Rivas Department

Home to Ometepe, a volcanic island in the lake, and Pacific surf beaches, making it Nicaragua's island and beach getaway.

Rivas Department lies in southwestern Nicaragua, on the narrow strip of land between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean, bordering Costa Rica to the south. Ometepe Island in the lake is formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, and you can hike the volcanoes, cycle around the island, and visit petroglyphs and natural spring pools. On the Pacific coast, San Juan del Sur is a popular seaside town surrounded by numerous surf beaches, and La Flor Wildlife Refuge is a place to watch sea turtles nest. The dry season from November to April is best. You can drive from Managua and take a ferry to the island from Puerto San Jorge.

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