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How to visit Masaya Volcano | Detailed guide
One of the things you can't miss in your itinerary through Nicarwater is the Masaya volcanoThis volcano is the second most active in Central America and is a prime example of the spectacular nature of the world. It has been active for thousands of years but hasn't had a major eruption since 1772, making it safe to visit.
The volcano has 5 craters but the best known is the Santiago crater since it is the one with lava inside. This is also popularly known as the gate of hellThe name was given to it by the Spanish upon arriving in this area in the 16th century and witnessing the incessant volcanic activity of this crater. They believed they had found the very entrance to hell.
HOW TO GO TO THE MASAYA VOLCANO
Note 2025: One of the walls of the Masaya volcano crater has partially collapsed and blocked direct visibility of the lava.
The Masaya Volcano National Park is located between Managua and Granada so getting there is quite easy. Any minivan or chicken bus that connects the capital with the city of Granada or Masaya can drop you off in front of the entrance to the park.
Si You prefer to travel with everything organized. you can hire a tour from Managua o from Granada.
How to get from Granada to the Masaya volcano
✹ Recommended accommodation in Granada: Hotel with Heart
To go from Granada to the entrance of the Masaya National Park you have to take any chicken bus or minivan going to Managua and buy the ticket to the Masaya volcano. In the case of the bus it should cost you around 30 córdobas and the minivan a little more. The journey lasts 40 minutes and remember to tell them to drop you off at the park entrance.
The starting points of these transports are the Granada Oriental bus terminal located two blocks from the market or the Granada-Managua bus terminal next to the Central Park.
To return from Masaya Volcano to Granada It is exactly the same in reverse, at the entrance of the park you will have to stop (raising your arm) any bus or minivan and tell it that you are going to Granada, there is a small bus stop to wait for them.
How to get from Managua to the Masaya volcano
To go from Managua to the Masaya volcano you have to take any chicken bus or minivan that goes to Masaya or GranadaDue to the capital's traffic and the multiple stops on the outskirts, it takes at least 1 hour to get there. These buses start the route from the UCA Terminal in Managua.
HOW TO VISIT THE MASAYA VOLCANO FOR FREE
For us, the ideal is visit him in the afternoonThis way you can watch the sunset from the top and once night falls appreciate the intense orange light that comes from inside the crater.
The entrance to the park can be paid in both dollars and córdobas and includes van transfers to travel the 5 km from the ticket office to the crater.
If you enter the Masaya volcano before sunset you will have time to climb the asphalt steps that connect the crater with the Cruz de Bobadilla viewpoint. At the top of the viewpoint there is a huge cross and you will have privileged views to other craters of the volcano, to old volcanic flows and to the entire environment. As a curiosity, there is a cross because of what we said at the beginning that the Spanish thought it was an entrance to hell.
If the sun is still high in the sky, I recommend climbing to the San Pedro crater; it's the highest of them all and, in our opinion, offers the best sunset views. From there we saw one of the best sunsets in Nicarwater above the Santiago crater. In the opposite direction, if the day is clear, you will see Apoyo Lagoon, Granada, and Lake Cocibolca.
Once the sun sets go to the viewpoints next to the crater to appreciate the spectacle of the bubbling lava inside.
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The vans will be waiting in the parking lot after sunset. If you don't have any questions for any of the guards, they have direct contact with the entrance office and can call one.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST VISIT THE MASAYA VOLCANO
Visit Masaya volcano for free It will be very cheap, practically only the price of the ticket because transportation is between 30 and 40 córdobas, so the total cost would be like this:
- Transport per trip €0,75-€1
- Night ticket €9
Per person one total €11. If you prefer to do it with tour, you will have no problem finding it. Many tourist companies in Granada offer a Night tour to the Masaya volcano which includes private transport, admission and a guide to accompany you.
If you've just arrived in the city, you can book it online or at any backpacker hostel Located in the city center, they often organize all kinds of excursions or sell tours from other companies.
I hope this article on how to visit the Masaya volcano helps you get to know this wonder of nature. Remember that we have Other articles from Nicarwater that could help you if you are going to visit this interesting country. You can also relive our trip through Central America by watching our stories on Instagram.
