MASAYA VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

The Masaya Volcano National Park offers visitors the rare and unique opportunity to see an active volcano up close. The Santiago Crater is the only volcano in the western hemisphere where you are able to drive right up to the edge and observe the incredible spectacle of burning boiling lava!
The perfect selfie moment!

The volcano has erupted several times in history, and was feared by both the indigenous people and Spanish conquerors. The Spanish baptized the 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. Another, less religious priest, Blas del Castillo, descended into the crater to explore for potential gold based on his idea that the bright orange-yellow molten magma was molted gold.

The National Park has a well-designed visitor center with informative panels of the geology of the country as well as the different ecosystems.

Unique features of Masaya Volcano National Park:

  • This amazing National Park includes two incredible volcanoes, five craters, a priceless crater lake, and breathtaking landscapes.

  • The park has an area of 52km² (22 sq. mi). Its highest peak is 635 meters above sea level (2000ft).

  • According to geological studies at the end of the Pliocene period there were two active neighboring volcanoes, whose activity provoked the collapse of the area, resulting with the current caldera. Eventually underground water filtered to the surface filling up the tectonic depression with a big lake. At the beginning of the Pleistocene period the volcanic activity initiated again with the rising of the twin volcanoes of Masaya and Nindiri from the bottom of the water filled caldera. Huge amounts of magma flowed and spread at the flanks of these two new volcanoes filling most of the caldera with lava, restraining Lake Masaya to its actual size.

  • One of the volcanoes within the National Park, Nindiri, was a major ceremonial site where important human sacrifices were performed. The native dwellers at the base of the volcano, “Chorotegas” strongly believed in a god residing at the bottom of the active crater, who would accurately foretell their future.

  • “Santiago” is the only active crater, formed in 1851, where today visitors can appreciate the intensive volcanic gas activity of its interior.

  • Amazingly there are unique inhabitants that nest on the side of the Santiago crater; the “Aratinga Strenua” is a type of parakeet which has been able to adapt to the sulfuric and hydrochloric acids.

  • Masaya National Park also comprises an interesting system of lava tubes where thousands of insect and fruit bats live in harmony with the surrounding nature.

  • Pre-Hispanic artifacts were also found in the caves where presumably native Nicaraguan settlers conducted important rituals.

Activities:

  • Biological Station and information center

  • Active Santiago Crater

  • Spectacle of burning boiling lava up close!

  • Hiking

  • Geology

Share This Activity! Tag us @orotravel

Contact Us

Send us a message and we will take the time to get to know you so we can help you find your amazing adventure.