Balgue

Balgue is a village on the island Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua.

Get in

From Moyogalpa port area there are direct buses to Balgue at 8:20 a.m, 10:15 a.m, and 3:45 p.m. You can also take a bus from Moyogalpa to Altagracia (leaves at least once per hour) then take another bus from Altagracia to Balgue. Buses do not run to/from Balgue on Sundays.

Get around

The town of Balgue is small and can easily be walked in a few minutes, however a system of footpaths connect Balgue with all the neighboring villages and farms. A day can be spend wandering the fields and paths, a hearty "buenas" usually enough to lead to multiple adventures.

See

Climb Maderas Volcano, take in the sights from atop the muddy mountain, and then wander in the petroglyphs laden fields around Finca Magdalena.

Do

• Project Bona Fide [4] is a well known center for permaculture (Permanent Culture) education and community development, as an approach to designing communities and agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in the natural ecologies. The main goals are to reduce reliance on industrial systems of production and distribution, minimizing waste and the demand for human labor or energy, produce a high density of food and materials with minimal input, etc. Also offers volunteer and community work.

• Tours Project Bona Fide offers 2 to 3 hour guided tour where you learn about soil management, waste water management, energy efficiency, our use of solar & wind power, inter-planting, agro-forestry, layering methods, water catchment systems, how to discourage ravenous insects and how to support wider varieties of birds, insects and animals on a farm all while maximizing food production. After the tours, full traditional Nicaraguan lunch prepared with products from the farm and a chance to meet the locals.
• Cafe Campestre, Balgue (on the left as you enter Balgue before Finca Magdelena), ☎ 505 8571 5930, [1]. Kayak and hiking tours offer by native English language speaking guides who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area and its history. The only tour guides to offer the Rio Istiam from Balgue.  edit

Eat

After eating the yummy if slightly over-priced gallo pinto at Finca Magdalena, wander down the road to the blue pulperia and order queso frito with tostones. Drink it with a Tona and watch as the entire town of Balgue wanders by. On the road to Santa Cruz from Balgue are a few local restaurants and Cafe Campestre, a popular place to eat.

• Cafe Campestre, Balgue, Maderas volcano (on your left as you enter Balgue), [2]. Good food in a great village setting with a big veranda onto the road which makes a great place for people watching. Excellent local coffee, organic produce from the farm, great original smoothies and a bakery making fresh bread. They also offer local kayak and hiking tours and have 2 self contained private rooms for rent for $15 per night . Food $2 - $6.  edit

Drink

There are 2 good places to get a drink in Balgue, Cafe Campestre on the road out of Balgue to Santa Cruz and Madronal and El Rinconsito on the corner of the road up to Finca Magdelena.

Sleep

There are plenty of places to stay in Balgue, one option is 'Finca Magdalena[5] which is a farmhouse on an organic coffee plantation near the city, it's set on a hillside with gorgeous views of the volcanoes, lake, gardens, and sunsets, complete with hammocks, internet, and trails for exploring. Dorms for $4.60 USD or private rooms from $8. Cheap beer, rum & full meals from $4.

Another place is Project Bona Fide. They offer dormitory rooms for $25 a night which includes three square meals (except Saturday night), any fruit you find on the farm, and a tour of the farm. The price is cheaper if you volunteer for 4 hours in the morning. They also offer a private room for $23 a night.

Another is Cafe Campestre which has 2 private rooms in Balgue and is a popular place to eat and hang out, known for its good food using local produce. It's in Balgue on the main road and is a good place to sit and people watch. Double rooms are $15.

• Cafe Campestre, Balgue (on the left as you enter Balgue), [3]. Clean, simple and comfortable rooms in Balgue. Private entry and good restaurant attached. Double rooms are $15.  edit

Get out

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