Momotombo Volcano

Momotombo stands at 1,297 metres on the northern shore of Lake Managua, a near-perfect cone that has been the visual shorthand for Nicaragua since the nineteenth century, appearing on banknotes, stamps and rum bottles, and it sits directly above the ruins of León Viejo, the original colonial capital that was abandoned partly because of it. The volcano was quiet for over a century and then erupted again in 2015 and 2016, throwing ash and lava. Climbing it is a hard day on loose ash and rock with no shade, usually done overnight to reach the crater at dawn, and it requires a guide and permission because of the geothermal plant on its flank and the volcano's activity. The smaller Momotombito island sits offshore.

The landscape

• The symmetrical cone - the profile that appears on every Nicaraguan label.
• León Viejo below - the ruined first capital at the volcano's foot.
• The crater - the summit vent, active again since 2015.
• Lake Managua - the water and Momotombito island from the slopes.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the climb. Ascents are usually started at night to reach the top at sunrise and avoid the heat. Access depends on current volcanic activity and can be closed without notice.

Practical notes

The climb is genuinely hard: steep loose ash, no shade, no water on the route and around ten hours round trip. Permission and a guide are required and access is refused when the volcano is restless. Views are often hazy. This is not a casual walk.

Nearby

León Viejo is at the foot; León lies northwest.

Key facts