🛵 Scootering Around Ometepe: My Honest Review & Tips

Ometepe is a small island in Lake Nicaragua that’s a great place to explore by scooter or motorbike. Using a clear rating system, I share my honest review of renting and driving one, along with firsthand tips.

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🍀 Lukiih’s Verdict

I recommend driving a scooter motorcycle around Ometepe, even if you don’t have much experience.

• The small island, with its two beautiful towering volcanoes, has well-paved roads with little traffic, so it’s a great place to explore by scooter.
• The experience is affordable after accounting for rental fees and gas.
• Moderate preparation is required. It’s easy to find a rental and as mentioned above, it’s okay to have a beginner’s skill level.

Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Nicaragua.

🏆 Where Does It Rank?

Driving a scooter around Ometepe ranks as the #3 experience I had in Nicaragua. Here’s how it compares to other things I did on my trip:

	Experience	Location	Overall Rating
1	🌊 Laguna de Apoyo Day Trip	Granada	7.7
2	🏖️ Playa Mango	Ometepe	6.7
3	🏍️ Ometepe Scooter	Ometepe	6.3
4	💧 Cascada de San Ramón	Ometepe	6.1
5	⛪ Church of La Merced	Granada	5.9
6	🏊‍♂️ Ojo de Agua	Ometepe	5.7
7	🏄‍♀️ Playa Maderas Surfing Lessons	San Jual del Sur	5.7
8	🌋 Concepción Volcano Hike	Ometepe	5.6
9	🏖️ Playa Santo Domingo	Ometepe	5.6
10	🛶 Islets of Granada	Granada	5.5
11	🏄‍♀️ Playa Remanso Surfing Lessons	San Jual del Sur	5.4

My Nicaragua itinerary features the above experiences.

✈️ About My Trip

For context on my review, here’s what to know about my trip:

• I finance my trips and don’t receive sponsorship; this review reflects my honest opinions.
• I rented a scooter in Ometepe in late 2024.
• My Nicaragua trip was in October when it was transitioning from the low, rainy season to the high, dry season.

• Riding a scooter around Ometepe is an uncommon experience. I estimate that fewer than 60 comparable experiences exist worldwide. The small island has well-paved roads surrounded by lush landscapes and not much traffic at any given time.
• You can also see one of its volcanoes, Volcano Concepción or Maderas, from almost any road on the island, making the experience memorable.

• Other islands that can be explored by scooters exist worldwide, including Bali in Indonesia, Santorini in Greece, and Jeju Island in South Korea.

• I found driving a scooter quite enjoyable because the road passes through varied surroundings, including lush tropical forests and small villages.
• The road has very little traffic and is relatively safe for beginner drivers. It can be a wonderful experience to feel the wind on your face while surrounded by beautiful scenery.
• The recommended speed limit is around 40mph, which is relatively fast for beginner drivers, so it can feel thrilling.

• There are no street lights on the road, so driving after sunset is nerve-wracking and can be unsafe.
• There is one popular attraction, Cascada de San Ramón, that has a brief off-roading portion that requires some experience to drive on. As someone with barely any experience, I was very nervous during this part of the drive.

Renting a scooter motorcycle in Ometepe costs between $12 and $20 per day. I rented a scooter from Dinarte’s for $15 per day. Gas is also relatively cheap. I drove for about 5 hours total over 2 days (which took me to all the attractions I wanted to see), and filling up the tank only cost $5.

Reputable rental places tend to ask for a $100 deposit (card or cash) and will want to see a copy of your passport.

If you’re nervous about driving a scooter, many tourists also opt to rent an ATV in Ometepe. ATVs are safer and easier to drive but cost significantly more.

See my Nicaragua trip expenses.

• Minimal scooter experience is recommended for driving around Ometepe. I had only ever driven a scooter once before in Krabi, Thailand.
• You’ll find many scooter rental options when you arrive in Ometepe at Moyogalpa. Expect to drive the scooter for roughly 1-3 hours per day to explore the island.
• No advanced reservation is required during the low season, as plenty of rentals will be available. You may want to reserve a scooter during the high season. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes in case the rental place doesn’t provide a helmet with a mask.

For more detailed tips on my experience, check out my trip planner below.