Hike to San Ramón Waterfall on Maderas Volcano — Picnic and Swim on Ometepe

Moyogalpa•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

4 hours

Fitness Level

Moderately fit — able to sustain steady uphill hiking for 2 hours with some scrambling over roots and rocks

Overview

A compact, humid hike up Maderas Volcano that culminates in a 50-meter plunge and a picnic beside a cool jungle pool. Ideal for travelers who want a strong nature hit in a half-day outing.

Hike to San Ramón Waterfall on Maderas Volcano — Picnic and Swim on Ometepe

Climbing

Other

Hiking

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The trail begins under a green ceiling: broadleaf trees drip with condensation and the air smells of wet earth and old leaves. You set off from the southern foot of Volcán Maderas with the island shrinking behind you, and for the next two hours the jungle alternates between tight root-strewn steps and soft, leaf-littered stretches. Birds call from the canopy and a stream, unseen at first, dares you onward with its distant rush.

Adventure Photos

Hike to San Ramón Waterfall on Maderas Volcano — Picnic and Swim on Ometepe photo 1

Adventure Tips

Hydrate early and often

Bring at least 1.5–2 liters of water per person — the climb and humidity make small sips essential to avoid overheating.

Grip the roots

Wear shoes with good traction — the trail has exposed roots and can turn slippery after rain.

Start before midday

Begin early to avoid the hottest, most humid hours and for better light at the waterfall for photos.

Respect the pool

Rinse off biodegradable sunscreen and avoid soaps; the bathing area is ecologically sensitive.

Local Insights

Wildlife

White-faced capuchin monkey
Howler monkey

History

Ometepe’s twin cones have sustained human habitation for centuries; Maderas preserves pre-Columbian sites and petroglyphs that speak to the island’s indigenous past.