Check out the video below of the last eruption on 18 June 2008:
You can organize a tour of the volcano, national park, the old market in Masaya, Catarina and the pottery town of San Juan de Oriente with licensed bi-lingual guide Ramon at info@waytogonicaragua.com
The Masaya Volcano National Park comprises an area of 54 km² and includes two volcanoes-Volcan Masaya and Volcan Nindiri- and five craters.
The volcanoes have erupted several times in history, and were feared by both the indigenous people and the Spanish conquerors. The Spanish baptized the active volcano "La Boca del Infierno" or "The Mouth of Hell".
They planted a cross, "La Cruz de Bobadilla" (named after Father Francisco Bobadilla), on the crater lip in the 16th century in order to exorcise the Devil.
The park lies less than half an hour away from Managua and 10 minutes drive from Masaya.
From the entrance of the park it is 5 kilometers uphill to the Masaya Volcano, located in the center of the park. Visitors can drive uphill themselves or ask a taxi driver to drive to the crater.
Hiking uphill is another option, but it takes a while and the road is steep.
Visitors can peer over the edge at the Masaya Volcano, and look into the impressive crater, which is continuously emitting smoke and sulfur gases. From this central crater it is possible to start hiking to other craters or viewpoints. Be sure to walk a bit up to get a view of the smoking volcano and the fascinating surroundings. There are several trails that lead to other great views, other craters, or to the Tzinaconostoc Cave in which hundreds of bats house. These special trails vary in distance between 1.4 and 5.9 kilometers and are all guided, with prices between C$10 and C$20 per person. Each trail takes between 1-1½ hour.
An interesting and well-equipped visitors center is located halfway up to the volcano. The center provides information about the Masaya volcano, but also about the other volcanoes in Nicaragua and related geological processes. Visitors can also learn more about the flora and fauna of the park.
NIGHT TOURS:
The Masaya Volcano National Park offers this tour every day from between 5PM until 7.30-8PM.
The tour starts just before sunset, with a visit to the cross (La Cruz de Bobadilla) overlooking the volcano and the surroundings.
Next stop is the observation of Green Parakeets that come back to the volcano to roost. These birds have somehow adapted to the sulfur smoke from the volcano and actually live within the crater. During the day the birds are out finding food, but around sunset they return to their nests. The birds can often be seen returning to the volcano during the tour, but the arrival time varies every day so the sightings are not guaranteed.
The second attraction is to watch a large number of bats depart massively from their caves, another great natural spectacle! These bats can also be seen in the caves during daytime, but only at night do they leave their home en masse.
Next is a visit to an underground tunnel which was formed by lava streams. Equipped with flashlight and helmet, visitors can enter the tunnel and observe the interesting rock formations. The tour ends with a visit to a viewpoint that provides the possibility to actually look inside the crater mouth of the volcano, observing the red, glowing lava! This crater opening which was recently formed (at the end of 2006),is located deep down in the crater and can only be seen at night, when the red glow of hot lava lights the surroundings.
WHEN TO VISIT:
The park is open every day from 9:00AM until 4:45PM for regular visits.
GETTING THERE:
It is located on the highway to Masaya (Carretera Masaya).
The park entrance is at the KM23 marker.
ENTRANCE TO THE PARK
The entrance fee for a regular visit is about US$4.
The night tour has a price of US$10 per person. Minimum group size is 6, maximum size is 40 people.
Important: for the night tour reservations should be made at least a day in advance. Flashlights and masks are provided by the park; visitors should bring water and warm clothing. Transportation is not included in the price but can be arranged on request.
WILDLIFE & FAUNA:
Centuries of eruptions have had a dramatic impact on the surrounding enviroment.
Rocks and volcanic ashes still cover the area surrounding the volcanoes.
Different types of vegetation appeared after the eruptions. Wildlife in the park includes coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer, iguanas, and monkeys.
Most of the restaurants in Masaya cater to locals, so it's a great chance to eat local food with the locals. Here's our recommendations:
BREAKFAST: Fruti Fruti: The clue is in the name! Great smoothies, shakes and the omelets are good too!
LUNCH: Comida Criolla: No contest! The best place to eat local is on the corner ofParque Central packed with local residents and workers,
Hot buffet style servings so you choose a bit of this with a bit of that and the fruit juices are made with fresh local fruits. Friendly service, nice view of the square and all for less than USD4!!
DINNER: La Jarochita: Good Mexican food, big portions. Try and get a balcony table upstairs for free people watching BAR FOOD: Alf's: Great spicy wings and other bar staples, good quality pool tables popular with 20 something locals, theres a small club next door!
PIZZA: Telepizza: Near the church in the square, good Chicago style pizza. They'll deliver to your hotel.
Masaya is an artisan town with a easily accessible active volcano.
Known as the folklore center of Nicaragua, the The City of Flowers- the girls not the flora-as Rubén Darío christened it is easily visited on toursfrom the nearby city of Granada.
Other popular attractions include the artisan market- a great place to buy hammocks and handbags - and the vista of Laguna de Apoyo from the nearby town of Catarina.
You can also purchase excellent locally madepottery in nearby San Juan de Oriente.
