When I started planning my Central America holiday, I didn’t really know much about Nicaragua. I remember seeing the country on Survivor and thinking it looked beautiful, but I never really thought much past that. Once I started looking into it, I realised just how much beauty there is in the country – and how much the landscapes and activities piqued my interest. So, I planned a large chunk of my six weeks around Nicaragua. The main activity? Volcano boarding.
A little back story before I get into it:
Unfortunately, as a New Zealander, Nicaragua had recently introduced a requirement for a visitor visa. Because this was such a new process, it was very complicated, with not a lot of information available about it. I had already applied for the visa and booked my time in Nicaragua (flexible), but I hadn’t heard anything back. Getting nervous, I reapplied, but from a different part of the website.
The day came when I was meant to arrive – but the visa still hadn’t come. So, I changed my plans based on the assumption that I wouldn’t be able to go. I was devastated thinking that I wouldn’t be able to visit this incredible country that I had planned so much around.
Annoyingly, the visa came through later that evening. Obviously, by this point I still wouldn’t have been able to enter Nicaragua that day, but it meant I could adjust my plans again and reintroduce Nicaragua back into my itinerary.
And I am so glad I did. Enter, volcano boarding.
León
Honestly, I didn’t know much about León, but when I looked into places to go and things to see and do, León sat right at the top of my list.
Because of just one thing: volcano boarding.
I was already hiking an active volcano in Guatemala and thought, how exciting would it be to board down one?! So, my two nights and one full day in León were booked and confirmed.
What Is Volcano Boarding?
I initially thought volcano boarding was the same as snowboarding, but down a volcano. Actually, it’s a little more like sledding – just down a very, very steep mountain!
You’re provided with a jumpsuit, goggles to protect your eyes from the dust, and the board you’ll use to sled down the side of the volcano.
Booking the Experience
I booked a sunset tour through the original volcano boarding company, Bigfoot Hostel, which is also where I stayed for my two nights in León.
For US$37.90, you get transport on a party bus, a souvenir T-shirt, dinner at a local family’s house, a free drink and shots on the bus, photos, snacks, a bilingual guide, and all the gear needed for boarding.
For that price, I think the value is incredible for what you get.
Book your stay at Bigfoot Hostel with hostelworld
Getting to Cerro Negro
Getting to Cerro Negro is all part of the adventure and fun. The journey takes roughly an hour on the bus, but this goes by quickly because the party starts the moment you get on!
Yep, you guessed it – we were already playing games and taking shots.
The energy on the bus was incredible, and everyone got really into the music and the vibe right from the get-go. It was such an amazing feeling, especially knowing that everyone was there for the same experience.
Once we arrived at the volcano, the rangers gave us a short safety demonstration and some information about the volcano. We were then provided with our boards and ready to start the hike to the top.
Climbing the Volcano
The hike can take anywhere between 45 minutes and an hour. Carrying your board while hiking up is tough, so it’s important to go at your own pace and make sure you stay hydrated.
On the day I went, it was at least 40 degrees and HOT. There was a little wind, which helped to ease the heat, but it also made carrying the board a little more difficult.
There are people who can carry your board for you for a small fee, which many people chose to do. I did consider this, but overall I wanted to be able to say I had completed the entire experience by myself, without any help.
That being said, it was difficult, but it was achievable.
The start of the climb is the hardest and most technical. It’s a bit steeper for the first 10 minutes, and you’re walking over rocks while also trying to carry your board, which makes it even harder.
The climb does continue gradually upwards after that, but it’s not quite as tough. Once you’re past the rocks, you get more onto the ridge of the volcano, where it can often feel like one step forward and two steps back as the gravel moves slightly underneath you.
Volcano Boarding!
The actual experience itself was insane – but in the best way.
Everyone gets into their orange jumpsuits and puts on their goggles and balaclavas, then you walk a little further down to the starting “lanes”.
When you’re standing at the top, you can’t even see where you finish. So yes, it is very steep.
But when you’re actually boarding down, it doesn’t feel nearly as bad as it looks!
You have a rope to hold onto and your feet on either side of the board to help control your speed and direction. You can go as fast or as slow as you want.
In the first section, you can get a feel for how it works and figure out your control. Then, once you have a handle on it, if you want to go faster, you lean back more and put less pressure into the ground.
The fastest speed is 105km/h, so it’s possible to get VERY fast.
For me, I had ambitions to go fast. However, the reality at the time was quite different! Every time I picked up speed, I felt like I didn’t have enough control of the board, so I ultimately kept to a slower speed.
At the end of the day, I had the third-slowest time at 21km/h, along with about seven other people.
For someone so competitive and with a love of adrenaline, I was a little disappointed in my time. But actually, it doesn’t really matter. As long as I had fun, that’s what counts!
In hindsight, I wish I had just gone faster anyway, because the worst that could happen was falling off – which some people did, and they were fine.
So, if you’re going on this experience, my recommendation is to just full send it!
Was Volcano Boarding Scary?
Honestly, I would say no.
Looking at Volcán Cerro Negro from the bottom, and then again from the top, was definitely intimidating. From the top, you can’t even see where you’re going to finish!
But once you’re actually on the board and heading down, it doesn’t feel nearly as scary as it looks. You have control over your speed and direction, so you can go at whatever pace you feel comfortable with.
They even told us a story about someone who took more than 30 minutes to make it down the volcano!
So, if you’re worried about being forced to go at an insane speed, don’t be. You’re in control of your own ride.
What Happens After Volcano Boarding?
Once everyone has finished volcano boarding, you head back to the bus to take off your gear. Then we all sit on top of the bus to enjoy some snacks and watch the sunset together.
The guides announce the three slowest and three fastest boarders, with the fastest and slowest receiving a prize when we return to the hostel!
The sunset was absolutely beautiful, and it was an experience I’ll remember forever.
Once we had enjoyed our time coming down from the adrenaline, the party continued on the bus ride towards dinner. A drink was provided for everyone, and the rounds of shots continued.
Music blasted, people danced and hung from the rails while taking shots. It was a crazy time – but wow, it was some of the most fun I’ve had.
And one of the best parts was that every single person joined in and participated.
After all the partying, a local family provided us with a delicious dinner feast, along with dessert of roasted marshmallows over a bonfire.
You really felt like you were part of a big community. Everyone had an amazing time boarding and sharing their stories. Maybe some of us were a little intoxicated by this point, but overall, everyone was feeling a buzz of happiness.
Upon returning to the hostel, our fastest and slowest boarders received their prizes. And if you’ve booked this on the right day of the week, the party is likely to continue into the night!
As much as I wanted to go, I had an early start the next day, so I didn’t continue on with everyone. But I still felt like I had a really good taste of the party and was more than content to head to bed.
What to Wear and Bring
Dress for the day – it’s likely to be hot, so I recommend wearing something cool and comfortable.
You’ll be provided with a jumpsuit for the boarding, so you’ll be fully covered once you start.
You’ll want to bring:
A face covering for the boarding itself to protect yourself from the dust
Sunglasses
Plenty of water
Hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes
Sunscreen
My volcano boarding essentials : sunglasses | face covering | sunscreen (my all time favourite sunscreen!)
Would I Recommend It?
100 times over, yes.
If I haven’t convinced you to try volcano boarding from this post, then I don’t know what will!
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
For US$37.90, you get an incredible amount included – but more importantly, you get an experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
From hiking up an active volcano in 40-degree heat, to flying down the side of it, watching the sunset with a group of complete strangers, and finishing the day with dinner at a local family’s home, it was one of those travel experiences that I know I’ll remember for a very long time.
And honestly? I wish I’d gone faster.