Masaya Volcano & Apoyo Lagoon tour: Lava views, swimming

Crater views, a nature reserve swim, and volcanic history in one morning

A 5-hour tour from Managua that combines swimming or kayaking at Apoyo Lagoon with a guided visit to Masaya Volcano's active crater. Your English-speaking guide picks you up at your hotel, takes you first to the lagoon's natural reserve where you'll see monkeys and birds, then drives you to the national park visitor center to learn about Nicaragua's volcanic belt and handle volcanic rocks, and finally up to the crater viewpoint for 20 minutes to photograph the orange lava glow underground. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Volcano tour and lagoon activities

• Meet local guide at hotel
• Drive to Apoyo Lagoon nature reserve
• Swim and kayak at lagoon
• See monkeys and birds
• Depart to Masaya Volcano visitor center
• Learn about volcano history and volcanic rocks
• Drive to volcano viewpoint and parking lot
• Take pictures of lava and crater
• Return to hotel in Managua or Masaya

The experience

The day starts at your hotel in Managua or Granada with pickup from your guide. You head first to Apoyo Lagoon, a natural reserve where you can swim or kayak in the water and spot monkeys and birds. The lagoon has restaurants on-site if you want to eat. After you leave the lagoon, the drive takes you to Masaya Volcano National Park, where the first stop is the visitor center. There you'll learn about the history of Masaya Volcano and how Nicaragua's volcanic belt works, and you can hold volcanic rocks from the museum in your own hands.

From the visitor center, your guide drives you all the way to the top of the volcano to the parking lot and viewpoint. This is where you get the photographs: the guide will show you the best spots to frame the orange glow of the lava you'll hear running underground in the background. Because the volcano is very active, you're allowed to stay at the viewpoint for 20 minutes. After that, you're driven back to your hotel in Managua or Masaya.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Managua or Granada.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• entry to Masaya Volcano National Park and the visitor center.
• 20 minutes at the crater viewpoint.
• access to Apoyo Lagoon as a day pass with swimming or kayaking.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lagoon +volcano+salvador allenUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 12:00Enjoy the full adventure with Masaya Volcano and Apoyo Lagoon, then spend a pleasant evening at the Salvador Allende port by Lake Managua; pickup is included

Apoyo Lagoon and Masaya VolcanoUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10:30, 11:30, 12:00 and 13:00Free airport pickup: we collect you from the airport for free on the same day as the tour; pickup is included

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 10:30, 11:30, 12:00 and 13:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years): free · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 12

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Show Me Nicaragua Tours

Is this one for you?The tour combines two very different stops (a lagoon swim and an active volcano) in one morning, so you get both nature and geology without splitting your day. If you want to see the lava glow and handle volcanic rocks but also want time in the water, this route fits both into five hours with the drive included.

Traveler reviews

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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 (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years): free; Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What can I do at Apoyo Lagoon on this tour?

Apoyo Lagoon is a natural reserve where you can swim or kayak in the water. The lagoon has restaurants, and you'll see monkeys and birds while you're there. It's included as a day pass.

How long do I spend at the Masaya Volcano crater?

You're allowed to stay at the viewpoint for 20 minutes because the volcano is very active. Your guide will show you the best spots to photograph the lava glow before you head back down.

What does the visitor center at Masaya Volcano include?

The visitor center teaches you about the history of Masaya Volcano and how Nicaragua's volcanic belt works. You can handle volcanic rocks from the museum yourself.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, your guide picks you up at your hotel in Managua or Granada and drops you back there at the end. Airport pickup is available for $10 per person if you need it.