, even though there are just a few hostels and shops in lonely nature along the one street that goes around the island. As result, the fun way to discover the island was renting motorcycles and driving around the island on dusty and bumpy roads with pigs, horses, chickens and cows crossing your way. The places to go are the San Ramon waterfall (includes a 3k hike that is actually a very tough 6k!) and the fresh water springs (much more relaxing).

Nicaragua is a cheap place to travel and you'll find nice and very helpful people there, but also the contrary. Therefore, memo to myself: never again be the only tourist and perfect victim arriving at the border and have your phone obvious in the pocket! It was a shame losing the best pictures of this trip to a greedy person.Read more