Finca Ecologica El Zopilote (Isla, Mexico)

Finca El Zopilote is a farm/hostel run by an Italian family from Tuscany from 2002 located in Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua. Finca el zopilote offers to the visitors different types of accommodation such as camping, hammocks, dormitory and private cabins, spread over a large garden. Located on a hillside, the site requires a fairly strenuous 200-300 meter walk up a rocky path to access. (If you have come by car, it can be parked for a nominal fee at a roadside business). A flashlight (available for purchase at the reception) is helpful to navigate the property after dark.

Similar to other hostels in the arera, there is no kitchen access for the visitors, but a restaurant is available on site; it is also possible to buy freshly baked bread (50 cordobas, i.e. around $2) at the reception. Three nights a week pizza is cooked in a traditional wood oven. There are compost toilets, and greywater from the showers and the kitchen is cleaned through an onsite processing system. The land is completely planted with trees and plants of every kind, there is a nursery and a vegetable garden and are present many works to limit erosion and water harvesting earth work. Have been used and ferro-cement techniques for the construction of water tanks.There are working possibilities for people interested in permaculture and helping in running the farm/hostel. Is possible to visit the farm including the litthe leather /handycraft shop and observe the view from a look out tower.

The hostel is a convenient starting point for a Volcan Maderas ascent ($8 per person guided hike).

As of 2016, the owners of El Zopilote are also running an adjacent property, ''''''La Brisa'''''', on similar terms as the main El Zopilote site; accessing La Brisa requires an additional uphill walk from El Zopilote.