Description
The natural reserve Charco Verde is a protected area located between the two volcanoes of Ometepe, at the bottom part of the island. The area encompasses a lagoon, forest, and a beach.
The lagoon is called Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and it is closed off from the lake by only a thin strip of land. The lagoon provides a shelter place for many birds.
The beach of Charco Verde is one of the best beaches on Ometepe. The quiet and rather private beach called Bancon is perfect for swimming and relaxing. You can hike through the forest to this beach and back to the entrance of the reserve, which will take around one hour if you do not stop at the beach. During the hike you can enjoy the nature and you can also observe the main land which is visible on the horizon from this side of the island.
At the entrance of the reserve there is a hotel (hotel Charco Verde) where another great beach is located. The hotel provides dressing rooms and there is also a restaurant where you can have a drink or eat a meal. At the hotel, kayaks are also available for rent. From your kayak you can explore the coast and you can even enter the lagoon. If you have a fishing rod, you can also fish from your kayak!
You can enter Charco Verde at the hotel. An entrance fee of less than one dollar should be paid, which also includes use of the dressing room and shower of the hotel.
Getting There
You can find this natural reserve around kilometer 12 of the road from Moyogalpa to Altagracia. There is a huge sign next to the road.
Online Reservations
We have 1 related tour(s) available that can be booked online.
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From US$45.00
Ometepe Culture and Nature Tour
By: Unión de Guías de Ometepe
Comments
Celia wrote on Jan 18, 2010:
My grown daughter and I spent the day at the Hotel at Charco Verde last summer. At first we were disappointed that our only day on the island it was raining. No problem! We enjoyed lounging around in the covered outdoor restaurant, where we could have drinks and small meals all day. During breaks in the weather we took a beautiful short hike on the trail around the lagoon and to the beach (I'm not able to do the challenging hikes anymore, so this was perfect!). We saw howler monkeys and beautiful flowers and birds. We didn't stay overnight, but took a look at the rooms - by far the nicest low-priced rooms we saw in Nicaragua. The ferry ride was comfortable with stunning views. People told us not to go to Ometepe unless we had more time, but even one day was worth it. It feels very magical and the locals all tell you how special it is and how much they love living there. Many friendly, bi-lingual people in Moyogalpa to help you figure out how to get around.
Haney Armstrong wrote on Dec 9, 2008:
This was the most wonderful place in all of Nicaragua. We stayed two nights and I went swimming about 6 times. The staff was great. They spoke to us in Spanish until they realized we didn't speak it, and easily switched to English. Very friendly. It's easy to kyack. The trail to the reserve was washed out but we took a kyack into the lagoon and hiked into the reserve. We saw monkeys in the trees nearby. A small heard of cattle came down the beach one day. Fishermen off shore. The food was quite good and practically free compared to San Francisco resturants. Spectacular sunset. Totally over the top. I liked it.
James Bierman wrote on Jul 22, 2007:
We stayed at the Hotel Charco Verde in one of their bungalows. Our son McKinley loved playing with the owners son Emilio. The "hotel" occupies a really nice piece of land right on the shores of Lago de Nicaragua (45 minute taxi ride from Moyagalpa docks). The reserve and lagoon are adjacent to the hotel and from the beach you can see the active Volcan Santiago. We strolled along the path into the reserve where I stopped for a swim in the nearby lagoon. Only later did I read that the lagoon is home to crocodiles....but I did make it back to shore with all my limbs. The lagoon water was very refreshing after a walk into the reserve where Howler Monkeys live in the tree tops. The food was pretty good, the bungalow was perfect for our family of 3. There are several covered patios with hammocks and an old growth tree providing lots of shade. Sit around on the black sand beach and watch the sun set over the lake. It's a beautiful sight! I'd have to say that our time on Isla de Ometpe at the Charco Verde Hotel & Reserve was the best time we had in all of Nicaragua. This is a great place to come as a family.
Julie wrote on Jan 6, 2007:
we spent the afternoon at Charco Verde... took the fairy over in the morning, paid a taxi to get us there, and then left around 4. There were lookouts to hike to, monkeys, a small walk around, food, and a beach... nice place to relax and spend some time. There were 2 Nicaraguas that were helping us out all week while we toured and they recommended it, and it ended up being a really nice! Met some people staying there too, and they really liked it..but I didnt actually go into the hotel myself.