The Volcán Masaya is the most heavily venting volcano of Nicaragua. While the lava is continuously bubbling you’re nevertheless allowed to get up and have a look into the crater. The mountain is 635 meters high and pre-Columbian civilizations called it the ‘burning mountain’ (Popogatepe). Its eruptions have been seen as a sign of enraged gods and therefore children and virgins have been offered to calm them – not the last time that people fell into the hot lava.
The Spanish colonists named the volcano the gate to hell (Boca del Infierno) and placed a large cross next to it which is still standing today (La Cruz de Bobadilla). It is said that during the Somoza regime political opponents were tortured in the Coyotepe fortress on the other side of the lake and dropped from helicopters into the lava. But there is not much proof, especially as the FLSN government of Ortega doesn’t allow research.
If you want to visit the volcano you’ll have to leave Masaya and pass Nindirí in the direction of Managua. The cash desk is directly at the Avenida Bolivar / routa 4. From there you can drive the NN-222 up the hill. First you’ll see the museum and restaurant. After some kilometers further up through the volcanic area you’ll reach a parking lot (the Plaza de Oviedo named after a monk searching for gold). From there you can hike different trails: to the cross or up the hill with good views on the Lago de Masaya.
Or you just take a look at the lava underneath, most spectacular in evening hours. The maximum time to stay there was once limited to five, later to fifteen minutes, but there is nobody enforcing that. Formerly there were also lava tunnels and a waterfall to be explored on guided tours; maybe they are opening up again. And don’t worry: the last major eruption of the Volcán Masaya was in 1772. Since then it is just venting and bubbling…
Volcán Masaya
Masaya
Nicaragua
Loading map...
