Zapatera Island
Zapatera Island
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
17 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,639 contributions
Feb 2021
Zapatera is the second biggest island in Lake Nicaragua. It has cultural significance due to the petroglyphs that are found on the island. We took a boat ride here from Granada, which was a full day outing. We got to see a primary school that is located on the island as well as many statues and interesting plants and trees. This is an off the beaten path place to visit and a fun day out.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ERIC W
Knoxville, TN4,409 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
This is a pretty large island located in Lake Nicaragua. I’ve personally visited almost every home on the island and have helped build two churches here. The people are super friendly and very humble. There are also various ancient carvings ( hieroglyphics) located on large rocks on the island. There are various tour companies that offer tours as getting there on your own can be difficult
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bre P
Boston, MA7 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Everyone in town will offer to take you on a tour- the cost will range from $30-$45 dollars for a few hours, transport and the boat ride.
The truth is that you can take a scenic walk to the boats (it's about 20 mins through the park) and then negotiate your own price- about $10pp! It's the same tour, but you can pick your captain and go at your own pace. We ended up getting our own private ride since we came later in the morning, after most of the tourist groups had gone out.
It's a nice little trip and fun to see all of the million dollar homes people have build on private islands. Make sure to enjoy a drink on one of the islands before heading home!
The truth is that you can take a scenic walk to the boats (it's about 20 mins through the park) and then negotiate your own price- about $10pp! It's the same tour, but you can pick your captain and go at your own pace. We ended up getting our own private ride since we came later in the morning, after most of the tourist groups had gone out.
It's a nice little trip and fun to see all of the million dollar homes people have build on private islands. Make sure to enjoy a drink on one of the islands before heading home!
Written February 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Retired_Traveler_7
Toronto, Canada422 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
In February, we hired a private tour to Zapatera Island, island guide and lunch was to be supplied, trip got postponed a few days since they could not accommodate us on the chosen date. After an hour bumpy boat ride in 4 foot waves, we reached the pier at the island and greeted by a young woman who was the guide and another person to describe the island history, two payments, however, it was the same person, all in Spanish. Luckily our tour operator was with us to translate and also he was surprised no lunch, we had no food with us, only water. The trek was relatively short, guide was tired and at times yawned (bored?) while we paused at a bench.
We felt very unwelcomed at the island, their picnic area abandoned, would not sell us any handicrafts being made AND it was a short 2 hour visit for a lot of money.
Suggest go some place else where you are appreciated.
We felt very unwelcomed at the island, their picnic area abandoned, would not sell us any handicrafts being made AND it was a short 2 hour visit for a lot of money.
Suggest go some place else where you are appreciated.
Written March 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEVOZONE
Zebulon, NC12 contributions
Sep 2014 • Business
Zapateado Island is a mysterious and difficult destination to travel to but can be well worth the trip if you are looking for that unique experience.
The island is inhabited by maybe 2000 people but the size and traditional lifestyle make you feel as if you are traveling back in time.
There is no electricity other than solar or ovation all generator....it is a island of fishermen and their families and has been for over a thousand years.
There is bountiful evidence of the cultural past on the island. The major stone idols in the Coventry in Granada were pulled out of a lagoon by Squire on Zapatera. The Isla el Muerto, a small island off the main island is a great place to see very large petroglyphs in a ceremonial platform. The main island is good to hike..locals will have to show you the way as there is very little tourist infrastructure on Zapatera.
The biggest reason Zapatera is not more visited or developed is because of the lack of transportation to the island. Islanders have their own way of networking to get to Granada and the island..... If you hang out at the Puerto de Asese you could get a one way for a couple of bucks.....but there is the issue of getting back. Private boat out of Asese for the day is $100 minimum. Tourist guides in Granda will charge more..... The best thing is to get a group of people to get the cost per person down, get a good boat that will get you there in about an hour and a half, someone who knows the island to get you around and come back the same day.
Everyone goes to Ometepe for great reason.....if you want a more raw, rustic feel for a cultural island with great people go to Zapatera and you will have an experience that few people who live in or visit Nicaragua ever have.
The island is inhabited by maybe 2000 people but the size and traditional lifestyle make you feel as if you are traveling back in time.
There is no electricity other than solar or ovation all generator....it is a island of fishermen and their families and has been for over a thousand years.
There is bountiful evidence of the cultural past on the island. The major stone idols in the Coventry in Granada were pulled out of a lagoon by Squire on Zapatera. The Isla el Muerto, a small island off the main island is a great place to see very large petroglyphs in a ceremonial platform. The main island is good to hike..locals will have to show you the way as there is very little tourist infrastructure on Zapatera.
The biggest reason Zapatera is not more visited or developed is because of the lack of transportation to the island. Islanders have their own way of networking to get to Granada and the island..... If you hang out at the Puerto de Asese you could get a one way for a couple of bucks.....but there is the issue of getting back. Private boat out of Asese for the day is $100 minimum. Tourist guides in Granda will charge more..... The best thing is to get a group of people to get the cost per person down, get a good boat that will get you there in about an hour and a half, someone who knows the island to get you around and come back the same day.
Everyone goes to Ometepe for great reason.....if you want a more raw, rustic feel for a cultural island with great people go to Zapatera and you will have an experience that few people who live in or visit Nicaragua ever have.
Written November 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela W
Poplar Bluff, MO7 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
The boat ride to the island included a stop to see howler monkeys on a small island. The cabins were nicely done with a hammock on the porch for relaxing. A hike to the lagoon was rigorous. Take a walking stick, water and wear sturdy shoes. Lunch was tasty. We we also introduced to a favorite beverage. Flor de Ca`na Rum. Aged 7 yrs.
Written January 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andres L
Granada, Nicaragua7 contributions
Jan 2013
A reason why Nicaragua is different than any other destination.
visit the island and you'll know why
visit the island and you'll know why
Written May 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlmanion
San Salvador12 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
This is an amazing place! I worked on the island for a month in 2013, and was constantly amazed by the people and the environment. The howler monkeys would serenade us every morning, and the wildlife is truly wild!
We did encounter some poisonous snakes when trekking through the foliage, but rubber boots and a machete will fix that problem.
We did encounter some poisonous snakes when trekking through the foliage, but rubber boots and a machete will fix that problem.
Written July 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca M
Banbury, UK840 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This is an amazing island which in years to come willno doubt become extremely tourist based...at the moment it is still in its infancy and I hope will remain as such. It is not a well known attraction and so can be a bit difficult to organise and it depends who you approach or who approached you as to the fees etc. It really is stepping back in time ad seems authentic, beautifully situated, still without the utilities we are used to,the inhabitants are making a bit of a living (I hope) by allowingvisitorson to see how they live etc
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Granada Tourist Information Kiosko
Granada, Nicaragua9 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
A remote Island out Granada, probably two hours by boat
(rainy season not good idea to go) right now
the most easy way to go is by private boat (not the cheap one)
there are some local operators they do provide this day tour,...
Right place if you are looking for petroglyphs...note is still very
basic zone.
(rainy season not good idea to go) right now
the most easy way to go is by private boat (not the cheap one)
there are some local operators they do provide this day tour,...
Right place if you are looking for petroglyphs...note is still very
basic zone.
Written September 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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