zapatera island

Everyone in town will offer to take you on a tour- the cost will range from $30-$45 dollars for a few hours, transport and the boat ride. The truth is that you can take a scenic walk to the boats (it's about 20 mins through the park) and then negotiate your own price- about $10pp! It's the same tour, but you can pick your captain and go at your own pace. We ended up getting our own private ride since we came later in the morning, after most of the tourist groups had gone out. It's a nice little trip and fun to see all of the million dollar homes people have build on private islands. Make sure to enjoy a drink on one of the islands before heading home!

Zapateado Island is a mysterious and difficult destination to travel to but can be well worth the trip if you are looking for that unique experience.The island is inhabited by maybe 2000 people but the size and traditional lifestyle make you feel as if you are traveling back in time.There is no electricity other than solar or ovation all generator....it is a island of fishermen and their families and has been for over a thousand years. There is bountiful evidence of the cultural past on the island. The major stone idols in the Coventry in Granada were pulled out of a lagoon by Squire on Zapatera. The Isla el Muerto, a small island off the main island is a great place to see very large petroglyphs in a ceremonial platform. The main island is good to hike..locals will have to show you the way as there is very little tourist infrastructure on Zapatera.The biggest reason Zapatera is not more visited or developed is because of the lack of transportation to the island. Islanders have their own way of networking to get to Granada and the island..... If you hang out at the Puerto de Asese you could get a one way for a couple of bucks.....but there is the issue of getting back. Private boat out of Asese for the day is $100 minimum. Tourist guides in Granda will charge more..... The best thing is to get a group of people to get the cost per person down, get a good boat that will get you there in about an hour and a half, someone who knows the island to get you around and come back the same day.Everyone goes to Ometepe for great reason.....if you want a more raw, rustic feel for a cultural island with great people go to Zapatera and you will have an experience that few people who live in or visit Nicaragua ever have.

The boat ride to the island included a stop to see howler monkeys on a small island. The cabins were nicely done with a hammock on the porch for relaxing. A hike to the lagoon was rigorous. Take a walking stick, water and wear sturdy shoes. Lunch was tasty. We we also introduced to a favorite beverage. Flor de Ca`na Rum. Aged 7 yrs.

A reason why Nicaragua is different than any other destination. visit the island and you'll know why

In February, we hired a private tour to Zapatera Island, island guide and lunch was to be supplied, trip got postponed a few days since they could not accommodate us on the chosen date. After an hour bumpy boat ride in 4 foot waves, we reached the pier at the island and greeted by a young woman who was the guide and another person to describe the island history, two payments, however, it was the same person, all in Spanish. Luckily our tour operator was with us to translate and also he was surprised no lunch, we had no food with us, only water. The trek was relatively short, guide was tired and at times yawned (bored?) while we paused at a bench.We felt very unwelcomed at the island, their picnic area abandoned, would not sell us any handicrafts being made AND it was a short 2 hour visit for a lot of money.Suggest go some place else where you are appreciated.

Es recomendable visitar la isla Zapatera, un antiguo santuario cuyas colecciones arqueologicas se encuentran en el ex-convento de San Francisco en Granada. Frente al Hotel Bahia Zapatera se encuentra la isla El Muerto con petrogligos de gran interés. Organizan visitas desde el propio hotel.

Exelente lugar para visitar y explorar vestigios de Idigenas; historia, aventura y descanso..una isla paradiciaca fuera de la ciudad ..