A Day-Hike around Volcan Masaya
What does the word Masaya mean?
“Masaya
Volcano, lagoon, city, municipality, and department of Nicaragua.
Several interpretations exist regarding the name.
Valle offers two possibilities: mazatl-yan, meaning ‘place where there are deer,’ and matza-yan, meaning ‘place of pineapples.’
Mantica, on the other hand, interprets it as ma-atzallan, meaning ‘place between several waters or lagoons.’
Dávila Bolaños translates it as masa-ya, meaning ‘where fire rains down,’ a variant in the Otomí language.
Oviedo writes Masaya, referring to the volcano, whose Nahuatl name was Popogatepe. The toponym is likely of Mangue origin.”
Main Crater - Volcan Masaya
A Day Hike Around Volcán Masaya
There are several easy trails to explore around Volcán Masaya, which is located near the towns of Ticuantepe and Nindirí. It’s about a 25-minute bus ride from Managua Downtown. If you're staying in Managua, you can take a "chicken bus" from the Casimiro Sotelo Bus Station. The fare usually ranges from C$20 to C$25 per person, depending on where you get off along the route.
Cerro El Ventarrón Trail:
You can disembark from the chicken bus at the Ticuantepe Roundabout and then look for a tuk-tuk (also known as a caponera) to take you to the starting point of your hike to Cerro Ventarrón.
If you choose to hike this trail on the weekend, you may encounter a park ranger at the summit of Cerro Ventarrón who is responsible for charging a C$50 entrance fee to locals.
A stunning 360-degree view of Volcán Masaya at the Summit of Ventarrón
El Ventarrón Community Trail:
After reaching the summit of Cerro Ventarrón, you can continue your hike by following the trail that leads down to El Ventarrón Community.
Laguna de Venecia Trail:
1. Starting from La Sabana Community:
After reaching the summit of Cerro Ventarrón, continue your hike by following the trail down to La Sabana Community. From there, you can find the path that leads to Laguna de Venecia (also known as Laguna de Masaya). The trail from La Sabana Community to Laguna de Venecia takes about 2 hours and is well-suited for tourists with little or no prior hiking experience.
Upon reaching the bay of Laguna de Venecia, you can choose to either take the trail to Nindirí or the trail to Masatepe.
2. Starting from Mirador Guadalupe at Nindiri:
The trail from Mirador Guadalupe to Laguna de Venecia takes less than an hour and is well-suited for tourists with little or no prior hiking experience. Upon reaching the shores of Laguna de Venecia, you'll likely see locals fishing from boats.
Laguna de Venecia
If you're staying in Managua or near Masaya, the trails around Volcán Masaya are a must-visit for anyone traveling to Nicaragua. Not only will you enjoy stunning views of Volcán Masaya and Laguna Venecia, but you'll also have the chance to connect with locals living in the area and learn more about Nicaraguan culture.
