Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on an island? On the Isla Otaú, right in front of us, you really can! The island is one of a group of 365 small islands in Lake Nicaragua just a short distance from Granada. Legend has it that these islands were formed by the Mombacho volcano, which erupted thousands of years ago. As a result, volcanic ash flowed into the lake, eventually solidifying and forming these beautiful, rocky outcroppings.
Today, many of the islands are owned and occupied, with houses and vacation homes nestled among the abundant vegetation. Some of the homes even have views of the majestic Mombacho volcano! These days, Isla Otaú is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and boat tours are available.
Some people might think that the islands would have been a perfect place to settle back in the colonial times, but they might be wrong! The fort of San Pablo on one of the islands was actually built to protect the city of Granada from pirates. The pirates would have been coming from the San Juan River to plunder and make a fortune! Although most pirates were simply chasing treasure, some people were forced from their homes during Somoza’s dictatorship. And some of these islands, once homes to many locals, were even sold to wealthy foreigners! But Isla Otaú seems to have stood the test of time, and it continues to be a beautiful and charming destination for visitors from all over the world.