Everything You Need to Know for an thrilling Volcano Boarding Adventure
If you visit Leon, a tour to Cerro Negro Nationalpark is a must. Especially, as it’s the only place in the world, where you board down an active volcano. How crazy is that? And that’s not even everything. Cerro Negro National Park itself is a truly amazing place – lush green forests next to the carg black rocks of the volcano. On the top you can even have a view on the volcano crater and feel how the earth is much warmer there. So definitely, don’t miss out on this unique experience of Volcano Boarding Cerro Negro!
Volcano Boarding – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Volcano boarding at Cerro Negro can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. However, if you’re looking for the most favorable weather conditions, it’s best to plan your visit between mid-October and April. This period marks Nicaragua’s dry season, which offers the greatest likelihood of clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Thus making for an even more enjoyable experience as you race down the volcanic slopes.
Cerro Negro National Park is located just outside León, Nicaragua, making it a prime starting point for most volcano boarding tours. While the majority of tours depart from León, there is also one option available from the coastal town of Las Peñitas for those staying nearby.
León itself is one of Nicaragua’s major cities. It serves as a hub for local transportation, with many chicken buses and shuttles frequently traveling to and from León, connecting it to other cities such as Managua and Granada. The nearest airport is situated in Managua, which is approximately an hour and a half away from León.
You have three choices for the Volcano Boarding Tour at Cerro Negro:
- the early morning tour (30$)
- the afternoon sundowner tour (35$)
- or an overnight stay
The early morning tour is typically the most affordable at $30. The afternoon tour offers stunning sunset views and a lively party bus ride back. Anyway, there are mainly two tour operators: Big Foot Hostel and Volcano Day. If you’re staying at Big Foot Hostel, it’s convenient to book with them and enjoy the experience with fellow travelers. Alternatively, if you’re at Viavia Hostel or Poco a Poco Hostel, you’ll go with Volcano Day, a more local organization that caters to backpackers.
- Transport from your hostel to Cerro Negro Nationalpark
- Guide to Hike Cerro Negro
- Rental of Board, Overall, and Goggles
- One Meal
- Freeflow Rum-Cola on the Way Back
- Marshmallow BBQ Snack
Whats not included:
10$ entrance fee for the national Park
- Sneakers or Hiking Boots You will need some good shoe gear to hike Cerro Negro. And more importantly, your shoes will be your brakes while you board down the volcano. Make sure they have a solid sole and don’t take your favorite shoes. They will for sure get dirty!
- Bandana/Scarf While boarding down Cerro Negro there will be a lot of dust and rocks in the air. So, make sure you have something to cover your face. You will receive some goggles from the tour operator. But also take a bandana, scarf, or worst case a t-shirt to cover your mouth and nose.
- Water Depending on the weather you will need a descent amount of water for your hike. On the day I did the volcano boarding, it was very cloudy, so one liter of water was definitely enough. But, on sunnier days I would recommend taking two liters. Just leave the second liter of water at the bus.
My volcano boarding experience at cerro Negro
For our volcano boarding adventure, we opted for the afternoon tour, which kicked off with a convenient pick-up right from our hostel at 1:30 PM. The afternoon start gave us plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed morning and gear up for what promised to be an exciting experience ahead. After hopping into the van, we had a short drive through the vibrant streets of León as we made our way to our first stop: Viavia Hostel.
Upon arrival at Viavia, we were greeted by a friendly buzz of excitement as travelers from different hostels gathered for the tour. The vibe was great, and we quickly felt a sense of camaraderie forming within the group. Here, we were introduced to our guide for the day. A lively and knowledgeable local who shared a bit about what we could expect from the trip. We finalized our payments, ensuring all the logistics were sorted before heading out. Additionally, we got to choose a free T-shirt from Volcano Day — a nice little souvenir to remember the trip by.
The Journey to Cerro Negro
Once everyone was ready, we hopped onto a classic chicken bus, heading towards the Cerro Negro National Park. The drive took about an hour, with the road being quite bumpy. However, the stunning views of the landscape, farmland, and small rural villages made it worthwhile.
On arrival, we were given a tag to show we had paid the park entrance fee. (This is also your last chance to use the bathroom.) We then made our way to the base of Cerro Negro and prepared for the hike. Each of us was handed a bag containing an overall suit, goggles, and our board. We left most of our belongings on the bus and just packed a liter of water and a bandana to protect our face from the dust. After a quick group photo, we were ready to start the hike!
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to carry your board — it’s quite bulky and awkward to handle — you can pay a local to carry it for you.
The Hike up to Cerro Negro
The hike to the summit of Cerro Negro positively surprised me. It took us around 1 to 1.5 hours to make our way up, but every step was worth it. The trail, covered in jet-black volcanic stones, created a dramatic contrast against the lush, green forests stretching out below. It felt like we were hiking on another planet, surrounded by a surreal mix of vibrant greenery and the stark black of the volcanic landscape. As we ascended, the views became even more impressive. The surrounding countryside unfolded before us, a patchwork of farmland, forest, and distant volcanoes. It was the kind of scenery that made you want to stop every few minutes to take a picture.
About halfway up, our guide paused the group for a short break. She shared some fascinating stories about the history of Cerro Negro, which is one of the youngest and most active volcanoes in Central America. It was interesting to hear about the powerful eruptions that shaped this landscape.
When we finally reached the summit, we were greeted with a moment of pure magic — the sky cleared up. Thus, offering us an amazing view of the entire landscape. Moreover, standing at the edge of the crater, you could feel the ground was significantly warmer. Digging just a few centimeters into the surface, the stones were so hot that you had to pull your hand back quickly. It was an unforgettable moment, realizing that we were standing on an active volcano, feeling its heat radiate through the rocks.
The Thrill of Volcano Boarding
At last, we reached the moment we had all been eagerly waiting for: volcano boarding! The excitement was huge as our guide gathered us for a final safety briefing. She gave us clear instructions on how to position ourselves on the board, how to steer, and — most importantly — how to control our speed as we raced down the steep slope. Feeling a mix of nerves and adrenaline, we strapped on our goggles, adjusted our bandanas, and lined up at the edge of the descent.
One by one, we took off, each rider disappearing into a cloud of black volcanic dust and stones. The ride was exhilarating and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I quickly realized it was trickier than expected. Instead of speeding up, I found myself focusing hard on staying balanced and keeping the board on track. There’s definitely a learning curve, and while I managed a decent ride, I couldn’t help but think how much faster I could go with a bit more practice. It’s the kind of thrill that makes you want to head back up the volcano and try it again right away!
One member of our group opted to “snowboard” down instead of using the standard board. Despite his experience on snow, he found the volcanic ash to be an entirely different beast. What was intended to be a smooth glide down the slope turned into more of a tumble, with plenty of falls and stumbles along the way. He would not recommend doing it (especially, as it comes with an extra cost).
Wrapping up the Adventure
Once everyone made it to the bottom, we took a short 5-minute walk back to the bus. We sat down, relaxed, and enjoyed the beautiful sunset views while our guide handed out sandwiches for dinner. It was a calm and lovely moment, a perfect way to wind down after the adrenaline rush of boarding.
As it got dark, we climbed back into the bus, which quickly turned into a party bus with loud music, bright lights, free rum and cola for everyone, and even some dancing. At first, it felt a bit awkward since not everyone was in a party mood, but if you just let it happen, it was actually quite fun. Halfway back, we made a stop at a local farmer’s house, where we grilled marshmallows over an open fire — a sweet ending to a great day.
The party continued on the bus until we arrived back at Viavia Hostel. We had a chance to finish our drinks and sit together for a while before heading back to our own hostel.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Volcano Boarding at Cerro negro is unforgettable!
All in all, our volcano boarding experience at Cerro Negro was a thrilling adventure that I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting Nicaragua. From the exhilarating hike with its stunning views to the adrenaline rush of racing down the volcanic slope, it’s an unforgettable journey that will leave you amazed long after it’s over. One piece of advice: if you prefer a more laid-back experience without the party vibes, consider booking the morning tour instead. The afternoon option can turn into quite the party bus on the way back, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Either way, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
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