Volcano Boarding In Nicaragua

Some travel experiences fade over time, but volcano boarding in Nicaragua is not one of them. Hurtling down the side of an active volcano on a small board, ash beneath you and endless sky all around you, is not the sort of adventure that one ever forgets.

In equal parts an adrenaline thrill, physical challenge and a connection with nature, volcano boarding is a must-do for travellers seeking something truly, ahem, beyond the ordinary.

What is volcano boarding?

Also known as sand boarding, ash boarding or even volcano sledding, volcano boarding involves participants sliding down the side of a volcano on their bottom, with nothing more than a thin board, generally either metal or wood, between them and the ash.

While also sometimes referred to volcano surfing, this generally refers to sliding down a volcano while standing on a board.

Where in Nicaragua can one experience volcano boarding?

By far the most popular destination for volcano boarding in Nicaragua is Cerro Negro, a brooding volcano in western Nicaragua. At almost 750 meters above sea level, and part of the Cordillera de los Maribios range, Cerro Negro is, somewhat appropriately for the subject matter, the youngest volcano in Central America.

The first eruption of Cerro Negro was as ‘recent’ as 1850 while the last was in 1999. In case you’re wondering, its name, ‘Black Hill’ in Spanish, refers to the dark volcanic ash and rock that line its slopes.

Leon – The perfect base for volcano boarding

The obvious starting point for your volcano boarding adventure is Leon, a historic and charming colonial city that is around 45 minutes’ drive from Cerro Negro.

Not only is Leon a great base for travelling to Cerro Negro (as well as the Juan Venado nature reserve on the coast), it is also a wonderful destination in its own right, home to a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral, one of the best modern art galleries in Latin America and a great selection of restaurants and bars. Being a university town, it also has a young and energetic vibe.

The climb to the top

Before you can slide down the volcano on your board, you must first climb to the top. Accordingly, you will need to hike up loose, volcanic rock and ash to reach the summit and, while the trail isn’t technical in any way, it normally takes about an hour and can be physically demanding, especially as you’ll be carrying your board.

As recompense, along the way you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding volcanic landscape and, on a clear day, perhaps even a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Descending a volcano – Fast, Fun, and Fearless

At the top, participants will be provided with protective gear by the guides — goggles, gloves, and jumpsuits — before receiving a quick lesson on steering and braking. The boards themselves are simple, generally reinforced wood or metal, but don’t let that fool you. Once gravity takes over, simplicity becomes speed.

The descent only takes a few minutes, but it’s pure exhilaration all the way. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you can control your speed with your feet, carving lines down the volcanic surface and kicking up clouds of dust as you go.

Volcano boarding speeds can reach thrilling levels, but because you’re in control, you can enjoy the ride whether you’re an adrenaline junky hurtling down the mountain or taking it easy and soaking up the experience and scenery.

Planning your volcano boarding experience – what you need to know.

As a full service tour operator, Beyond The Ordinary are able to offer our clients the full volcano boarding experience from Leon as part of an overall holiday to Nicaragua. We do not offer such trips as a purely stand-alone excursion.

Private tours to Cerro Negro

While the majority of tours and excursions to Cerro Negro operate on a group basis, Beyond The Ordinary only offer private volcano boarding arrangements.

Our private tours include a specialized guide, private transportation from and to Leon, equipment, water and a snack.

While clients can depart at the time of their choosing, we strongly recommend early departures due to weather conditions and high temperatures during the day. Upon prior request, we can also arrange support staff to help carry equipment.

Please note that, while we offer private volcano boarding tours to Cerro Negro, these private arrangements naturally extend simply to transport & guides – you are not booking private use of a volcano!

Are there any age limits?

The minimum age for volcano boarding through us is 14 years old and children must be accompanied by a parent, not just an adult.

The maximum age is 65 years old, provided the guest is in good physical condition.

Regardless of age limits, participants should be in good physical condition. This activity is not recommended for anyone with hypertension, diabetes, cardiac conditions or other special medical conditions.

When is the best time to experience volcano boarding?

Due to the nature of the experience, the best time to go is during the dry season (November or December through April), when conditions on the ground are optimal and the skies are clear. As already stated, we also suggest booking a morning experience.

We would recommend against booking anything for the wettest months of the year, such as September.

Do I need special equipment or clothing?

Boards and protective overalls are provided but we strongly recommend that you wear your very worst clothes / shoes (you will still get covered in dust) and remove all jewellery. We also suggest that you take sun protection cream with you, perhaps a hat for the way up, and water.