Central America is an exciting center of geological activity, with Nicaragua volcanos dotting our tiny country from top to bottom. There are close to twenty active Nicaragua volcanos, and many of them are right outside major cities. That means easy accessibility for visitors seeking adventure or just a close look at nature in its most fiery state. Whatever city you find yourself exploring, make sure to step outside the city limits with a volcano excursion. Most cities have them, and most volcanos are protected as parkland. Some have trails around the rim, parking, and safety walls. In general, however, you'll find an at-your-own-risk approach to safety which parallels the casual nature of Nicaraguan society. This is actually quite refreshing, especially if you've ever had the feeling that the numerous safety signs at National Parks in North America spoils the view.
Masaya is a good place for volcano viewing because the park there has guided tours into caves, trails you can explore on your own, and a visitor center. Volcan Masaya is located between Granada and Managua and you can drive right up to the rim in your car! Peer over the walls and one thousand feet below there's hot smoldering simmering volcano staring right up at you. Gases waft up and don't smell particularly wonderful.
Cerro Negro is another one of the Nicaragua volcanos that beckons visitors from all over the world. It's a fairly new volcano, having only begin bellowing its fire and gas in the 1800s. There's a hot lava trail you can hike to get to the rim. Nothing grows here, and you can't even touch the lava because it's too hot. It's a trip to a dark moon, barren and black and totally magical. This one is accessible only by foot or horseback and the hike is spectacular. View the plentiful agricultural fields below, which grow in soil made rich by centuries of volcanic ash. Hike in the presence of monkies and ascend into the clouds to the top for a memorable volcano hike.
Lake Nicaragua has an island in its center called Ometepe. Ometepe is made of two paritally submerged volcanos connected by a strip of land. One of these volcanos, Volcán Concepción, is still active. The other volcano, Volcán Madera, hasn't had any activity since Medieval times.
