Active volcanoes are open to the public

Stephany Cuadra | Jul 7, 2016

There are five volcanoes that have been in constant activity since a few months, four of them are completely open to the public except one. In this article we'll talk about your current tourism, I know the details.

Starting from Chinandega, according to Angel Andino, tour guide from Tour Guides Cooperative in Leon, the San Cristobal Volcano (highest in Nicaragua), offers a tour that goes from the city to “Finca La Roja”, where visitors can also leave their vehicle parked if needed and a fee of 5 dollars; where they give them a cane, to start the walking along the path that is signposted to the viewpoint.

Keep in mind that in the northern failure of this volcano, there is always seismic activity, but there are always seismographs at the foot of it, for constant monitoring.

Also, the Momotombo Volcano (one of the most currently active) is on alert. Although, there was a little seismic activity recorded in the last 4.500 years, on December the first last year, people reported large plumes of smoke from an explosion, overflowing social networks with images of the impetuous show.

Currently, local people still awaiting a confirmation from INETER for the opening, however, certain tour operators are encouraged to go alerting the guards to visit, even if is not officially open.

If they manage access to the reserve, you may take a hike and climb the volcano with a guide or make camping. Furthermore recommended they scale them in suitable hours by the strong sun and rockslide. Climb lasts between five and eight hours.

For the current intense volcanic activity, local guidelines recommend the use of masks in both volcanoes (San Cristobal and Momotombo) due to the emission of sulfuric gas. Since these are scale on the west side and wind blowing from east to west reaches that side of the cone of the volcano, the most vulnerable to inhaling gases visitors.

Following the tour of the department of Leon, we find the Telica volcano, which is constantly roaring and outgassing. Visitors walk up the east side of the volcano to reach the crater and enjoy the view. The entrance has an approximate cost for foreigners of 5 dollars and 2 dollars for national, both accompanied by a guide. In addition to offering discount for groups of people.

On the other hand, in this same volcano, Jorge Tapia, Director of Logistics and Operations Safari Adventures Tour Operator, mentions two paths such as: walking and by car. The first lasts three hours, the second one and a half. Including 45 minute climb to see the lava, with an average difficulty level. This package is offered by various operators and has an approximate cost of US$50, which includes transportation and guide local diner.

Within the same department of Leon is the Cerro Negro formed from volcanic sand, which is about 45 minutes drive from the city of Lion. Despite being active, it does not erupt for 14 years and the emission of gas is very low.

The particularity of this volcano is that, despite so tired climbing (by tilting the volcano), can slide faster and a lot of adrenaline with a special table for sandboarding. The entrance fee is 5 dollars per person and 2 dollars per vehicle parking.

The last on our list is the Masaya Volcanoe On February the 10th this year, INETER warned it almost doubled the movement of magma and seismicity, causing alarm among the population of the Pacific Nicaragua, with earthquakes of magnitudes up to 4.1 Richter without any damage reported, according to la Prensa, Nicaraguaś newspaper.

The visitor center part, camping area and Plaza Oviedo are open to the public, but the other part of the park, such as caves, is temporarily closed. You can take a tour in the afternoon or evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm to appreciate the great appeal lava lake for about 20 minutes.