If you want to poke your head over the edge of an active volcano, but don’t have much time, then Volcan Masaya is the perfect place for you. It’s hard to think of a national park that’s easier to reach than the Volcan Masaya. To get there, jump on any bus between Managua and Masaya (or Granada) and ask the driver to let you off at the park’s entrance at km 23. The park offers a transportation service (in addition to the C$80 entrance fee) that costs C$50 each way, or C$100 round-trip, to the top of the crater in a park truck. Nationals pay C$30. From the entrance, it’s 1 km to the visitor’s center and 5 km to the top of the Volcan Nindiri crater. The road is very hot with almost no shade, so if you plan to walk, start early in the day and bring a lot of water. 

If you are driving, park officials ask that you limit your speed to 40 km/h and park your car facing the exit at Oviedo’s Plaza (for a quick getaway in case the volcano decides to be more active than normal). Due to the volcanic emissions, limit your visit to the Santiago Crater to 20 minutes. The park is open 9 am to 4:45 pm daily. Tel: 522-5415, pvmasaya@ideay.net.ni.