Whether you want to stick to the most popular stops in the Masaya area (who can resist a visit to the smoking Volcán Masaya or a dip in Laguna de Apoyo’s clear waters?) or head off the beaten trail to explore the less visited wonders (such as the walls of petroglyphs above Laguna de Masaya), the only hard decision you’ll have is to pick out what sounds the most interesting. Here are a few suggestions:

Hike by lava light: head to the Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya in the evening for a tour when parakeets are returning to their roosts and, against the darkness, the molten rock far inside the crater becomes visible.

Ask a witch: Diriomo is known for a tradition of brujeria, which residents trace back to their indigenous ancestors. The current practitioners of all things magical and medicinal are easy to find, just ask a local mototaxi driver to take you there, but bring your wallet, the cures don’t come cheap and even a consult can cost around C$100.

Befriend a potter: The most vivid pottery displays might be right at the entrance to San Juan del Oriente, but it’s down the town’s side streets where you’ll find the true artisans. Stop in one of their houses, usually marked by small displays, and you’ll not only find more elaborate ceramics, you’ll have a chance to see how the locals turn a lump of clay into art.

Dance in the market: Masaya’s Mercado Nacional de Artesanías in the original 19th century building is worth a visit, especially during the weekly “Jueves de Verbena” when, for a small fee, you get to watch groups perform national dances and try them yourself on the open dance floor.