El Pital Ometepe, Chocolate Paradise

Reading the reviews I was a bit worried however El Pital wasn’t actually too bad. The good: - Reception staff were friendly, the girl who checked us in was lovely. - Restaurant had tasty food. We only had the desserts but they were pretty amazing and not too badly priced when you consider they’re vegan (+10% tax however). - Hot water in the shower big plus! - Free spring water (but they don’t mention this so we bought 6L before seeing the tap 🫠) The bad: - Rooms were pretty basic, basically a bed and a fan. One very small soap and some hand soap, no shampoo. - The rooms aren’t sealed so you get a lot of bugs and the mosquito net (which ours had marks on) didn’t fully cover the sides of the bed. Therefore I woke up with fresh mozzie bites each morning. - Our room door was very hard to lock as it was bowed and you had to manoeuvre it quite a bit. Overall it’s not amazing but from seeing the island I think all accommodation here would be a bit basic. Just don’t have too high of an expectation and you’ll be fine!

My mum and I had a wonderful stay at El Pital and would definitely come back! Our private room was peaceful, not overlooked, and felt very tranquil. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was lovely. The only downside was the lack of air conditioning in the private room — if it had that, I’d give it a full 10/10. The service was excellent. We were warmly welcomed by Angel at reception, who was incredibly kind, helpful, and friendly throughout our entire stay. He really is a huge asset to El Pital — thank you, Angel! We loved the daily 8am yoga classes. We did six in total and found all the teachers to be great. That said, it’s worth noting that while the yoga is advertised as “free,” it’s actually donation-based for the teachers, which should be made clearer. The location couldn’t be better — absolutely beautiful, with the restaurant overlooking the lake. Being able to jump right in for a swim was such a treat! The food was fresh and delicious, and the cakes were to die for. All in all, a magical place — peaceful, welcoming, and full of charm. Highly recommend, and we can’t wait to return!

We had a really enjoyable dinner at El Pital. The setting was lovely; I wish we'd made it there before sunset to see it in the light. They had several great vegetarian options. Unfortunately, they were sold out of their house-made pita (next time!), but we really enjoyed the pizza and the veggie burger. The brownie was so, so good as well. Service was wonderful and we were able to use a credit card. We'd love to go back.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve stayed during my visit. You’re really in the jungle, in between the cacao trees with an exceptional view on the lake. All the vegan food I ate in the restaurant was delicious. Also the service was great, I’ve met Engel, one of the receptionists. He was so friendly and always happy to help or give you some tips to discover the island. Very grateful to have met him!

Nice hotel with great vegan food only on the menu but no soft drinks or snacks available. My dorm to the lake Front was super nice, but water pressure in the shower is very low, one day we had no water at all. They don’t provide shared shuttles, so taxi to ferry is $25. Lots of locals there in the evening but no real designated area for solo travelers. Chocolate tour is great, hike to Maderas is VERY challenging with 9 hours in total but worth it.

What an amazing place! The staff, in particular, were incredibly friendly, helpful, and kind. The accommodation was fantastic, with great service, and the restaurant offered a great variety—way beyond just chocolate! Located in a beautiful spot on Ometepe, with a beach and plenty of cute places around, it was the perfect place to unwind. I truly relaxed with daily yoga sessions, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, delicious food, and stunning views. Definitely my favorite place—highly recommend!! ❤️

The atmosphere is beautiful! And so is the view. Seeing the volcano rising high above the lake. I love just getting a Lemon Panna Cotta, taking a seat, and enjoying the sights and sounds. I find it a good place to sit and think, or to create. I do a lot of my writing and drawing at El Pital. The people there are also amazing. You go up to the counter, taking a look at the menu, and are met with a warm smile. The staff are all friends and work together well, improving the atmosphere even more. The food is another thing to note. Every dish is made with care and skill. Every bite is a savored experience. Every empty plate leaving you satisfied and a little spoiled. The entire menu is vegan, but anyone of any diet will still be able to enjoy it. Some of my favorite things to eat are the Lemon Panna Cotta, Portobello Truffle Pizza, Chocolate Supperpower Smoothie, and many many more. I have not stayed at the hostel myself, but I hear good things, and think you should try it out. Anyways, go check out El Pital, Ometepe, Nicaragua.

I didn’t stay here but visited and ate here every day I was in Ometepe. Food is amazing- some of the best I’ve had in Central America (I’m not vegan or veggie so happy bonus for those who are). Beautiful setting on the lake. Perfect to spent a few hours swimming and eating your way through the menu