Cerro Negro Volcano 2024
Cerro Negro Volcano 2024
4.7
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
1,155 reviews
Excellent
853
Very good
232
Average
59
Poor
4
Terrible
7
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Afish1
26 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Book the volcano boarding with Quetzaltrekkers - firstly, they donate most of your money to their scholarship scheme for nicaraguan kids, for the same price as other tour companies ($30 inc park entry). secondly, you go an hour earlier than all other tour groups so we didn’t have to wait for others to go down, we were the only ones up there the first time. It’s also a lot cooler. i dont know how big their groups can get, but there were only 5 of us which was perfect. They also offer for you to do it a second time, which is worth the extra hike up!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yoss Gálvez
San Pedro Sula, Honduras193 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
It is an unforgettable experience, if you like adrenaline you will not regret it. It's the only place in the world you can do #volcanoboarding. You climb the volcano for about 45 minutes to an hour, the guides are very friendly, they give you a brief talk about the country's volcanoes. You carry a backpack with your protective suit and glasses. You CAN'T forget: cap, glasses, water and your scarf. Upstairs it is quite windy which stirs up the volcanic sand. Another thing: follow the instructions and see how others do it so that you do it better and your slide is a success ✨ at the end of the activity it gets good too 🍉🥃🍡🌋
Written October 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gladys C
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Solo
Once in a lifetime adventure. Cool, competent guides. Felt safe the whole time. There were backpackers, families with young kids and even an elderly man doing the volcano boarding so anyone can do this! I wished we could’ve gone faster. Overall, the guides (Sam and Kasha) were amazing!
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan
Calgary, Canada9 contributions
Apr 2022
We did our private tour with Franklin and Victor from Vamos Tours. See the website down below. They were amazing and we actually added on another 1/2 day tour after sandboarding. I would recommend them as they do a lot of different types of tours around Nicaragua. Franklin is very knowledgeable about the area and the history of Nicaragua. Victor is a great driver of his Toyota Land Cruiser and gets you everywhere safely.
A few comments on sandboarding: I booked late and as such was not able to get in touch with most tour groups for a next-day sandboarding adventure. Although very happy with our "private tour" of 2 of us (my wife and I) I would say that we paid about $30 US more per person than if you book ahead with a tour operator that does group tours (6-20 people). Take a look at some of the comments for sandboarding and see what people on larger tours are saying.
For the actual experience, the hike up Cerro Negro carrying a board is a relatively moderate effort. There are a few steep parts and the wind was howling at the top which we were told is quite rare. We are both in pretty good shape so it wasn't too much of a struggle. Just saying so that you know what you are getting into. Our guide offered to carry my wife's board so that she effectively didn't get blown off the mountain. Once at the top we parked the boards and hiked a bit longer so that we could look down into some other craters off to the sides. When we got back to the boards we changed into some coveralls, added gloves, and goggles and got ready to go. The guide does a bit of explaining and then runs down a couple of hundred feet with your camera so that they can take some video of you coming down.
Overall I was happy that we both did the tour BUT you don't go nearly as fast as you think that you should (or want to)(your weight plus the rocks coming over the top of your board slow you down significantly), it is over in a few minutes as opposed to the time it takes to hike up, and we could only do it once. Several friends have told us that you can do it as many times (usually 2) that you want in the time allotted. Not worth $60 for an hour of experience but definitely worth $30 for the chance to tell your friends that you tobogganed down a volcano I would say.
A few comments on sandboarding: I booked late and as such was not able to get in touch with most tour groups for a next-day sandboarding adventure. Although very happy with our "private tour" of 2 of us (my wife and I) I would say that we paid about $30 US more per person than if you book ahead with a tour operator that does group tours (6-20 people). Take a look at some of the comments for sandboarding and see what people on larger tours are saying.
For the actual experience, the hike up Cerro Negro carrying a board is a relatively moderate effort. There are a few steep parts and the wind was howling at the top which we were told is quite rare. We are both in pretty good shape so it wasn't too much of a struggle. Just saying so that you know what you are getting into. Our guide offered to carry my wife's board so that she effectively didn't get blown off the mountain. Once at the top we parked the boards and hiked a bit longer so that we could look down into some other craters off to the sides. When we got back to the boards we changed into some coveralls, added gloves, and goggles and got ready to go. The guide does a bit of explaining and then runs down a couple of hundred feet with your camera so that they can take some video of you coming down.
Overall I was happy that we both did the tour BUT you don't go nearly as fast as you think that you should (or want to)(your weight plus the rocks coming over the top of your board slow you down significantly), it is over in a few minutes as opposed to the time it takes to hike up, and we could only do it once. Several friends have told us that you can do it as many times (usually 2) that you want in the time allotted. Not worth $60 for an hour of experience but definitely worth $30 for the chance to tell your friends that you tobogganed down a volcano I would say.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joshua b
22 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Mostly for volcano sledding. It's an ok activity, but overhyped. The hike is About a half hour, not to steep. I recommend this activity, but not to be over hyped; snow sledding is more fun, people just get caught up in the exotic feel of it all...i get it...i went twice.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,591 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We ventured up this volcano as part of a Volcano boarding tour with Volcano Day. To get there you need to take a bumpy dirt road for a couple of km, so not advisable if you are planning to get there on your own with a hire car. It is a moderate hike up to the crater rim that takes around 45min with a couple of breaks along the way. The views over the valley and along the line over other Nicaraguan volcanoes is quite spectacular. The side that you board down is steep however it isn't as scary as it looks and you have control of the speed that you go. Boarding is the best way to experience this particular volcano.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alejandro Tenorio
San Jose, Costa Rica9 contributions
Jan 2020
Sandboarding from the top of Cerro Negro in Leon, Nicaragua is a great adventure. The hike uphill rewards you with fantastic views of the surrounding area and neighboring volcanoes. The slide using the woodboards looks intimidating at first, because of the perception of a steep descent from the top, but it is rather manageable and safe. You can really control the speed. We booked the tour with Pinolero Tours, from Chinandega. Highly recommended.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlotatrx
Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain442 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Very interesting landscape. I went with a volcano boarding group which I think loses all the beauty the volcano has : it destroys the frozen lava and creates paths. People from these trips can be nasty and leave trash in the volcano, or smoke cigs in dry areas , without the guides saying anything. That pissed me off because I think it really contributes to the destrection of the untouched beauty.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I P
2 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Volcano boarding with Bigfoot hostel and boarding. Great guide, spoke perfect english, everything explained very well. Cozy and very professional. Totally TOP.
For a price of $37 pp icl transportation and lunch.
For a price of $37 pp icl transportation and lunch.
Automatically translated
Written November 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scotty99
Vancouver, Canada64 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
Volcano boarding outside of Leon Nicaragua is a must for anyone that like adrenelene junky sports. It takes about 1hour to get to the active volcano through some great country. Then the journey begins by strapping your board to your back and climbing up the volcano for about an hour. Take the scenic tour of the smouldering craters and awesome views of the countryside before you hit the ashfields and descend on your board. Boarding takes about 45 seconds and goes all the way to the bottom. This is not for the faint of heart and the hike up is enduring but well worth it.
I recommend Arny at Mas Adventures in Leon masadventures@gmail.com. He was one of the first to board the volcano in 2004 and his son Deigo at the age of two was the youngest to do it. Mas Adventure will take you in a 4x4 with a small group for $28 (including park fees). If you choose like most to do Bigfoot, expect a huge group, no tour of the volcano and a very young crowd.
This is a one-in-a-lifetime thrill that I can highly recommend.
I recommend Arny at Mas Adventures in Leon masadventures@gmail.com. He was one of the first to board the volcano in 2004 and his son Deigo at the age of two was the youngest to do it. Mas Adventure will take you in a 4x4 with a small group for $28 (including park fees). If you choose like most to do Bigfoot, expect a huge group, no tour of the volcano and a very young crowd.
This is a one-in-a-lifetime thrill that I can highly recommend.
Written March 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I saw plenty of people going up and down with their kids -- maybe ages six or eight. They sat on the boards with their parents going down. I'd 100% recommend you pay the few bucks to have the local carry the kids' boards up the mountain (and you're own if you're not to confident). The boards weigh a few pounds and are annoying to carry -- more so when the wind kicks up.
Written April 23, 2018
Solo needing a group tour!
Hey, I’m so keen to do the volcano boarding but wondered if anyone knows of a group tour from Granada? I’m on my own and thought it will be no where near as fun (and a lot of tour companies don’t offer for solos) thanks in advance!
Written March 23, 2018
we used Tierra Tours in Leon but they were contracted by Oro Travel in Granada who helped us arrange our trip
Written March 24, 2018
Solo needing a group tour!
Hey, I’m so keen to do the volcano boarding but wondered if anyone knows of a group tour from Granada? I’m on my own and thought it will be no where near as fun (and a lot of tour companies don’t offer for solos) thanks in advance!
Written March 23, 2018
yeah, Leon is worth a night and i think any tour company there will take a single in their group...
Written March 24, 2018
Hi:) My friend and I are travelling to Nicaragua, and we really want to try the sandboarding. However, I have never snowboarded before, and I get a little afraid of high speed. Will this tour be Ok for me ?
Written February 3, 2018
Sorry just seeing this question now but I guess it’ll be useful for others.
Yes you can slow with your feet when you go down.
Written September 7, 2018
Hey @ all, we'll visit Lèon the next days and of course Cerro Negro incl. Sandboarding is a "must have".
Is it somehow possible to go there without a guide? By Taxi to the BaseStation and rent a board / suite there? 30$ for a 4hs trip sounds a bit too much, since most of it must be for transfer etc. We don't need somebody who tells us the history during the 1h hike. But of course we also don't want to be there lost, alone and just to figure out that we can't rent a board/cloths.
Thanks in advance for your support...
Reg... Benni
Written February 2, 2018
Désolé ! je ne lis votre message que aujourd'hui. J'imagine que vous avez déjà fait la descente du volcan ?
Written May 22, 2018
cantillorivera92
Leon, Nicaragua
Horario de visita al cerro negro? Me pueden dar especificaciones...
Written October 22, 2017
salimos desde Penitas a las 8:00 h y despues de un recorrido de aprox 1h 30" llegamos al punto de control donde nos especificaron unos datos sobre el ascenso y posibilidad de contratar el descenso sandboard .
Written October 22, 2017
Recomiendo a Manuel Tellez de Barbaro Tours . Excelente atención y calidad humana al servicio de turismo . Emprendedor de León .
Written April 22, 2018
if you make the tour at 8.00am you will be back in Leon at 13!
Written July 22, 2017
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