While searching for things to do in Nicaragua, I stumbled upon “Volcano Boarding.” What in the world, I thought, is that? Then I found out first hand.

Nicaragua, in Central America, is essentially made up of volcanos. There are over 40, and some are still active. Of course, I chose one of those for volcano boarding in Nicaragua.

What is Volcano Boarding?

Volcano boarding is like snow sledding with a few key differences, namely the weather and the surface land. Just like snow sledding, you carry a sled up to the top of the hill and slide down.

For volcano boarding the sleds are never plastic because the heat of the surface would melt them, so wood sled are preferred, but they’re also heavier, making your trek to the top a bit more difficult.

Unlike snow sledding, climbing to the top of a volcano takes a bit more time and, coupled with the hot weather and rough, gravel terrain, gives you quite a workout.

My Experience Volcano Boarding

Cerro Negro – The Black Hill – on the outskirts of Leon is only about 170 years old, making it the youngest active volcano in Nicaragua. “Active” means it erupted last in 1999 and will erupt again one day. I hope to be far away when it does. But, in the meantime, it’s lovely and HOT and fun almost to die on. But I’m jumping ahead.

During my stay in Nicaragua, I joined several people from the local hostel in Las Penitas near the Pacific Ocean. We signed up for a tour with Volcano Day, a group that will take you volcano boarding in Nicaragua or any variety of adventures around the country.

Road Trip

We piled in the back of a tarp-covered pick-up truck – road safety isn’t something many Nicaraguans are concerned with. You’ll see entire families – Dad, Mom, toddler, and infant – cruising down the road on a dirt bike with the dead iguanas they’ll have for dinner strapped on the side.

After about an hour bumping around listening to Pedro Capo singing Vamos pa la playa on repeat, we arrived at the base of the great black volcano.

Rookie Volcano Boarder Mistake

We hadn’t even started the climb to the top and I’d already made my first and biggest mistake.

We parked our trucks, hopped out of the back, and were met by several men who said they would carry our boards to the top of the volcano for $5. The solid wood board weighed between 10 – 15 pounds and the hike to the top was about an hour, maybe less.

Filled with pride in my ability, there was no way I was going to pay somebody to carry it for me. I silently scoffed as one of the women took them up on that offer.

A Long, Hot Hike to the Summit

I hefted the board, looked back at that little, 2,400-foot volcano, and said, “No, I’m good.” I was too, for about 15 minutes. I led the pack, first in line, then second, falling to third … man, it was in the upper 90s, and that board got heavier by the second.

They didn’t tell us that the “hike” was pathless and made up of nothing but gravelly, black ash and lava rock. Actual lava rock is not that easy to hike on.

While I was trudging along at the back of the line, I met up with the woman who’d paid $5 to have her board carried.

“Smartest $5 I’ve ever spent,” she said as she grabbed my arm to save me from stumbling down the mountain.

“Ha. I bet. Where are those guys? I got $50 for the first one I see.” But they were nowhere to be found. We struggled on, sweat pouring in our eyes, slipping and stumbling across the coarse rock, stopping every 15 minutes so nobody died out there, left behind to be eaten by the ever-present circling vultures. They knew what was up. I joke, but only just.

If I Were 20 Instead of 40 this Would be Easier

You would think my lack of physical ability, coupled with my bad attitude, would have dulled the experience for me, but it didn’t. My struggles meant I paused a bit more often than the others, and while they were hiking like they were 20-year-olds who never knew pain, I was taking in the country around me.

At the top, you can rest, cry, walk around, take pictures, whatever you want. You survived. Enjoy it.

You’re probably out of breath and blind from the sweat in your eyes, but if not, the views from the top of the volcano would do it for you. What a sight to behold.

What you Wear to Volcano Board

The volcano is basically ash, so you need a lot of protective gear, so you’re not covered in black ash and dirt. After all, we would have to pile into the back of the truck together for an hour ride home.

After we suited up in our overalls, hats, gloves and goggles we lined up just like regular snow sledding. We tried to be quick about this part because, if I haven’t been clear – it’s HOT.

We lined ourselves up, sleds positioned, and thrust off. But unlike snow, the gravel is HOT, like 120 degrees hot, and blows back in your face as you use your legs to slow your descent as you barrel down that volcano at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

After, despite the overalls and protective gear, there is volcano ash and gravel in every crevice of your body. But, it is worth it.

So, would I go volcano boarding in Nicaragua again? ABSOLUTELY. But I’d pay $5 to have someone carry that board.

Is Volcano Boarding Safe?

Volcano boarding isn’t inherently dangerous, assuming your volcano isn’t likely to erupt. You need good enough physical fitness to climb to the top of the volcano with your board, and the heat in volcano climates can be intense.

While going down the volcano there’s always the danger of falling off your board and getting gravel rash, like road rash, and just like snow sledding, you could break a bone.

See other experiences I’ve tried here.

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