Santiago crater
The active crater, reached by a paved road. The time at the rim is limited because of the gas, and visitors park facing out.
Masaya · Nicaragua
Masaya Volcano National Park
Nicaragua's first national park, with an active crater that glows at night, a short drive from Managua and Granada.
- Created in 1979
- Active Santiago crater
- About 30 minutes from Managua
- Closures when gas or activity are high
About the park
Masaya Volcano National Park, created in 1979, was the first national park in Nicaragua. It protects a volcanic complex of craters and lava fields between Managua and Granada, where the Santiago crater releases gas continuously and, in some periods, shows a glowing lava lake that is the main attraction at dusk.
A paved road leads right to the crater rim, and there is a visitor centre with a small museum, a few short trails and viewpoints. Because the crater releases sulphur dioxide and its activity changes, the park or parts of it are closed from time to time. Please ask us for the current situation before you plan a visit.
- A crater with gas and, at times, a glowing lava lake
- A short drive from Managua and Granada
- Dusk and night visits when open
- Visitor centre and short trails
Wildlife
Parakeets nesting in the crater wallsCoyotesBats in the lava cavesDry-forest birds
What to see
Visitor centre and trails
A small museum about the volcano, and short walks to other craters and lava fields.
Night visit
A guided visit at dusk and after dark to see the glow, when the park offers it.
Plan your visit
- Entrance
- Foreign visitors pay at the park gate; recent visitor reports mention about $10 per person, with an extra charge for the night visit. We could not confirm the current price from an official source, so please treat it as approximate.
- Closures
- The park has been closed more than once after landslides and explosions in the crater. We check the current situation before you go.
- Hours
- Daytime and, when offered, an evening visit. Published hours differ between sources, so we confirm them.
- Best time
- The dry season from November to April; go late in the afternoon for the glow of the crater.
- What to bring
- A light jacket for the evening, a hat, water and, for people with breathing problems, a reminder that the gas is irritating.
How the entrance is paid
We did not find a national online ticket system for Nicaraguan parks. Entrance is normally paid at the park gate or office, in cash (US dollars or córdobas), and some places are run by communities or foundations with their own prices.
Ask us for the current price and the rules before you go, or for a guided visit with the entrance arranged.
Information is approximate and based on public guides and press reports, not on an official fee table; hours, fees and access change. We confirm the current conditions before you go.
Getting there
By road
The park is on the Managua–Masaya highway, about 30 minutes from Managua and 30 to 40 minutes from Granada.
Transfer
Ask us for a private transfer or a guided visit from Granada or Managua.
Frequently asked questions
Is the volcano open now?
It has been closed in the past after landslides and explosions. Ask us for the current situation.
Can I see lava?
A lava lake is visible only in some periods. Do not expect it on every visit.
Is it safe for children?
The gas can irritate, and the time at the rim is limited. We advise on request.