If you are going to be volunteering in Central America or even just near Leon, Nicaragua on a vacation, you have got to check out volcano boarding.
Nicaragua’s a pretty rad hidden gem, if you didn’t know. Just to the north of Costa Rica, Nicaragua has the dreamiest Caribbean islands, colonial cities bursting full of towering cathedrals, dense jungles just waiting to be explored, plus outrageous volcano adventures — including the chance to sled down an active volcano.
Come live in Nicaragua and have adventures every weekend
See what volunteering in Nicaragua is like.
Volcano boarding is something you’ve just got to check out while you’re in Nicaragua, and to help you out, here’s what you need to know:
- Wait — What Is Volcano Boarding?
- Where Can I Go Volcano Boarding?
- What Tour Should I Book With? (Details + Costs)
- What Should I Wear?
- How Long Will It Take?
Wait — What Is Volcano Boarding?
It’s kinda like sledding, though instead of zooming down a hill, you’re sledding down the side of an active volcano. And instead of snow, you’re boarding over black lava rock. It’s a total thrill and something you can’t really do anywhere else in the world. It's definitely a must have experience while you're in Nicaragua.
Rad, I'm in. Where Can I Go Volcano Boarding?
You’re going to want to head to the city of Leon, which is about 3 hours away from Granada (where the ILP volunteers are teaching English and living for the semester — Granada’s also a pretty cool city, so be sure to check it out). About an hour's drive from Leon is the towering volcano, Cerro Negro, which is where you’ll go boarding.
How Can I Get To Leon?
From Granada, you can probably grab a shuttle to Leon but expect to pay $30 or so. Or you can take a microbus to Managua, then make a transfer there to get a microbus to Leon. Again, it’s about 3 hours to get from Granada to Leon (which means it’s perfect for a quick weekend trip).
Check out the instructions from CentroCoasting on getting to Leon with a microbus. The biggest perk here is that you'll only be paying a few US dollars if you go with this option, so it's a good wave to save some cash for other adventures.
What Tour Should I Book With? (Details + Costs)
When you get to Leon, you’ll see posters and advertisements for a lot of volcano boarding companies. It's the big attraction here, so it's not hard to set up an excursion if you're doing it at the last minute, but we recommend setting it up ahead of time just so that your plans are set to go (especially if you're only here for a day or two).
Volcano Day
Volcano Day is one of the biggest tour operators in the area. We've had a lot of ILP groups say great things about them, so it's a recommendation we like to pass along! They're also a great deal with the basic package being $25 USD, but for $10 more you can get some awesome extras like snacks, lunch, a t-shirt, and a shuttle down to the beach for sunset.
And side note: We're big fans of the fact they are 100% owned and operated by local Nicans, which is one of our favorite ways to support the community we're traveling to. They also have tours in other parts of Nicaragua (especially for more hikes), so it's a good one to keep in your back pocket.
Private Companies
There are also companies that offer private tours, meaning it will only be your group to and from the mountain. Of course, these are going to cost a bit more, but it's another option you can research.
What To Look For
No matter who you go with though, these are the basic things you'll want to make sure they include:
- 1. Equipment: You’ll need a jumpsuit, goggles, bandana to cover your face from the dust, gloves and a board.
- 2. Transportation: Getting from Leon to the mountain Cerro Negro is about an hour's drive.
- 3. English-speaking guide: This is an adventure-type activity which always comes with the risk of getting injured, so you need to get a proper rundown of the instructions.
What Should I Wear?
Your tour company should let you know, but it’s recommended by most to wear closed-toe shoes to help you on the hike up and to protect your feet while you board down. Sunscreen and a hat (and water!) are also recommended; it’s a hot hike to the top of Cerro Negro.
Since you’ll be wearing a full length jumpsuit to board down, you are fine to hike up in shorts and a tee shirt.
How Long Will It Take?
Most tours are a half-day, leaving in the morning (around 8:00 or 9:00) and getting you back in the afternoon (around 2:00 or after). We suggest booking a tour that leaves early — there is no shade on your hike up, so the earlier you get started the cooler your trek will be.
It’s an hour shuttle from Leon to Cerro Negro, then about a 45 minute hike to the top. You’ll be hiking over lava rocks which can be rough and ragged, so make sure you have proper shoes to help you with that.
It's time to experience Nicaragua
International Language Programs sends college-aged volunteers abroad to help make a difference by teaching English and to soak up the culture of Nicaragua while you live like a local for a few months. Enjoy weekends off and vacation days to see what's waiting for you in Central America.
