fabaltodano
We got married in Nicaragua and for our honeymoon we traveled all over the country; one of our first stops was Isla Ometepe and friends recommended hiking up to the San Ramon waterfall. We were coming from Sn Juan del Sur and did not have the proper gear for this hike but nonetheless we decided to tackle it.When you first get to the Natural Reserve there's a gate where you pay per person but get no advise as to what to expect of the hike. They don't charge for minors but neither do they tell you that the hike is not recommended for anybody younger than 12 yrs. unless you plan to help/carry them on the way up and down. You drive up about 1/2 mile to where you leave your vehicle and then start the hike which is about a mile long up the mountain. The trail is for the most part well signaled and we found a security/guide half way up the trail so getting lost is not a problem. I recommend taking your time thru it don't rush it, take breaks as you go up, drink plenty of fluids and wear hiking shoes or sneakers.Once you get to the dry bed of the river you have about another 15 minute hike which are the most strenuous. When you finally arrive at the waterfall the water is cold and crisp, the views are stunning and you completely forget about the arduous journey.Make sure when you go you have enough time to get back before dark, going up is a little over an hour trek and the way down about 45 minutes.There are tours that rent horses but they wont go all the way up.Overall it was quite an experience, I'm not used to nature hikes but after this I will be looking forward to more such trips.Fernando
larosca603
This waterfall was gorgeous, huge! It is quite the hike to get up there- we rented horses from the place right outside the waterfall entrance and it was about an hour each way, plus we had to hike/ scramble the last bit of the way and leave the horses tied to a tree. Totally worth it, clean fresh cold water is such a treat at the end of the excursion.
AnnS800Boston
There are 2 ways to get to the waterfall. You can get a 4 wheel drive car which will take you partially (not all of the way) to the waterfall or you can walk from the biological station by the lake. We took scooters from our hotel ( it does get bumpy on the dirt road but doable) and then walked from the bottom. The signs say 3km to the top but this doesn't seem right - the longest and hardest part (which everyone must walk) is the last 1km which seems much longer. What makes the hike difficult is the heat - be sure to wear good shoes (it is rocky) and bring plenty of water (don't worry about using it all since you can fill up at the waterfall). At the top you are rewarded with a cool down shower under the waterfall.
americangirl61
It is not a hike for the fragile, thats for sure... I was traveling solo, so I grabbed a guide, if your are a couple or a group, its could be done on your own. My guide Ricardo, was so great...had lots of fun knowledge, and info, and kept a steady stream of talk going, which helped me not to think about my burning quads, and shaking calves...BUT, at the top, it was beautiful...there had been alot of rain (dry season, I doubt its so impressive) so the falls, were really crashing....the water is really cold, and even after a hot sweaty hike, I didn't want to swim. I did wade in and it was really really cold! The last quarter is a a bit dicey back and forth over the stream, with lots of big rocks to negotiate. Entrance was only $3, so if you are up for a bit of a hike.....it is definitely worth the effort. Wear good tennis shoes, or hiking boots/shoes, NO flipflops, and some bug spray before you start the hike would be a good idea....Take your time, and enjoy teh area, lots of great views, going up and coming down.
billiejean080
This was a pretty brutal hike, especially with the last 1km being straight uphill on rugged terrain - but once you get to the top, it is incredible. This waterfall is beautiful and refreshing, and well worth the butt-burning hike!
ab810
This was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Nicaragua. Half nature walk, half climbing- this was the perfect combination of peaceful and challenging (although definitely not too difficult). It probably goes without saying, but definitely wear tennis shoes or boots. The howler monkeys provided the soundtrack to an amazing day and there was something different around every turn. Finally reaching the waterfall and seeing its beauty was absolutely breathtaking (or maybe we were just winded from the hike, j/k). Although not the most magnificent waterfall you've ever seen, it is certainly one of the prettiest. It's simplicity is what makes it so gorgeous. The water is icy cold (by Florida standards), but why hike all the way there if you're not going to get in and feel the waterfall pour over your head? It's too shallow to swim, but wading around and playing in the waterfall is worth doing. The bottom is very rocky though, so water shoes would be nice although we all went barefoot. San Ramon waterfall is an image that will stick with me for years to come.
RP356
We visited in rainy season so there was a good flow of water. It looked like somethin out of a TV advert. You could bathe in the pool at the bottom. Get a vehicle to take you up through the foothills of Volcan maderas, until it can go no further. From there, you walk for an hour to an hour and a half through trails in the jungle before reaching the waterfall. Good walking shoes needed, with some scramling across riverbeds and boulders. We saw white faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, green parrots and a very large coral snake. Also cool leaf cutter ants. Our favourite experience in ometepe by far.
Kianemikala
Awesome! We had a driver, so we chose to drive up to the 2 km rock, ad walk from there. It was about a 45 minute walk - mostly straight up to the top. The trail is a little rugged, and we did it in flip flops. We would definately recomend tennies instead. We took a picknic lunch with us and enjoyed lunch and taking a refreshing dip in the cool water. We were a group of nine - kids ages 10 to 17, and they all thought it was great too!
DanielBlanken
We went to San Ramon waterfall and although it was one of the hardest hikes we've ever done it was well worth it. The 3km hike to the waterfall feels double that because you are mainly going uphill the entire time but we still had a blast and felt great because we accomplished it. Once you reach the waterfall it feels like heaven, pictures do not do justice for this place, the waterfall is so high in person and so beautiful to look at. I recommend to jump in because it feels amazing and to go here if you are on Ometepe Island.
tcldenver
A few different sources recommended this trail for a hike and a swim. We chose to ride horses most of the way up to the falls, with just a short hike at the end (you can arrange horses at a few places in Merida.) The waterfall is very high and quite nice, but the pool at the bottom isn't large enough to swim in. I wouldn't bother bringing a swimsuit - just plan to wash your face and hands in the cool water. It's a good walk from Merida to the entrance (about 45min), so keep that in mind if you are planning to hike as well - leave a bit more time for yourself than the locals will tell you.
BenL533
Hacienda Merida, where I was staying when I visited, highly recommended by the way, can rent you bikes for the 2.25 mile ride to the entrance or even set you up with horse rentals. The walk is very enjoyable too and takes you past local homes and also a wonderful place to have lunch on the way back called Finca Mystica. From the entrance, Omotepe Biologica' Estacion noticable by the bright yellow gate on the left hand side, pay the 60 cordoba ($3) fee and head on up. The signs say 3k to the falls but its a bit more. The first section is on gravel road through fruit trees and lava rocks. Once you get to the parking lot you will see the hydro-electric building and the trail on the right leading into the jungle. You eventually work your way across a streambed and up a steep climb at the end till you reach the falls. 130 meters high. Take a dip!
Esquirin
aca es relajacion, meditacion alma y espiritu, acampar, descansar dejar el alma libre y simplemente conectarte con la naturaleza, visita matagalap y sus encantos
HotelCasaBarcelona
Belleza natural.La cascada y el río optos para poner una hamaca, acostarse y escuchar el agua100% recomendado
795elisep
Le mois de février étant durant la saison sèche, le débit d'eau est extrêmement faible donc la chute est moins impressionnante malgré sa hauteur.Si un véhicule vous transporte les 2 premiers km du sentier, il vous reste un bon km avec un bon dénivelé pour vous rendre à la chute soit 40 minutes. Je crois que ca vaut la peine d'y aller.Si vous marcher depuis l'entrée du parc jusqu'à la chute : 3 km de montée dans la chaleur, vous serez décus de la petie chute que vous découvrirez au sommet...
Moonliar
Este sitio está mal ubicado en Tripadvisor. Está en Ometepe, no en Matagalpa.La cascada San Ramón está en el extremo suroeste de la isla de Ometepe. Está a unos cuatro kilómetros de Mérida y se accede por una trocha sin asfaltar que en algunos lugares no está en buen estado.La Estación Biológica San Ramón marca la entrada del camino a la cascada: se puede entrar de seis de la mañana a tres de la tarde a pie, a caballo, en moto o en carro. Los residentes en el país pagan dos dólares, los extranjeros tres dólares, las motos dos dólares y los carros tres dólares. En la entrada se pueden encontrar baños y un restaurante.La cascada está a tres kilómetros y medio de la entrada y puede accederse en vehículo hasta el km.2, donde hay un parqueo. Ahí empieza un sendero de entre 30-45 minutos que desemboca en la cascada y que se puede seguir sin necesidad de guía.Aunque por la escasez de lluvias no llevaba mucha agua, la altura de la cascada y su ubicación son impresionantes. Es posible bañarse en la piscina natural de agua helada que se forma bajo la cascada.