3 Volcanoes Granada: Mombacho, Apoyo & Masaya Night Tour

Hike a cloud forest crater, swim in warm volcanic waters, then watch lava glow after dark.

A full-day tour from Granada visiting three volcanoes in their different states: Mombacho's dormant crater wrapped in cloud forest, Apoyo's extinct crater lake where you swim or kayak, and Masaya's active crater lit by lava at night. The tour includes all park entry, round-trip transport from Granada, and a kayak at Apoyo Lagoon. It runs 7 to 9 hours and requires moderate fitness. Lunch is not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mombacho Volcano3h · entry included
2. Catarina30m · entry included
3. Apoyo Lagoon3h · entry included
4. Masaya Volcano1h · entry included

Visit Mombacho, Apoyo, and Masaya Volcanoes

• Hike Mombacho Volcano crater trail
• Enjoy viewpoint and artisan shops at Apoyo
• Relax and swim at Apoyo Crater Lake
• Explore Masaya Volcano museum
• Night tour to active Santiago crater

The experience

Mombacho Volcano starts the day at the top of a cloud forest. You hike the crater trail, moving through dense vegetation to spot fumaroles and wildlife, then reach a viewpoint overlooking Granada, Lake Nicaragua and the surrounding landscape. The forest here is thick enough that the peak often sits inside its own weather (that is what "cloud forest" means), so the light and the view shift as you climb.

From there the tour drops to Catarina, a village with artisan shops and a vantage point over Apoyo Crater Lake, before heading down to the lake itself. Apoyo is an extinct volcano whose crater filled with warm, brackish water thousands of years ago. You get time to swim in it or paddle a kayak across the surface. A restaurant sits on the shore if you want to eat (you bring your own lunch or buy there). The water stays warm year-round because of the volcanic geology underneath.

Masaya Volcano, the active one, gets its own visit after dark. You enter through the main gate and see the lava flow from the last major eruption in 1772, then stop at the national park museum to learn the volcano's history. As night falls, the tour drives to the Santiago crater at the summit, where you watch the glow of active lava and gases rising from the crater itself. This is the reason the tour saves Masaya for evening. The lava is visible only after sunset.

What’s included

• Entry to Mombacho Volcano, Apoyo Crater Lake and Masaya Volcano National Park.
• round-trip transport from your hotel in Granada (or Managua, depending on the option you choose).
• a kayak at Apoyo Lagoon.
• and a live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Three volcanoes tour starting from GranadaGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 08:30Pickup is included from your hotel, Airbnb or meeting point in Granada

Three volcanoes tour departing from ManaguaGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 07:30Pickup is included from your hotel, Airbnb, airport or meeting point in Managua

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nica Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Book from Granada if you're staying in the city and want to avoid the longer drive from Managua. Book from Managua if that's where you're based. The moderate fitness requirement reflects the Mombacho crater hike and the overall pace of three volcano stops in one day, so it suits travelers comfortable with a few hours of walking and a full schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What's the hike like at Mombacho Volcano?

The crater trail at Mombacho winds through cloud forest, the dense vegetation that wraps the upper slopes. You walk around the dormant crater, observe fumaroles and the forest's plants and animals, then reach a viewpoint with views of Granada and Lake Nicaragua. The hike requires moderate fitness.

Can I swim at Apoyo Crater Lake?

Yes. Apoyo Lagoon's warm, brackish water is swimmable, and the tour includes time to swim or kayak. A restaurant operates on the shore if you want to buy lunch there, though meals are not included in the tour price.

Why does the tour visit Masaya Volcano at night?

Masaya is an active volcano, and the glow of the lava in the Santiago crater is visible only after dark. The night visit is what lets you see the lava and gases rising from the active crater. A daytime visit would show you the crater but not the lava light.

What's included in the tour price?

Entry to all three volcanoes, round-trip transport from Granada, a kayak at Apoyo Lagoon, and a live guide in English or Spanish are included. Lunch and drinks are not included.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours from start to finish, covering three volcano sites and the travel time between them.

Can I book this tour from Managua instead of Granada?

Yes. The tour is available as a departure from Granada or from Managua. You choose which at checkout, and the route adjusts accordingly.