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Are you planning on visiting Masaya Volcano? Stick around because I’ll go over everything you need to know before you do.
We’ve traveled Nicaragua extensively and been to all of its most popular destinations. The problem with places like Masaya Volcano is that getting information about them can be difficult, to say the least. Is visiting a volcano safe? Where are the best viewpoints? When is the best time to go?
I had all of these questions and more before we went and couldn’t find them. Now that we have been a couple of times, I have my answers so I’ll save you the trouble and pass them on to you!
1. About the Masaya Volcano
Located in Masaya Volcano National Park, the Masaya Volcano (aka Volcan Santiago) made its claim to fame as one of the few volcanos in the world where you can actually look into the lava lake (Crater Santiago) in its center.
Awesome or terrifying? You tell me! But back in the 16th century, Spaniards called this volcano the “Mouth of Hell” and believed it was where demons emerged into the world. They even erected a cross, Cruz de Bobadilla, near its mouth in an attempt to ward off these demons.
It’s an impressive sight to behold and as more people around the world found out about this unique volcano, it gained even more attention. So much so, that in 2020, Nik Wallenda walked a tightrope across it with no safety netting. I don’t know about you, but I consider that crazy!
While I have zero desire to get any closer to the lava than the safety railing allows, I will admit that looking into an active volcano is one of the coolest things you can do in Nicaragua.
However, Masaya Volcano National Park has a lot more to offer! One of my favorite things we saw besides the volcano was the museum located in the park. It’s loaded with cool information about volcanic activity, local flora and fauna, how scientists use equipment to predict eruptions, and other well-put-together exhibits. Don’t miss out when you visit!
2. Where is the Masaya Volcano?
The closest city to Masaya National Park is Masaya, but I personally recommend staying just a little farther down the road in Granada. This is a gorgeous colonial city on Lake Nicaragua and the drive time to Masaya Volcano is only slightly longer – about 40 minutes one way.
We have a whole guide on what to do in Granada since there’s so much to see here and it’s a major tourist hub. I love hanging out here!
Another city some people visit from is the capital of Managua. Since everyone has to fly in and out of here, it’s somewhat easy to visit from. Although traffic is insane and even though you’ll find stuff online saying Masaya Volcano is only 30 minutes away, in reality, it’s more like 1-1.5 hours. If you’re only passing through and are in Managua, know that it’s doable but a little more complicated.
3. What is the best way to see the lava lake at the Masaya Volcano?
To see into the lava lake, all you’ll need to do is drive up to the parking lot. From here you’ll be able to see in fairly well, especially at night, but more on that soon.
If your legs allow it, there is a short .8-kilometer (.5-mile) hike up to Cruz de Bobadilla where you can see even better. The hike takes about 15 minutes one way.
4. What are the best tours to the Masaya Volcano?
Small Group, Full-Day Tour of Granada and Masaya Volcano
I love this combo tour because it includes exploring one of my favorite Nicaraguan cities and visiting Masaya Volcano. Plus, it includes a boat ride on Central America’s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua!
Starting in the central plaza of Grenada, the tour kicks off with a relaxing stroll through the city’s colorful streets. The three stops made in Granada are the House of the Three Worlds, a historical colonial building, and the Museum of San Francisco. All of these stops give a unique look into the history of Nicaragua and this Spanish city which survived multiple pirate attacks. Having a guide makes this city go from nice to look at to fascinating to learn about!
Follow that up with an air-conditioned drive to Masaya Volcano to look into its active lava pool and things have shaped up to a pretty great day so far. I’m a sucker for good souvenirs, so I appreciate that you get to make a stop at Masaya Crafts Market on the way back to Granada. It’s the best place to get handmade souvenirs in the city.
But wait, there’s still a 1-hour boat ride on Lake Nicaragua! I love boat rides on this lake because you get to spot wildlife, take in views of the city, and get cooled off from a nice breeze before calling it a day.
With everything included (except meals) this tour is a steal at only $130 USD. It makes sense that it’s the most popular tour that visits Masaya Volcano!
This tour is available daily and booking in advance gets you FREE cancellation!
Private Full Day Tour of Masaya Volcano and Granada with Pickup
This private tour knocks it out of the park as you explore both Masaya Volcano and Grenada with a private guide. If you want to make the most out of each of these locations, this is the tour for you.
Starting the day with pickup from your hotel, the first stop is the center of Granada to explore its colorful colonial streets with your guide and learn about its colorful history. It’s one of the oldest cities founded by the Spaniards!
Then take in the city from Lake Nicaragua on a 1-hour boat ride ($20 USD per group) where you will keep your eyes peeled for bull sharks, the only freshwater shark in the world. The whole time you’ll be jamming to Nicaraguan music and taking in views of volcanic islands along the way.
After is the cherry on top, Masaya Volcano ($10 USD per ticket). I love that you get to visit this volcano with a private guide because they tell you so much that even the museum nearby doesn’t. On the way back to Granada, you’ll make one last bonus stop for the day, Catarina Lookout, for unbeatable views of Apoyo Lake.
This tour is packed with amazing experiences, and the price drops the more you book for, so it’s only $80 USD per person for 4 people.
Book this private tour here to access the pay later option!
Evening Tour of Masaya Volcano from Granada with Pickup
If you’re staying in Granada and want to visit Masaya Volcano at night, this evening tour is the best way to save time and money and get spectacular views.
The evening starts at 3 pm with pickup from your hotel, but they also offer pickup from Managua, Rivas, and Leon for an extra charge. From there, it’s an air-conditioned drive to Masaya Volcano to see it up close and personal. You can even hike up to Cruz de Bobadilla with your guide if you want!
Seeing Masaya Volcano is best at night because you get the glow of the lava against the rocks. It’s so cool! The photos you’ll get are even more amazing when you can see the lava light up the night!
I love that this tour also includes admission into the park, so it’s a stress-free 3 hours. And for only $45 USD per person, I think its a killer deal!
See Masaya Volcano at night by booking your tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. How difficult is the hike up the volcano?
The hike up to the viewpoint at Cruz de Bobadilla from the parking lot is a short one at approximately 288 steps. Only going up 27 meters (88 feet), it’s easily doable for most travelers.
On average, it will take about 15 minutes each way. We have heard that at the viewpoint there is a 30-minute time limit per person so it doesn’t get too crowded, but when we were there, we didn’t see anyone enforcing this.
Related Read: If you don’t mind a bit longer hike up a volcano, then plan to go volcano boarding in Leon!
6. Is it safe to visit the Masaya Volcano?
Yes, the Masaya Volcano is very safe! It is constantly monitored by scientists and machines that keep an eye on its “time to erupt” levels to ensure the safety of all visitors. In fact, a full on eruption hasn’t happened in over 100 years.
If there is some increased activity, the park will close until it has died down, but this is rare. I mean it’s a volcano, so there’s always going to be bubbling a little bit. All that to say, you’ll be just fine during your visit.
7. When is the best time to visit the volcano?
While it’s great to visit any time of day, I think it’s best at night when you can see the glow of the lava. You can still see the lava during the day, but just not as clearly or as dramatic.
8. What is the entrance fee/can you visit on your own?
If you go during the day, tickets into the park are about $3 USD and at night they jump up to $10 USD.
You can absolutely go on your own, but you’ll need to haggle with a cab driver to ensure you don’t pay an arm and a leg for transportation. We liked going with a guide because the price is set and unlike a cab, guides come to the crater with you and tell you all sorts of cool stuff!
9. How long do I need at Masaya Volcano?
Including the hike to the viewpoint, an hour here should be more than enough. If you also stop by the museum, add an extra 30 minutes to see all of the cool exhibits they have on display.
10. Is visiting the Masaya Volcano worth it?
Yes, it absolutely is!
As one of the few volcanos in the world where you can actually look into its lava lake, I think it’s a must-visit for anyone in Nicaragua. The fact that it’s so accessible, makes it even better. Combine that with the fascinating history of the volcano and you have one of the coolest things you can see in the country.
Related Read: For more incredible places, our list of the 8 best places to visit in Nicaragua can help you out!
Where to Stay in Granada, Nicaragua
Since I recommend staying in Granada if you want to visit Masaya Volcano, I can also help narrow down where to stay. There are tons of great options, so to help make your decision easier, I’ve listed a few of the best including budget, moderate, and luxury options.
Hotel Plaza Colon – $$$
The elegant Hotel Plaza Colon comes highly recommended as it is located in central Granada and has a beautiful outdoor pool! The rooms are large and clean and complete with air conditioning, bath robes, and toiletries. The price is very affordable as well considering all of the inclusions! A queen room averages around $127 USD.
You can book Hotel Plaza Colon on Booking.com.
Hotel Casa del Consulado – $$
This former colonial-style mansion is now running as a hotel just a few hundred feet from the central park in Granada. All of the rooms in Hotel Casa del Consulado are massive and have high ceilings, air conditioning, a desk, and a wardrobe. The courtyard pool is nice to cool off in and catches a lot of direct sun in the early part of the day. A private king room averages $63 USD.
Check availability and easily book Hotel Casa del Consulado here!
Hostel Oasis Granada – $
We stayed at Oasis Hostel and loved our stay! Not only is this hostel one of the very few that actually has a pool, but it is clean, comfortable, and offers a delicious breakfast with lots of different options. They have both dorm beds and budget private rooms available. It’s a spacious property and a great place to socialize with other travelers however there is still an 11 pm quiet time policy so we weren’t disturbed.
You can book Hostel Oasis Granada on either Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Seeing Masaya Volcano and its amazing lava lake is something you should add to your Nicaragua bucket list! I hope our guide has been helpful as you plan a visit here. It’s not every day you get to peek inside an active volcano!
For more help planning an unforgettable adventure, have a look through all our Nicaragua blogs here. Or check out the popular ones below for more tips and places to see!
Nicaragua Travel Guide – Know before you go
21 FUN Things to do in Leon, Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding & SO MUCH MORE