A visit to the Masaya volcano should not be missed when you are on holiday in Nicaragua. This is an active volcano near Masaya, and one of the few volcanoes where you can see lava bubbling. Who wouldn't want to see that? Read everything you need to know here!
Masaya Volcano National Park
As I mentioned above, the Masaya volcano is the only active volcano in Nicaragua in which you can see lava. In fact, it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In the crater there is a lava lake in which you can see the lava bubbling. Sulfuric gases and steam also emanate from the crater. A great natural phenomenon to admire.
Original inhabitants around the volcano thought that there was a god in the volcano and therefore regularly brought sacrifices to the volcano. When the Spaniards found the volcano they thought these were the gates to hell. It is indeed a bit of a frightening sight to look directly into a volcano with lava.
The Masaya volcano is not the only volcano in this area. It is located in Nicaragua's first national park. In 1979 it was declared Masaya Volcano National Park. The park has an area of 53 square meters and consists of no fewer than 2 volcanoes and 5 craters. It is not only the oldest, but also the largest national park in Nicaragua.
One of these two volcanoes in the National park is the Nindiri volcano and the other is the Masaya volcano. Since 1524, the Masaya volcano has erupted no fewer than 19 times. However, there has only been a real lava flow 2 times. The volcano has erupted more often, with parts of the volcano exploding. The last eruption was in 2008. The volcano is now closely monitored to predict new explosions.
FACT: In 2020, Nik Wallenda decided to walk across the crater on an iron cable. If you want to see the images, you can do so here.
The Masaya volcano
You can choose to go to the volcano with your own transport or with a tour. There are different tours. You can go during the day, evening or night. We recommend that you go in the evening with sunset. This way the surroundings are the most beautiful and you can see the lava well when it gets dark. Keep in mind that it is then quite busy with tours. So make sure you are on time so that you have time to view the area before you find a spot on the rim of the crater. You can walk from the parking lot to the rim of the adjacent crater. For this you only have to hike for about 15 minutes.
You drive all the way up to the parking lot. From the parking lot you are within 2 minutes at the crater rim of the Masaya volcano. This is also the only volcano in Nicaragua where you do not have to hike up yourself. There are hiking trails in the national park and 'lava gates' where many bats fly out in the evening / at night. If you want to see this you have to go with a night tour.
TIP: Also visit Mercado Viejo in Masaya. This is a nice market on the central square where you can buy souvenirs, among other things.
We have chosen to visit the Masaya volcano with a full day tour. We have visited many places in the area from Granada. So, we visited a pottery where they still design, make and bake everything by hand. Then we drove past Mirador de Catarina and we were able to swim at Paradiso and relax in Lake Apoyo. Then we visited the old market in Masaya, to finish at the Masaya volcano itself. We paid €35 per person for this full tour.
How do you get to the Masaya volcano?
From Granada to the Masaya Volcano
From Granada it is only 40 minutes by car to the Masaya volcano.
From Managua
From the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua, it is only 30 minutes by car to the Masaya volcano.
Are you curious about safety in Nicaragua? Read here more on this!
Looking for a good stay in Granada? Take a look here !
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2 Comments
Hoi bij wie hebben jullie de full day tour geboekt, als ik vragen mag?
Groet Danielle
Hoi Danielle,
Wij hebben de tour geboekt bij Abdalah tours. Dat ligt achter de gele kathedraal in het midden van de stad. We kregen er een gratis city-walking tour bij, die was ook erg leuk!