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Ferry times in both directions
San Jorge–Moyogalpa boats run throughout the day, with fewer Sunday and public-holiday sailings. Weather and maintenance can change departures. The timetable separates the two directions and marks passenger-only lanchas.
| Monday–Saturday |
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| Sunday |
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| Monday–Saturday |
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| Sunday |
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Marked sailings are passenger-only lanchas. Sunday’s listed departures are ferries. Times use the local 24-hour clock. Public holidays can have reduced service even on a weekday; lake conditions and maintenance can also change departures.
The first Moyogalpa return is 5:30 a.m. Monday–Saturday or 6 a.m. Sunday. The last San Jorge departure here is 5:45 p.m. Add ticketing, boarding and unloading to the 60–70-minute crossing.
Passenger tickets and the separate port charges
Budget for the boat and port separately; each has its own payment.
| Charge | Budget amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry passenger | C$50 (about US$1.40) per person | One crossing; C$ means Nicaraguan córdobas. |
| Passenger lancha | C$35 (about US$1) per person | One crossing on the smaller passenger-only boat. |
| San Jorge visitor port charge | US$1 per person | Separate entry charge toward the island. |
| Motorbike or scooter | Additional C$50 (about US$1.40) per bike | The bike, with its rider’s passenger ticket and applicable port charges paid separately. |
Bring cash for the port and tickets. A vehicle entering the port can also incur the vehicle gate charge.
Car and pickup charges depend on the vehicle and operator; a vehicle reservation needs the passenger and port costs included in the total.
Tickets for foot passengers
Foot passengers normally buy their ticket at San Jorge on arrival rather than booking ahead. Aim to reach the port about 45 minutes before sailing, with cash and passport details handy. It leaves time for separate payments and boarding.
- Find the next sailing specifically to Moyogalpa and identify its ferry company.
- Pay the applicable port charge and buy the passenger ticket at the company’s window. Keep the receipts.
- Give the requested name and passport details for the passenger manifest.
- Follow the crew’s boarding and luggage directions; larger ferries and lanchas have different loading arrangements.
The mainland road journey ends at San Jorge, before these port stops.
A larger ferry or a passenger lancha?
A larger ferry is the steadier ride with bulky bags or when the lake is choppy, especially for travelers who find boat movement uncomfortable. Both larger ferries and smaller wooden lanchas take foot passengers. Lanchas carry passengers only; their marked departures in the timetable are for travelers leaving vehicles on the mainland.
Sunday’s shorter timetable has ferry departures only. A larger ferry is the more comfortable pick with luggage or a preference for a steadier ride.
Moyogalpa or San José del Sur?
San Jorge serves two island ports. Moyogalpa lands beside the western town; San José del Sur is farther along the island road, with an approximately 80-minute crossing. Take a Moyogalpa sailing for a town hotel. For Balgüe or Mérida, give the island driver the actual arrival port and boat time.
Off the boat in Moyogalpa
Hotel Ometepetl is 70 varas east of the port. A room here keeps the first or last night beside the landing, with a pool and restaurant between boat journeys. Soma is about fifteen minutes away on foot. Tuk-tuks meet arrivals for bags and farther rooms; agree the vehicle total before leaving.
Photo: AgodaDel Puerto de Moyogalpa 70 varas al Este, Moyogalpa.
Hotel Ometepetl
The ferry-first choice for a short stay with a pool and restaurant close at hand.
Double Room · 1 double bed · up to 2 adults · Private bathroom
- Cooling
- Air conditioning
- Agoda reviews
- 9.3/10 · 4 reviews
Balgüe, Santa Cruz and Mérida need a separate island bus or transfer. Send a booked driver any change in boat or port. For a town night, leave the bags and enjoy Moyogalpa’s waterfront and places to eat.
Vehicles, reservations and loading
Cars and pickups need outward and return reservations. Give the operator the date, sailing, vehicle type, registration and passenger count. Arrive at least an hour before departure. Motorbikes and scooters usually queue for a vehicle ferry on arrival; both the bike and rider need payment.
A hire car needs the rental company’s permission for the ferry and island roads. Guarded mainland parking charges by the day; crossing on foot leaves the car at San Jorge.
The San Jorge vehicle checkpoints
Keep receipts together through San Jorge’s vehicle checkpoints:
- First gate: give the reservation time and obtain passenger port-fee receipts.
- Passenger booth: give the passenger count; collect tickets and the vehicle receipt.
- Caja window: pay the separate vehicle/goods charge.
- Second checkpoint: show receipts; enter each name and passport number on the manifest.
- Ramp: follow loading signals. Passengers may board separately from the vehicle.
Ferry company contacts
Use the company operating your intended sailing for vehicle reservations, with both crossings in the request.
- Ferry Ometepe, San Jorge: +505 8966 4981
- Ferry Ometepe, Moyogalpa: +505 8966 4983
- El Che Guevara: +505 5785 2065
- Cacique Nicarao: +505 8903 9770
- Rey de Cocibolca / La Gran Sultana: +505 5736 6422
The return crossing and mainland connections
Ferry and onward road tickets are separate, so leave a gap between the San Jorge arrival and the mainland connection. Add ticketing, boarding and unloading to the time on the water.
A final Moyogalpa night shortens the island approach to an early boat. A mainland night puts the lake crossing on the previous day. Rivas still leaves the road journey to Managua Airport; the earliest flights favour an airport-area stay. On the island, a San José del Sur departure needs the transfer to that port, separate from a Moyogalpa sailing.
