If you’re on your way to the Isla de Ometepe, you might want to stop in at San Jorge, just 15 minutes from Rivas. Most travellers pass through San Jorge in a hurry to get to one of the nearby islands, like Ometepe, and with good reason—the one kilometre walk down to the beachfront is boring. But if you’ve got some time on your hands and want to go exploring around the town before catching your ferry you can find some cultural monuments that might spark your interest.

Sightseeing
San Jorge is home to the most eccentric variety of churches in the region and perhaps the country. Some of the churches date back to the 1500s— you won’t get in unless it’s a national holiday so don’t hold your breath—and some are considered national monuments and are the site of yearly pilgrimages. If you’re in San Jorge at the end of April, you might get to witness the fiestas patronales— they include parades, rodeos and even ceremonial dances.

Getting there
Buses leave Rivas almost hourly to go to San Jorge and they will stop just outside the ferry terminal.