Night Tour to the Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua
In Granada, Nicaragua, you can book organized tours to the Masaya Volcano. Normally, I am not a big fan of organized tours and prefer making the trips on my own.
In this case, however, I recommend you book a Night Tour of the Masaya Volcano. When I did it, the tour cost $40, started at 4 pm, and had me back in Granada by 8 pm. In 2026, night tours from Granada cost around US$20 to US$25, and the park’s night visits run from 5 pm to 8 pm, with a US$10 entrance fee for foreigners.
During the tour, you stop near the cross La Cruz de Bobadilla, from where you have a wide view over the volcano, watch bats coming out of a cave, visit an underground lava tunnel, and end at a viewpoint where you can see red, glowing lava when you are lucky.
Before you go (updated October 2026): since February 2026, most visitors to Nicaragua, including US, Canadian and EU citizens, need a visa approved in advance. The US State Department also rates Nicaragua at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, so check your government’s current advice before booking.
At 4 pm we start our tour in Granada. There is one guy from Morocco, one from New York, and two girls from Switzerland in my group.
We talk about our travels and exchange information about favorite places during the drive to the National Park. One of the girls will go to Cuba after Central America.
How cool!
It is one of the top places I want to go. The Moroccan guy is from Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. He already visited many places in the world. He really enjoys his life.
I like this attitude. We should not live to work but work to live. We should do things we really like to do. We only have this one life.
Related Posts:
- Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua: My Run Down Cerro Negro
- Nicaragua Travel Itinerary: 10 Days in the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes
- Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua: Exploring the Island by Bike
We arrived at the national park entrance, our guide buys the tickets for us, and we first drive to the cross near the crater (La Cruz de Bobadilla).
From here, we have a clear view of the volcano. It continuously emits smoke and sulfur gases.
The Masaya Volcano National Park has a size of 54 km² and includes two volcanoes and five craters. The volcanoes erupted several times in the past and were feared by the people living around them.
The Spanish conquerors gave it the name “La Boca del Infierno,” or “The Mouth of Hell.” They built the cross in the 16th century to exorcise the devil.
From the Masaya Volcano, we continue our way uphill to the other craters. There are several trails between 1.4 and 5.9 kilometers.
From the top, you have an impressive view of the smoking volcano and the fascinating landscape. The whole surrounding is marked by the volcano with rocks and covered by volcanic ashes.
Our next stop is at the Tzinaconostoc Cave, where we watch hundreds of bats coming out of the cave. We turn off our flashlights and are surrounded by bats. It is an indescribable feeling. So close to nature.
We continue our way to the underground tunnels that lava streams have formed. Equipped with a helmet and flashlight, we explore the interesting rock formations.
The tour ends at a viewpoint where it is possible to look inside the crater mouth of the volcano. The opening was formed in 2006, and at night it is possible to see red glowing lava.
Well, you have to be really lucky. Also, without seeing lava, I highly recommend doing a night tour of this place. You will feel like on another planet.
Update, October 2026: a lava lake appeared in the Santiago crater in December 2015, and after a landslide it became visible again in mid-2025, though less of it shows than before. Visitors now get about 30 minutes at the crater, and the bat cave and lava tunnels close intermittently because of volcanic activity.
Masaya Volcano night tour FAQ
How much does a Masaya Volcano night tour cost?
In 2026, guided night tours to the Masaya Volcano from Granada cost around US$20 to US$25 per person, including transport and a guide. If you go independently, the park’s night entrance fee for foreigners is US$10.
Can you still see lava at the Masaya Volcano?
Yes, the lava lake in the Santiago crater became visible again in mid-2025, although less of it shows than before a landslide inside the crater. Visibility depends on gas and cloud levels, so seeing glowing lava is likely but never guaranteed.
What time is the Masaya Volcano night visit?
Night visits to Masaya Volcano National Park run from 5 pm to 8 pm, and visitors get about 30 minutes at the Santiago crater viewpoint. Arrive early, because cars line up at the entrance before opening.
Are the bat cave and lava tunnels at Masaya open?
The Tzinaconostoc bat cave and the lava tunnels at Masaya Volcano National Park close intermittently because of volcanic activity. Ask your tour operator on the day whether they are included before you book.
- About the Author
- More info
Tim Kroeger is the founder and editor of Universal Traveller, covering luxury stays and active travel. Based in Bangkok, he draws on 15+ years of travel across 112+ countries, from reviewing luxury hotels to bikepacking through Southeast Asia. He also writes about luxury wellness and longevity travel at tim-kroeger.com, where he developed the Restorative Index.
Which tour company did you book the Masaya volcano night tour with??? I’m finding it difficult to determine which one is best.
Kerry, Canada
Hi Kerry! I have booked my tour with Leo Tours. The organisation and tour guide were really good and as far as I remember there was no reason to not book the tour with them again. Unfortunately, I have no information about the other companies but I guess they are all pretty much the same. Have a nice time in Nicaragua :)
Tim