Masaya Volcano

Masaya Volcano is a mountain in the Masaya Department in Nicaragua, with the Santiago crater holding a permanent lava lake inside. The crater releases gases year round and shows occasional explosive activity.

Spanish conquerors placed a cross at the crater rim in the 16th century, believing the devil lived in the fiery depths below. The cross was meant to drive out the demonic forces they saw in the glow.

Local people called this mountain Popogatepe, meaning burning mountain, a name that reflected the smoke and heat they saw rising from its depths. Today visitors can watch sulfur clouds drift across the rim while listening to the low rumble coming from below.

A paved road leads right to the crater edge, letting visitors look into the active vent from close range. Because of the gases, it helps to come on a windy day and not stand at the rim for too long.

Only a few places on Earth let you drive a car right to the edge of an active lava lake. Visitors can see the red glow of molten rock directly below without having to hike for hours.

Location: Masaya Department

Elevation above the sea: 635 m

Part of: Central America Volcanic Arc

Address: Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua

GPS coordinates: 11.98216,-86.16212

Latest update: December 20, 2025 00:16