A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isla de Ometepe vs. Montanita for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Montanita, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Montanita?

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Montanita, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla de Ometepe is in Central America and Montanita is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Isla de Ometepe.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Montanita Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Montanita. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.

Isla de Ometepe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Isla de Ometepe often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.

In July, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita in the Autumn?

Both Montanita and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives more rain than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Montanita in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita in the Winter?

Both Montanita and Isla de Ometepe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.

Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. In the winter, Isla de Ometepe often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Montanita in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Montanita. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 29°C (84°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Montanita and Isla de Ometepe