Mombacho Volcano
Mombacho Volcano
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Mombacho Volcano and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
Contribute
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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,140 reviews
Excellent
657
Very good
322
Average
106
Poor
30
Terrible
25
Waleed
Canmore, Canada82 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
This is based on Mombacho crater 1, this is a total waste of time and money. For $22 US pp the park drives you up to the volcano to literally get to see the city of Granada, Apoyo lake and Masaya in far horizon. If you want to do all 4 craters a guide is required and an additional $25 US plus per person. This was an event that could be completely avoided without FOMO.
Written 2 March 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.
Marianne F
Sydney, Australia79 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We did a morning walk on the Tigrello track with guide 'El Tigre', who was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The cloud forest is beautiful, the crater views terrific when not in the cloud! The walk took us about 3 hours but that was because our guides were happy to go slow and look for wildlife and tell us about the forest, plants, and history. We'll worth a trip, we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written 6 February 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.
Sandy B
Kingsport, TN39 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Catch the early “bus”—the open air transport that grinds its way up almost a mile of winding roads through coffee plantations and rainforest. Take one of the trails from the reserve hostel, keep going to the overlook and look down below at the peninsula with 365 islands ....formed when where you stand exploded years ago when Mombacho erupted. The peninsula you see was the lava that flowed out into Lake NICARAGUA. Continue on the trail to an open field with even more fantastic views. Look around and enjoy the orchids and ferns at every turn. If you’re quiet you may hear the growl of a jaguar or the grunts of howler monkeys. Watch carefully as you ride the bus back down the mountain—-that’s the Pacific Ocean and the well-known Volcán Santiago at Masaya that appears through the breaks in vegetation. Sometimes the temperature drops so you may need a jacket.
Be advised! Anyone with back or neck problems need to be aware that the “bus” ride up and down the mountain will jerk and jostle you. You might need to miss this incredible journey:(
Be advised! Anyone with back or neck problems need to be aware that the “bus” ride up and down the mountain will jerk and jostle you. You might need to miss this incredible journey:(
Written 14 February 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.
Karla A
18 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Un lugar espectacular! Make sure you are ready to walk a lot. Wear comfortable shoes. It was not too hot. Customer service was great! I highly
Recommend the canopy zip line. You can buy breakfast, zip line and lunch for about 33.00 dollars per person at cafe la flor.
Recommend the canopy zip line. You can buy breakfast, zip line and lunch for about 33.00 dollars per person at cafe la flor.
Written 6 April 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.
SunnyW358
Albuquerque, NM6,533 contributions
Jan 2020
We have done this hike before and have always found it to be great exercise. I just read my review from 2015, which said it took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there. Five years later, with a very short pause we still could reach the top in 1 hour 40-50 minutes or so.
It is not easy, but with a bit of motivation, it can be done. It is good to take something warm because when you reach the top, very sweaty, it can be cold, if it is windy up there.
We did not stick around for the views because it was very windy and cloudy.
Again we took a ride back because we did not want to torture our knees anymore.
Will definitely do it again.
It is not easy, but with a bit of motivation, it can be done. It is good to take something warm because when you reach the top, very sweaty, it can be cold, if it is windy up there.
We did not stick around for the views because it was very windy and cloudy.
Again we took a ride back because we did not want to torture our knees anymore.
Will definitely do it again.
Written 6 January 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.
KendeMalamu
Brussels, Belgium124 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We were in the clouds so no view. The Puma trail took us 1hr30 (not 4 hrs), I am 57 and not particularly fit but we decided to get our weekly exercise so we walked relatively fast I guess (and no pauses for the non-existent views); most foreigners do it in 2 hours according to our guide. The forest was beautiful even in the mist. Lots of steps, can be slippery.
I knocked two stars off the experience because these guys have a monopoly and there was not even coffee available at the top (but coke was available). This is a pity because one can wait a while for the truck to go back down. Had an altercation with the grumpy manager who refused to stick to the schedule of the return truck saying that he decides when the truck leaves. He was also not going to let us drive up in our manual Land Rover 4WD - evidently a Toyota fan! Said it would not make it…
Perhaps a bit overrated and a hassle to get there and back (even if you have a 4WD!), we may have been influenced by the weather. Guide said that in March one has a better chance of clear skies. On the afternoon it was clear… but as others have pointed out, in the afternoon maybe there are no guides available…
I knocked two stars off the experience because these guys have a monopoly and there was not even coffee available at the top (but coke was available). This is a pity because one can wait a while for the truck to go back down. Had an altercation with the grumpy manager who refused to stick to the schedule of the return truck saying that he decides when the truck leaves. He was also not going to let us drive up in our manual Land Rover 4WD - evidently a Toyota fan! Said it would not make it…
Perhaps a bit overrated and a hassle to get there and back (even if you have a 4WD!), we may have been influenced by the weather. Guide said that in March one has a better chance of clear skies. On the afternoon it was clear… but as others have pointed out, in the afternoon maybe there are no guides available…
Written 16 December 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.
heathweb78
San Francisco, CA73 contributions
Aug 2023
An amazing experience.
I got lucky and b/c it was low season and a weekday I got my own guide for the Puma trail. First things first - when you hear you are driven up in a truck to get to the start of the hike you might be inclined to push back and say you want to start your hike from the entrance of the park. Don't do this on your first time unless you plan to do the easier or mid range trail.
The Puma trail is AMAZING. Sadly it was cloudy so I didn't get killer views (often it was just white) but the first half is through the gorgeous green, rain forest area and I was really entranced by the dead forest and thought it was so unique.
I'm in good shape, hike regularly and the steepness of the trail was tiring and strenuous but not impossible. Took about 2.5 hours but it will take longer if you're with a group.
Luis was my certified guide and he was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and the ecosystem and passionate about conservation.
Really enjoyed my time here and the staff and locals are friendly
I got lucky and b/c it was low season and a weekday I got my own guide for the Puma trail. First things first - when you hear you are driven up in a truck to get to the start of the hike you might be inclined to push back and say you want to start your hike from the entrance of the park. Don't do this on your first time unless you plan to do the easier or mid range trail.
The Puma trail is AMAZING. Sadly it was cloudy so I didn't get killer views (often it was just white) but the first half is through the gorgeous green, rain forest area and I was really entranced by the dead forest and thought it was so unique.
I'm in good shape, hike regularly and the steepness of the trail was tiring and strenuous but not impossible. Took about 2.5 hours but it will take longer if you're with a group.
Luis was my certified guide and he was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and the ecosystem and passionate about conservation.
Really enjoyed my time here and the staff and locals are friendly
Written 17 August 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.
gringoflaco
Boston, MA69 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
If you're going to be in Granada, this is one of the side trips you should absolutely NOT miss (the other being Las Isletas). You start out at the little station near the base of the volcano, and depending on how many people are making the trip up, you might pile into the big, open military style truck, or into the back of a park-owned pick-up. We arrived early (8:30), and rode up with all the guides arriving for work.
The road up Mombacho is mind-bogglingly steep. Don't fret, though- the drivers know what they're doing. As you climb, you'll notice the temp dropping and the flora changing. Eventually, you'll enter cloud forest, and will be surprisingly cool, damp, and misty. This will feel utterly alien after the searing heat of Granada. The temperature at the top of the volcano on the day we visited was 66 degrees. It's also quite windy, so I was still chilly with pants and a long sleeve shirt.
There is a visitors' center at the top, with displays about the wildlife within the reserve, and a model of the volcano to give you a sense of where you are and where the various trails go. This is also where you should find a guide. I'm not positive about this, but it appeared that guides worked on a system based on seniority. As we were the first group to arrive, I think we got the senior guide, who was extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic. If you arrive early, you will have the reserve pretty much to yourself, AND you will probably get the best guide. I forget exactly how much it costs to hire a guide for the Sendero El Crater (the shorter, roughly 1 hr loop), but it was very reasonable and absolutely worth every Cordoba.
The shorter loop trail (Sendero El Crater) is not particularly long or challenging (We had an 8 yr old and a 70 yr old in our group, so it was ideal), but is extraordinarily beautiful and interesting. The variety of plants is amazing. All of the larger trees are covered in various types of bromeliads, mosses, vines. It's wild. One tree along this path has something like 37 types of different plants growing on it! It's cloud forest- dense, lush, fascinating. This trail eventually comes out into a very different-looking open, grassy area that is much, much drier. This is where you'll see (and feel) the fumarolas (fumaroles)- openings in the ground emitting warm air. You'll see steam at the larger ones. If you dressed inadequately, this is a good place to warm up. There is a look-out point here, too. As the clouds whip by, look down on Granada, Las Isletas, the countryside below. The views will come and go as the clouds come and go. It's dramatic and otherworldly.
You may or may not see any wildlife - it's more about the plants and geothermal oddities here. That said, we did see a sloth clinging to a branch practically hanging over the trail near the end of our hike. That made my daughter's day.
Had I not been traveling with a child and my older parents, I would have loved to hike the other trail (Sendero El Puma) as well. This trail is longer, and is supposed to be much more challenging. You are not allowed to hike it without a guide.
You can have lunch at the visitors' center (arrange before you set off on the trail). The food is just okay. To my dismay, beer not available.
If you are debating whether to make this trip, please trust me and do it. Get there early, get a guide. And pack a sweatshirt or something!
The road up Mombacho is mind-bogglingly steep. Don't fret, though- the drivers know what they're doing. As you climb, you'll notice the temp dropping and the flora changing. Eventually, you'll enter cloud forest, and will be surprisingly cool, damp, and misty. This will feel utterly alien after the searing heat of Granada. The temperature at the top of the volcano on the day we visited was 66 degrees. It's also quite windy, so I was still chilly with pants and a long sleeve shirt.
There is a visitors' center at the top, with displays about the wildlife within the reserve, and a model of the volcano to give you a sense of where you are and where the various trails go. This is also where you should find a guide. I'm not positive about this, but it appeared that guides worked on a system based on seniority. As we were the first group to arrive, I think we got the senior guide, who was extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic. If you arrive early, you will have the reserve pretty much to yourself, AND you will probably get the best guide. I forget exactly how much it costs to hire a guide for the Sendero El Crater (the shorter, roughly 1 hr loop), but it was very reasonable and absolutely worth every Cordoba.
The shorter loop trail (Sendero El Crater) is not particularly long or challenging (We had an 8 yr old and a 70 yr old in our group, so it was ideal), but is extraordinarily beautiful and interesting. The variety of plants is amazing. All of the larger trees are covered in various types of bromeliads, mosses, vines. It's wild. One tree along this path has something like 37 types of different plants growing on it! It's cloud forest- dense, lush, fascinating. This trail eventually comes out into a very different-looking open, grassy area that is much, much drier. This is where you'll see (and feel) the fumarolas (fumaroles)- openings in the ground emitting warm air. You'll see steam at the larger ones. If you dressed inadequately, this is a good place to warm up. There is a look-out point here, too. As the clouds whip by, look down on Granada, Las Isletas, the countryside below. The views will come and go as the clouds come and go. It's dramatic and otherworldly.
You may or may not see any wildlife - it's more about the plants and geothermal oddities here. That said, we did see a sloth clinging to a branch practically hanging over the trail near the end of our hike. That made my daughter's day.
Had I not been traveling with a child and my older parents, I would have loved to hike the other trail (Sendero El Puma) as well. This trail is longer, and is supposed to be much more challenging. You are not allowed to hike it without a guide.
You can have lunch at the visitors' center (arrange before you set off on the trail). The food is just okay. To my dismay, beer not available.
If you are debating whether to make this trip, please trust me and do it. Get there early, get a guide. And pack a sweatshirt or something!
Written 28 February 2013
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.
sarahmS7677AB
Covington, TN25 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
After working at a medical mission event for a few days, I had one day to enjoy the volcano.
I took a taxi from Hotel Granada to Mombacho for about $6, or 200 Cordobas. I don’t really speak Spanish, but the driver knew where I wanted to go when I said Mombacho Volcano. It was about a 20 minute ride, or 7ish miles from town.
My plan at the park was to walk from the base camp to the very top, and then hike the Puma Trail, which is the most difficult. The park offers a shuttle ride for $20, but I really was looking for the full adventure. The park employee tried to talk me out of walking up to the top, but I wasn’t changing my mind. I run everyday and did a full marathon a month earlier, but the walk to the top was HARD. I wore my Garmin GPS watch and it said I walked about 4.5 miles and over 3,000 feet of elevation. That’s a hard walk. Some parts were so steep that I couldn’t see how the road was sticking to the ground! About 2-3 shuttles passed me in the nearly 2 hour walk, but that just motivated me. I did stop at the cafe and shop on the way up. You can buy souvenirs (coffee, cups, etc.) at the shop, and you can eat/drink at the cafe for good prices. I had a cup of coffee and slice of cheesecake for like $6-$8 dollars.
Once I got to the top, I went to pay the trail fees. There are two trails. One is like $2 dollars and you don’t need a guide. The other is the Puma trail, which is more, plus an additional $17 dollars for the mandatory guide. Unfortunately, because I took my time on the hike up, I got to the top at 12:30, and they cut off Puma trail hikes at 12:00 because they say it takes 4 hours to complete. I was disappointed, but I enjoyed the easy hike on the “Crater” trail.
I then hiked back down the volcano all the way back to the main road, where I waited on the public bus. That only cost $10 Cordobas, or like .50 cents. The bus takes you back to the center of Granada, and I was able to find my way back to my hotel.
Quick summary:
Don’t sign up through a tour company. They are like $30 or more dollars. You can get there by bus or taxi.
Be prepared to pay at the bottom of the volcano, as well as at the top.
Unless you are in good shape, pay the $20 for the shuttle that takes you to the top.
If you want to hike the Puma trail, I advise getting there early to ensure you get a guide.
I have attached some pics, one has all the prices that you need.
I took a taxi from Hotel Granada to Mombacho for about $6, or 200 Cordobas. I don’t really speak Spanish, but the driver knew where I wanted to go when I said Mombacho Volcano. It was about a 20 minute ride, or 7ish miles from town.
My plan at the park was to walk from the base camp to the very top, and then hike the Puma Trail, which is the most difficult. The park offers a shuttle ride for $20, but I really was looking for the full adventure. The park employee tried to talk me out of walking up to the top, but I wasn’t changing my mind. I run everyday and did a full marathon a month earlier, but the walk to the top was HARD. I wore my Garmin GPS watch and it said I walked about 4.5 miles and over 3,000 feet of elevation. That’s a hard walk. Some parts were so steep that I couldn’t see how the road was sticking to the ground! About 2-3 shuttles passed me in the nearly 2 hour walk, but that just motivated me. I did stop at the cafe and shop on the way up. You can buy souvenirs (coffee, cups, etc.) at the shop, and you can eat/drink at the cafe for good prices. I had a cup of coffee and slice of cheesecake for like $6-$8 dollars.
Once I got to the top, I went to pay the trail fees. There are two trails. One is like $2 dollars and you don’t need a guide. The other is the Puma trail, which is more, plus an additional $17 dollars for the mandatory guide. Unfortunately, because I took my time on the hike up, I got to the top at 12:30, and they cut off Puma trail hikes at 12:00 because they say it takes 4 hours to complete. I was disappointed, but I enjoyed the easy hike on the “Crater” trail.
I then hiked back down the volcano all the way back to the main road, where I waited on the public bus. That only cost $10 Cordobas, or like .50 cents. The bus takes you back to the center of Granada, and I was able to find my way back to my hotel.
Quick summary:
Don’t sign up through a tour company. They are like $30 or more dollars. You can get there by bus or taxi.
Be prepared to pay at the bottom of the volcano, as well as at the top.
Unless you are in good shape, pay the $20 for the shuttle that takes you to the top.
If you want to hike the Puma trail, I advise getting there early to ensure you get a guide.
I have attached some pics, one has all the prices that you need.
Written 19 January 2018
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.
Robin L
Raleigh, NC271 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Getting to and enjoying Mombacho without a tour takes some understanding of what to expect to plan and enjoy the experience. I shared a cab with a friend from Granada to the base of the volcano. The cab cost $10.00. We took the first truck at 8:30 in the morning and arrived at the ranger station at 9:00. The round trip cost was $20.00 per person and $4.00 per person to enter the park. Upon arriving at the ranger station we had several choices. The short and easy hike was free, could be done without a guide, and takes less than an hour. There are two other hikes, both quite difficult, one that takes 21/2 hours and one that takes 4 hours. Both hikes must be accompanied by a guide. We selected the mid range hike and paid $17.00 for an English speaking guide, who made sure we were safe and was knowledgeable about flora and fauna and all the wildlife. The hike was challenging, to be sure, climbing to 2,220 meters above sea level - but was views were breathtaking. We saw very few hikers and it felt like we were alone exploring the volcano. At the end of our hike we had to wait quite a long time for the return truck to take us down the mountain - we opted to hike the 2 kilometers down to the coffee plantation and catch the truck for the rest of the trip down. My calves hurt for three days so maybe that was not the best decision. There were cabs waiting for us at the end of the truck ride and it was another $10.00 back to Granada. With tips we spent less than $100.00 for two people; the cost could be less if there were more people sharing the cost of the guide and cab. I feel it was money well spent and I loved being able to make decisions about how I spent my day; with a tour I think I might have felt rushed.
Written 23 January 2015
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.
What is the cost per adult and per child to use the park's own transportation up and down the mountain? I am quite confused by their rates listed on their website. Can anyone explain the costs listed on the website? We are a foreign family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children). Thanks!
National Children walk $2.00
Foreign walk children $4.00
National transport children $4.00
Foreign children transport $10.00
National walk adults $4.00
Nationals transport $8.00
Foreign walk $5.00
Foreign adults with transportation $20.00
Right to Camping
(Visitor brings his tent, the price is per store) $20.00
Access 4×4 $22.00
National Adult Passenger 4×4 $3.00
National Child Passenger 4×4 $2.00
Adult stranger Passenger 4×4 $5.00
Kid stranger Passenger 4×4 $3.00
Written 16 February 2018
How can I contact them directly?
Written 24 January 2018
We want to ride the Zip Line, we will be driving ourselves, what time should we arrive for the afternoon Zip Adventure?
Written 24 January 2018
Midday you'll get a better tan not as busy because it's too hot
Written 2 June 2019
Can this be a self guided hike or are we required to go as part of a tour? We are a family of three with a 7 year old child and prefer to go at our own pace.
Written 28 February 2017
You can definitely do it on your own! a tour guide is only required for the 2 longer hikes. You can do the basic 1-2 hour loop on your own.
Written 1 March 2017
En partant de Granada, y a t'il des autobus qui peuvent nous amener au parc du volcan Massaya?
Written 7 February 2017
Any bus from Granada to Managua should be able to drop you at the entrance of the park. The main problem is going to be the walk from the entrance to the top of the crater. It is especially a challenge if you want to see the lava in the night since it can be pitch dark, and cars go on the same road.
As a reference I paid $35 for a taxi to go the Masaya volcano, wait there for us to see the lava and bring us back.
Have a good trip.
Written 7 February 2017
Hi there! Who did you book the zip-line tour with? We're looking into options, but getting a bit of an internet run-around. Thanks!
Written 5 February 2017
You can contact Cafe Las Flores directly to reserve the zip line tour. It is fabulous. We have visited several times and they are very profesional and safety minded. Highly recommended.
Written 19 February 2017
I'd like to get to the 1345m summit ie the highest one, farthest East, farthest from the access road. Is this possible?
Thanks
Written 7 January 2017
Hi,
There is only one crater you can do on your own. The other 2 offered by the park which you must do with a guide are El Tigrillo & Puma. We did EL Tigrillo. The lady we stayed with told us that the Puma one didn't go to the highest point. We stayed with Cynthia in Mombacho Lodge so you could try emailing her or Cafe des Flores or the park to get an answer incase you can hire a private guide to do it, good luck. I admire your stamina and fitness!!!
Written 8 January 2017
We want to hike to the 1344m summit. Which trail is that? Do we have to have a guide? Any info appreciated Thanks
Written 6 January 2017
Just saw this! Honestly I dot know what trail that would be, however I do know you will need a guide. They are sticklers for having guides on that mountain. Happy trails!
Written 12 January 2017
Is this open on Christmas eve or Christmas day?
Written 24 December 2016
Hi could you let me know how fit you have to be to a trek aroun Mombacho as one of our group is not very fit, they are okay to walk on the flat but not very good if steep or hilly. Thanks
Written 3 April 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 15
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing