Ometepe Ferry Times: San Jorge to Moyogalpa & San José del Sur

Information checked: September 2026

For most travellers going to Ometepe, the ferry from San Jorge is the simplest way to cross Lake Nicaragua. Most departures go to Moyogalpa, while a smaller number go to San José del Sur.

You do not need to make the process complicated if you are travelling on foot. Arrive at Puerto San Jorge, go to the clearly signposted ticket windows, say which port you want, pay in cash and wait for boarding.

There are also smaller passenger boats, usually called lanchas. They can be useful if the timing suits you, but for the vast majority of travellers we recommend taking one of the larger ferries: they are more comfortable, better with luggage and generally a nicer crossing if the lake is choppy.

Ometepe ferry: quick answer

Current San Jorge to Ometepe ferry times

The timetable below is the current working schedule we have checked for September 2026. Weather, maintenance and operational changes can affect individual departures, so if one particular sailing is essential to your trip, confirm it again at the port.

San Jorge → Moyogalpa

San Jorge → San José del Sur

Ometepe to San Jorge ferry times

If you are planning the return journey, these are the current working departure times from the island.

Moyogalpa → San Jorge

San José del Sur → San Jorge

Moyogalpa or San José del Sur?

For most first-time visitors, Moyogalpa is usually the simplest arrival point. It has the largest choice of sailings and plenty of onward transport once you arrive.

San José del Sur can make more sense if your accommodation is substantially closer to that side of the island. Before choosing a boat, check where you are actually staying: Ometepe is much larger than it looks when you first see it on a map.

If you are unsure, ask your accommodation which port will give you the easiest onward journey rather than automatically choosing the next departure.

Ferry or lancha: which should you take?

For the vast majority of travellers, we would choose a proper ferry.

The larger ferries are more comfortable, handle luggage more easily and tend to feel more stable when the lake is rough. They are also the option you need if you are taking a vehicle.

The smaller lanchas are more basic passenger boats. They can be perfectly usable and sometimes fit your timing better, but the ride feels more exposed and there is more movement on choppy days.

If you deliberately want the slightly more adventurous local option, take the lancha. If you simply want to get to Ometepe comfortably, take the ferry.

Some smaller lanchas do not run every day, particularly on Sundays, so do not build a tight connection around one without checking.

How to buy your ferry ticket at San Jorge

The ticket process is straightforward and clearly signposted.

Walk to the ticket area, tell the staff whether you are travelling to Moyogalpa or San José del Sur, pay for the next suitable departure and then continue towards the boarding area.

For a foot passenger, we would still carry cash in córdobas. Around C$50 per person is a sensible budget for one ferry crossing, while some of the smaller boats cost slightly less.

You do not normally need to reserve a foot-passenger ticket days in advance. Arriving with enough time before the departure is more important.

How early should you arrive?

As a foot passenger, aim to be at Puerto San Jorge around 30 minutes before the departure you want.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, allow at least 45 minutes and arrange the vehicle space ahead of time. Ferry capacity for cars is limited, and the vehicle process is different from simply walking up with a backpack.

If you are connecting from a bus or shuttle on the mainland, we would rather give ourselves a little too much time at San Jorge than plan around a five-minute connection.

What is the crossing like?

The ferry crossing to Moyogalpa takes roughly an hour, sometimes a little longer. San José del Sur is further and normally takes closer to 80–90 minutes.

Lake Nicaragua can look almost like the sea when the wind picks up. On calm days the journey is easy; on windier days there can be considerably more movement.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is another reason we would choose one of the larger ferries rather than a small lancha.

Taking a car or motorbike to Ometepe

Vehicles can travel on the larger ferries, but this is the part of the journey we would organise rather than leave completely to chance.

Reserve vehicle space with your chosen ferry operator in advance and arrive earlier than you would as a foot passenger. Vehicle prices vary by category and operator, so confirm the current rate when you reserve rather than relying on an old tariff.

If you are using a rental vehicle, also confirm with the rental company that taking it onto Ometepe is permitted.

Getting to San Jorge from Granada

If San Jorge is only one part of your journey, remember that you still need to reach the port from the mainland.

From Granada, the independent route is normally a chicken bus to Rivas followed by a shared taxi to Puerto San Jorge. For the full step-by-step route, see our Granada to San Jorge and Ometepe guide. If you would rather avoid that change, Sunset Viaje runs a direct shared shuttle from central Granada to San Jorge.

See the Granada → San Jorge shared shuttle.

The ferry ticket is separate, so whichever mainland option you choose, leave enough time between arriving at San Jorge and the sailing you want.

Frequently asked questions

Where do ferries to Ometepe leave from?

From Puerto San Jorge, close to Rivas on the mainland.

How much is the ferry to Ometepe?

Budget around C$50 per person for a normal ferry crossing. Some smaller lanchas are slightly cheaper.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance?

Normally not as a foot passenger. If you are taking a vehicle, reserve space ahead.

How long is the ferry to Ometepe?

Around 60–70 minutes to Moyogalpa and roughly 80–90 minutes to San José del Sur.

Should I choose Moyogalpa or San José del Sur?

Moyogalpa is usually simplest for most visitors, but San José del Sur can be more convenient if your accommodation is closer to that side of the island.

Is the lancha safe?

The smaller boats are a normal part of local transport, but we recommend the larger ferries for most travellers because they are more comfortable and stable.

Can I take luggage on the ferry?

Yes. Normal travel luggage is straightforward on the larger ferries.

Can I take a car or motorbike to Ometepe?

Yes, on vehicle-carrying ferries. Reserve vehicle space ahead and confirm the current fare with the operator.

Travelling from Granada? Book the Granada → San Jorge shared shuttle, or ask Sunset Viaje if you are unsure how much time to allow for your ferry connection.