Four Can’t-Miss Volcanoes in Southwestern Nicaragua
You don’t have to be a geologist to fall in love with Nicaragua’s impressive volcanoes! Nicaragua’s distinct volcanoes run from north to south and offer stunning views of rocky, rugged landscapes. With plenty of opportunities to peer into volcanoes, watch hot lava glow at night, hike through cloud forests, and swim in volcanic crater lakes, Southwestern Nicaragua has something for everyone.Below we’ve listed our favorite volcano destinations and the unique highlights and attractions at each.
Masaya Volcano
Perhaps Nicaragua’s most visited attraction, the Masaya Volcano National Park is an absolute must-see while here. The park has an excellent visitor center, several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, unique caves, and stunning views. Tour buses will take you right to the rim of the crater, where you can see the thick smoke rising out of the earth. Evening tours are also offered, and visitors can often see the reflection of lava bubbling down below.
Steam rises from Volcan Masaya
Mombacho Volcano
The Mombacho Volcano rises to a height of over 1,000 meters and makes a stunning backdrop for the colonial town of Granada. Despite being active, Mombacho is covered with lush cloud forests near the summit and coffee plantations towards the base. Visitors often encounter sloths, monkeys, salamanders, tropical frogs, and rich birdlife while on guided hikes. The top of the volcano offers hikers stunning views of Granada and the Isletas. There are also a couple of canopy zipline tour options for the adventurous crowd.
Volcan Mombacho is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Twin Volcanoes at Isla de Ometepe
The twin volcanoes of Ometepe rise dramatically out of Lake Nicaragua and tower into the sky. You’ll need to take the one-hour ferry ride from San Jorge to get there, but the trip is well worth it. Volcán Concepción (1500+ meters) is the taller of the twin volcanos and is the second tallest volcano in all of Nicaragua. Unlike Mombacho, Concepción’s surface consists of loose volcanic rock and takes 10 to 12 hours to summit and return. It’s often cloudy at the top, limiting the views, but still a worthwhile undertaking if you’re in good shape. Bring water and sunscreen!
Volcán Maderas lies on the other side of Ometepe and is covered in cloud forest. There’s now a lake in Maderas’ crater which can be reached via a guided hike (7-8 hours). This side of the island is less developed and full of ancient petroglyphs. It’s absolutely worth visiting both of Ometepe’s volcanoes and experiencing the unique culture throughout the island.
Isla de Ometepe from the Ferry. Twin volcanoes in the distance.
Distinct experiences await at each of Southwestern Nicaragua’s four tallest volcanoes. Between Granada, Masaya, the Pueblos Blancos, and other small towns, there’s plenty of unique cultural experiences here as well and the beach is never far away!
Check out our tours and excursions page to learn more about our half-day and full-day trips to these amazing volcanoes.
