Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Volcanos of Northern Nicaragua - Cerro Negro, the majestic San Cristobal and Coseguina

Hike the Volcanoes – Cerro Negro and the majestic San Cristobal and Coseguina all sit short day trips from the marina area. San Cristobal is Nicaragua’s largest volcano, located in the quaint town of El Viejo. Cerro Negro, often described as Nicaragua’s most unique volcano for its short, steep climb and lack of vegetation, offers outstanding 360-degree views from its 400 meter peak. Coseguina is the best ‘lush jungle’ hike of the three. It is also the easiest....just a 30 minute hike to the rim from where you can park.

These are pictures taken on our recent hike up and around the Coseguina volcano.











From the Marina office it is just over an hour drive on the newly paved road and then the dirt road (the newly paved road will get closer and and closer as they finish the highway to Potosi) Once we could no longer drive due to road conditions we got out and hike about a half an hour to the rim of the volcano under lush jungle canopy which kept it cool. The crater is quite a stunning sight with its green lagoon and steep lagoons all around. Looking back and then around you can see the Padre Ramos Estuary and nature reserve, Honduras, El Salvador and volcanoes in all three countries. From the rim we headed about an hour to the east and then north to the point where we could see the ‘finger’ pushing into Bahia Fonseca. Between 4 of us we went through 6 bottles of Gatorade and 6 liters of water and we wish we had more so bring plenty of water and food. Two of us road our bikes from the Marina to the volcano and one of us road part way back. We all surfed in the morning so, needless to say, we were all worn out and slept quite well that night!!!

Below are some pictures of some Century 21 clients at Cerro Negro. This volcano is famous for setting the world mountain biking speed record and for "volcano boarding"