Kayaking Ometepe: Exploring the beautiful Río Istián, Nicaragua
On an island made up of two spectacular volcanoes, kayaking down a small river might be easily overlooked (it is by many)! But kayaking the Rio Istian in Ometepe was actually my favourite activity on the island. Separating the Maderas and Concepcion Volcanoes, this intricate river system is home to an abundance of wildlife and is best explored by kayak! As you traverse the winding waterways of the Istian, you can reach places very few others have been, and be surrounded by unspoiled nature in a way I’ve only experienced when kayaking Ometepe.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about kayaking in Ometepe including information on tours and prices; tips for kayaking here; as well as sharing my personal experiences. Use the contents table below to navigate to your preferred section.
About Rio Istian
The Rio Istian (Istian River) is the main channel of water running through the middle of Ometepe Island. Since it is fed by the tides of Lake Nicaragua, it is actually less of a river and more of a wetland controlled by the lake.
These lush, green wetlands are a haven for wildlife. They form part of an ecosystem made up of mangroves and marshland which invite a huge array of bird species.
Where is the Rio Istian?
The Rio Istian is located on Ometepe island, which itself is situated in Central America’s largest lake (Lake Nicaragua). The river sits between the two volcanoes, spanning nearly the whole length of the thinnest section of the island.
The easiest way to get there is by road (moped, ATV, or car). Take the NN-226 towards Merida. Along this bumpy stretch of road are several tour companies offering guided kayak excursions to the river.
NOTE: You will need to get a ferry to Ometepe first.
Kayaking Ometepe FAQs
How much does it cost to kayak the Rio Istian?
The price of kayaking in Ometepe depends on where you book and whether it includes pickup from your accommodation.
My hostel quoted 25 USD per person for a guided tour, while online you will be charged even more.
Instead, I paid 500 NIO ($13.50 USD) for a guided tour by going directly to the tour company. We came as a group of six backpackers and turned up on the day without a booking.
How long does the Rio Istian Kayak Tour last?
Most kayak tours on the Rio Istian take around 2 hours. Slightly longer if you are paddling from further away.
The tours are relatively flexible and laid back, so timings vary depending on what wildlife you encounter and how fast you paddle.
The best time to kayak the Istian River depends on what experience you are looking for. Earlier in the morning is the best time to spot wildlife; the temperatures are cooler and the birds are undisturbed. Towards the middle of the day, once temperatures have increased, there’s a higher chance of seeing caiman (but you also have to deal with the heat). Later in the afternoon you could enjoy the sunset but start losing light.
What does the kayak tour include?
Kayak tours in Ometepe will include:
- Kayak (single or double)
- Paddles
- Guide (English speaking)
- Life jacket (optional)
Where to book the Rio Istian Kayak Tour?
There are several options to go kayaking on the Rio Istian in Ometepe. Most of the tour and rental companies set up base on the southeast side of the island, just along the coastline from Rio Istian.
Here are the main kayak rentals (in order of distance from Rio Istian):
- El Caiman
- Playa El Peru Kayak Kencho
- Playa Mangos Kayaks and Restaurant
- Caballito’s Mar
- Dreamland Tours Ometepe – CLOSED
I booked with El Caiman because of recommendations about their tours and their high-quality kayaks. It also helped that their launch point was the closest to the Rio Istian! Their office has a small shop to buy drinks and snacks. It also has a toilet.
I can’t speak for the other tour agencies, but I had a great time with El Caiman.
NOTE: You can rent a kayak and explore independently, however, you are less likely to spot wildlife without a guide.
What to bring for kayaking in Ometepe?
For the kayaking tour of the Rio Istian, you should wear clothes that you won’t mind getting wet. Whilst you are unlikely to be getting in the water, you may get splashed while kayaking. I strongly recommend wearing a top covering your shoulders and a hat to stay protected from the sun. Sunglasses are also useful as it gets quite bright on the water because of the reflections.
You won’t need flip-flops whilst kayaking, but they are useful for the walk down to the lake.
Besides clothing, you should also bring:
- Dry bag
- Suncream
- Water (2 litres) and snacks
- Camera (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
NOTE: We locked away any belongings we didn’t need in our bikes (helmets, trainers, towel) and carried the rest onboard the kayaks.
What to Expect when Kayaking Ometepe
After paying, we wandered around 200m down to the launch point at El Peru.
At the shore, we were given the option of a single or double kayak. Everyone in our group seized the chance for a 2-person kayak to reduce the workload!
We paddled along the coastline with views of Maderas volcano on the right and Concepcion volcano straight ahead. The river is about 1km from El Peru, or slightly further for other tour companies. During this time, we saw a bunch of different bird species (predominantly egrets)!
As we entered the mouth of the river the waters became calmer, protected by a huge tree in the estuary. On both sides, the river forks off into multiple smaller channels surrounded by green! It almost looks like a garden that you can walk on because of the number of plants sitting on the surface!
Being in a kayak provided the maneuverability to explore deeper into the watery jungle.
Though we soon found out it’s far easier to go into a channel than turn around and get out!
As we explored some of the smaller waterways in search of wildlife, we came across a series of turtles and also a caiman. It can be difficult to spot animals, but the guides are generally very good!
The whole area was so peaceful and serene, it felt only right to paddle around at a very slow, gentle pace to take in our surroundings. Hidden away from the rest of the island, the river felt completely natural and almost untouched, all you could hear was nature! It was so calming, I probably wouldn’t have even minded if we hadn’t seen any animals (though I’m glad we did)!
We delved further into the river and watched the ecosystem change, before then looping around and exiting via the same route we arrived on. As we headed back to our starting point, we had a lovely view of the Maderas volcano.
Wildlife around the River Istian
There is never any guarantee with wildlife so you shouldn’t expect to see everything. However, below are some of the potential creatures you could spot during your tour:
- Caiman alligators
- Turtles
- Owls
- Monkeys
- Egrets
- Herons
- Stilts
- Vultures
- Jacanas
- Butterflies
While you will likely see an abundance of aquatic and migratory birds, the highlight for many is the chance to see a caiman. They are shy so it can be difficult to see them, but caiman often bask in the sun so are easier to spot out in the open.
NOTE: Caimans won’t attack humans as they are relatively small (even if you are in a kayak).
NOTE: Lake Nicaragua has bull sharks as it is connected to the Caribbean Sea. But you’re very unlikely to see one!
Where to go after Kayaking Ometepe
After kayaking Rio Istian there are plenty more things to do on Ometepe Island. Further along the coastline are the San Ramon waterfall and the ancient petroglyphs. Alternatively, you could cool down at the natural springs of Ojo de Agua.
If you want to explore more of Rio Istian and its marshes, you can explore on foot from the north side of the island. There’s not much of a trail, but you can start by Playa Santo Domingo and walk from the other end of Rio Istian.
If you are leaving Ometepe altogether, you could head towards Granada, San Juan del Sur, or even Leon.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide on kayaking the River Istian in Ometepe. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy kayaking!
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