Guide to Cascada de San Ramón: The Waterfall Hike on Ometepe Island

Ometepe Island is known for its two ancient volcanoes: Maderas and Concepción. Hiking either one is a behemoth of a task, taking intrepid explorers up to ten hours to conquer the imposing summit. If you don’t want to go big but still want the experience of ascending an Ometepe volcano, there is another option: the Cascada de San Ramón waterfall hike.

Cascada de San Ramón is a majestic 40 meter tall waterfall that’s hidden away on the side of Maderas Volcano. Unlike the full-fledged eight-hour hike up Maderas, it takes less than four hours to complete this excursion. It’s a moderate hike with a refreshing reward at the end–and, if you’re lucky, you can see monkeys, birds, and butterflies along the way.

In this guide to Cascada de San Ramón, you’ll find everything you need to know to complete the beautiful waterfall hike on Ometepe Island.

Where is Cascada de San Ramón?

Cascada de San Ramón is located partway up the dormant Maderas volcano on Ometepe Island. You can access the entrance by heading to the small town of Mérida, nestled within the rustic southern side of the island.

Signage is small on Ometepe Island. Look for the Old Port of San Ramón as a landmark–the entrance is just across from the dock.

It costs 100 córdobas to enter (about $3).

How to get to San Ramón Waterfall

To get to the San Ramón waterfall, head to the Ometepe Biological Field Station in Mérida. This is the point of entry.

HN Hint: Go to Cascada de San Ramón during Nicaragua’s rainy season to see the waterfall at its best.

From Moyogalpa, it’s about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive to the San Ramón waterfall.

From Balgüe, it’s about a 30 minute drive.

If hiking Cascada de San Ramón is on your Ometepe to-do list, consider renting an ATV. With this sturdy 4×4 vehicle, you can drive from the biological station up to the trailhead, saving you nearly two hours. (It’s technically possible to reach the waterfall trail with the right motorbike, but you’d need to be a very experienced driver. Using an ATV is a much safer choice.)

The path from the base to the trail is not to be underestimated–in fact, it’s hard to tell when you’ve reached the top! Keep driving up the rocky road until it’s literally impossible to proceed. The “parking lot” looks like this:

Important note: Plan to visit the waterfall in the morning. After 2pm you won’t be allowed up–it’s a safety measure to make sure no one’s out hiking after dark.

How difficult is the Cascada de San Ramón hike on Ometepe Island?

The Cascada de San Ramón hike is shorter and easier than taking on the Maderas or Concepción volcanoes, but don’t be fooled–it’s still quite a trek.

You can think of the hike in two parts:

The first part is a long and rocky uphill path that takes you from the Biological Station at the base of the volcano to the trailhead.

It sounds simple enough, but leaves many unsuspecting hikers huffing and puffing with their hands on their hips. This half is not particularly difficult to navigate on foot, but will still take a lot of energy out of you before you even reach the more challenging section.

The second part is a narrow, steep, and at times deceptively difficult jungle trail to the actual waterfall.

This is the real deal. It’s a gorgeous vista of bubbling brooks and tropical vegetation/monstera leaves bursting with life. You get the sense that there’s a whole world hiding just behind the trees, watching from amongst the leaves.

The trade-off is that this trail requires some hops, skips, and jumps over rocks and running water. At times, you’re literally on your hands and knees traversing slippery single-lane passageways. It can be nerve-racking for inexperienced hikers, but the adventure is also part of the fun.

If you choose to tackle the full distance from volcano base to waterfall on foot, the Cascada de San Ramón hike is of Moderate-to-Hard difficulty. This is based on the longer hiking distance combined with the rugged trail conditions.

If you drive up from the base to the trailhead before starting off for the waterfall, then the San Ramón hike is of Easy-to-Moderate difficulty. This route cuts the hike in half, making it much more manageable.

HN Hint: If you really want to do a volcano hike in Nicaragua but aren’t sure if you can handle Ometepe’s challenging terrain, try Mombacho Volcano. The Crater Trail is a good fit for any level, and it offers a relatively flat plane with beautiful views and exotic wildlife along the way.

How long does the San Ramón Waterfall hike take?

All in all, you can factor in a solid half-day for this hike. The total time required varies based on your route:

If you hike the entire way to the San Ramón waterfall on foot, it will take 3 to 4 hours.

If you drive halfway up the volcano, the waterfall hike will take 1.5 to 2 hours.

Also remember to consider the time it will take to drive to the volcano base. Things are very spread out on Ometepe Island. Add an hour or so just for transit when planning your day.

For the best experience, we recommend going by vehicle if you can, especially for those with lower stamina. The first leg of the hike is long, tiring, and not particularly scenic. It takes extra time and effort that can be better spent exploring the rest of Ometepe–unless, of course, you want to make the hike more challenging.

What to bring

You don’t need to bring much for the San Ramón waterfall hike on Ometepe. But we’d recommend you pack the following essentials before you head out:

Cash for entrance fee (100 cords, or $3)
Backpack (you’ll want to stay hands-free while you hike)
Water bottle
Sturdy shoes (no need for hiking boots; sneakers are perfect)
Towel
Flip-flops or water shoes (the pool under the waterfall is rocky)
Snack (optional)
Extra pair of socks (optional)
Camera (optional)

(What else do you need to pack for Nicaragua? Check out our comprehensive packing list.)

HN Hint: Once you start the hike, there isn’t anywhere to change clothes. If you plan on taking a dip under the waterfall, put on a bathing suit before you go.

Conclusion

Cascada de San Ramón is a great hike for anyone looking to explore the volcanoes on Ometepe Island, but find the two big hikes too challenging or time-consuming. Whether you walk out and back or take a vehicle up to the trail, you’ll get your heart pumping and capture incredible memories.

If you want to get outside and active when you visit Nicaragua, make sure you add the Ometepe waterfall hike to your list!

What else do you want to know about Cascada de San Ramón? Ask us in the comments!

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Meet your Tour Guides

Hola! We’re Gail & Luis, a team of two with a deep love for Nicaragua. Luis, a professional tour guide, is the knowledgeable source behind the blog. Gail, an American writer, is the voice.

We started this blog as a way to stay connected from afar and support Nicaragua in our own small way.

Today, our mission is to open hearts and minds to the wonders of Nicaragua and make it easier than ever to start planning your trip.