It’s scary…really, actually quite scary. Every year thousands of people flock to Léon, Nicaragua to experience sliding down the side of a volcano at an unreasonable speed on a piece of wood. Sounds legit doesn’t it? Let me tell you what it’s really like.
Cerro Negro is one of the youngest volcanoes in Central America and also the most active, having erupted 23 times since 1850, in fact, as recently as 1999. At some point someone thought it would be a fantastic idea to turn this scree covered volcano into a ‘snowboarding’ fun spot…he also was Australian, go figure. In order to reach top speeds he slid down this volcano on everything he could find, right down to a fridge door. Now tourists cruise down this exact volcano seated on simple wood planks, hoping for the best…this was my experience.
We were picked up early in the morning from Bigfoot Hostel where I and about 30 others piled into the back of an open-air flatbed truck. We exited the city and bounced along dusty roads passing only the occasional farmer and his cow. The trip to the base of the volcano is anything but relaxing. You need to hold on tight to everything and everyone around you. When we finally arrived at the volcano base, we hopped out of the truck, paid our entrance fees and received a backpack full of goggles, jump suits and finally our vehicle for the day…a big wooden plank with a metal bottom.
The walk up to the top of the volcano is not as bad as it seems. The Nicaraguan sun can be a little harsh at times, I mean, shade is not something often associated with a scree covered volcano. The path to the top however is well worn, making it pretty easy to climb. Carrying all of our gear including our boards, we trekked up the volcano taking a decent break every few minutes snapping photos along the way. Once we arrived at the summit, we were able to drop our things and absorb a very enjoyable view of the stunning landscape provided by the Cordillera de los Maribois. The black volcano contrasts with the lush green of the jungle in such a special way. After a brief moment enjoying the beauty of our surroundings, we looked down. It is STEEP…not just a little steep, but actually steep.
We had to wait our turn, watching other groups of people one by one disappear down the mountain. This volcano is literally steep enough so that you can barely see the rider after they push off from the top. With the far away trucks waiting to pick us up at the bottom, we began to suit up in our jump suits and goggles. The whole group of us shaking with nerves and fighting over who goes first.
The guides explained how it would work. Hold on to the rope, the more you sit up, the slower you will go, when you lean back, you will go faster. Oh yeah, they reminded us often to keep our feet flat on the ground. I elected to go second. Truth be told, I wanted to watch one person do it and then go before I watched others crash and get myself scared.


When it was our group’s turn to go, we lined up in order and before I knew it our first person was flying down the side of the volcano. I was next. I sat down on top of my wooden sled, doing my best to keep from sliding down the volcano before I was ready. I kept going through the rules in my head…’sit up, feet flat, sit up, feet flat’ and finally, I closed my eyes and was off. Let’s be serious here though, I opened my eyes immediately…no one wants to do this blind.
I was off, my speed was increasing rapidly and dust and bits of scree were flying everywhere. I tried to sit up to control my speed, but that didn’t seem to be working. I tried my best to keep my feet flat and my bum centered on the board to prevent a very possible accident from happening. I held on tight and finally I could see the bottom. Slowing down due to the volcano flattening out is the only way to stop outside of crashing horribly. I was almost there, it seemed like I had not taken a breath in forever…because I hadn’t. At the bottom of the volcano however, there are waves in the scree like natural road bumps. Imagine hitting large speed bumps while driving fast in a car without shocks, my board bounced as did I. Fortunately for me, I landed back on my board repetitively. This however, was not the case for everyone. Finally I started to slow down, eventually coming to a controlled stop. I made it without crashing!
After I took my first breath in what seemed like forever, I looked down. Even though I was wearing mountaineering boots and a full jump suit, my legs and hands were bleeding and my smile was black because of all the bits of rock that somehow managed to find their way into my teeth. This did not matter though, all that mattered is that somehow I was still alive and able to relax, plan for my next chill destination, Granada, and watch the fate of my fellow volcano boarders.
One by one I watched group members take their turn conquering the face of the mighty Cerro Negro. Watching them slide down on their boards, occasionally screaming and leaving trails of dust behind them was almost as entertaining as sliding down the volcano itself. Not everyone made it though.
Watching safely from the bottom of the volcano I saw one of the girls in our group fall off her board half way up the volcano and proceed to tumble from her head to her legs to her bum to her head cartwheeling down the volcano uncontrollably. How would you stop yourself anyways if you were cruising down hill at 50km/h? You don’t. Luckily, she was alright but still faced with the daunting task of scrambling back up the volcano to retrieve her board. Then she had to continue her journey down from that point, a harsh reality of the sport. When she arrived she was bleeding from every part of her body…not a cute look. Shortly after, I watched another from our group fall of his board and almost log roll down the volcano. When he arrived he was covered in just as much blood as the last.
At the end of the day however, the majority of the group made it down the volcano unscathed save for a little bit of blood from just a few cuts and scratches. When the group had collected at the bottom of the volcano, congratulations for survival were in order. Luckily for us when we hopped into the back of our truck for the ride home, our tour leaders provided us with celebratory beers and cookies to share. Overall, volcano boarding in Nicaragua was a fabulous experience from the adrenaline rush to the humorous camaraderie on the ride back. If you are looking for a bit of epic excitement…its perfect!


Kay Dougherty says
This is nothing I will be doing but it sure was fascinating to read about!
Katie says
Ah what a lovely reminder of this adventure! I did it about a year and a half ago and had a very similar experience! Made it down safely, though covered in black dust and with a few scrapes here and there! Watching others come down scared me more than actually doing it–seeing some people tumble off their boards was scary!
Dave says
I loved the adrenalin rush of this, such an incredible experience. However I managed to catch my ankle halfway down and almost suffered a broken leg! Hobbling around Nicaragua for a few weeks isn’t a good look!
Anda says
Is so happen that the last post I read fell into the ‘crazy-things-to-do’ category, so when I came across this one I was thinking to myself: I am really so old? Why don’t I get a kick out of any of these crazy things? OK, back to your post. From what you are describing you had a lot of fun and I guess that justifies it.
Paula McInerney says
Wow!. What an amazing experience to go volcano boarding in Nicaragua. Would I do it? Maybe just yes. Would I be scared? Most definitely but you have painted an amazing picture of this epic experience.
Aileen Adalid says
I have seen a lot of people trying out this activity in Nicaragua and for sure, when I drop by that part of the world… I’ll definitely be trying it! It looks so much fun!
Zascha says
I’m dying to try this myself one day, but I’m scared I would end up like the girl you mentioned. That must have hurt!
Fiona @ London-Unattached says
OK so that looks totally nuts! I think I’d be the one who didn’t start though!
Brianne Miers says
This is so awesome, Kim! It looks like a blast. I’ve never heard of it, but I will add it to my Central America bucket list. I recently did something similar in Ica, Peru – sledding down the sands dunes there (Although I think there was less blood involved :-)).
Mar says
haha well, I would have been as scared and frightened as you were and I would have probably not done it! good on you for the bravery!
Laura says
There’s absolutely no way you could get me to do that. I would stand in no ones way who wanted to do it, but I just don’t get that kind of risk taking myself. I’m not sure I would enjoy the ride anyway. It sounds really scary to fall off the board and catapult down that steep mountain without it.
Karyn Jane says
I am a complete and utter fraidy cat…but you made me want to do this. :D
Vanessa says
I have to admit, I’m not a fan of any travel activity that leaves me bleeding but I bet this would be entertaining as heck to watch and a lot of fun if you were more adventurous than me (which is just about everyone).
melody pittman says
This looks like so much fun! I wonder who on earth thought up this adventure! Clever.
Rachel says
This is so interesting! I don’t think I would do it… risk of serious injury… but cool to know about!
Amber says
This seems like so much fun! I’ve been toying with the idea of heading to Nicaragua. If I do this will be added to the list!
Valerie says
Wow! This adventure sounds awesome…and also terrifying. I’d probably give a try. What an experience!
Tracie Howe says
Eek! I was very close to planning a trip to Nicaragua last year and I had wanted to do this. I figured it should be safe enough if so many people did it, but this sounds pretty terrifying! I would probably end up like that poor cartwheeling girl! Good for you for braving the ride and staying on your board!
Trisha Velarmino says
Oh wow, I totally missed this in Nicaragua!!!
Elizabeth @ Compass & Fork says
Okay, it sounded great at first, then we got to the rocks, the black dust everywhere and the possibility of wiping out and bleeding. I think I will stick to the traditional snow sledding- it avoids all of these pitfalls. But it does look fun! Good onya!
Cai Dominguez says
I remember doing the same thing here in the Philippines and I failed on my first attempt just like what happened to that girl. Regardless, I still give it a second try :)
Sreeram says
I am off to Nicaragua in a couple of months and this is something i am eagerly looking forward to now. Sounds like a real adventure. “Hold on to the rope, the more you sit up, the slower you will go, when you lean back, you will go faster” literally made me feel the chill. Awesome experience though. Congrats!!
Kimberly Erin says
You are going to love it!!!!!! let me know how it goes I would love to hear your experience! (but actually)
Janna says
Wow what a unique and awesome experience! I’ve never heard of this until now. Is this only in Nicaragua?
Kimberly Erin says
I am sure they have this in other areas around the world..but I am pretty sure Cerro Negra in Nicaragua is the most famous
Jessica says
Volcano always gives me a thrilling feeling so how much more to slide down on it? Nevertheless, it’s perfect to boost my adrenaline junkie soul. ;)
Kimberly Erin says
you will love it then if your an adrenaline junkie like me :)
Vedante | The Lavish Nomad says
Exactly the type of stuff I would do! Looks like you had great fun.. Definitely going to do this one day :D
Marta Cunha Grilo says
The adrenaline! I would be so scared but also excited to try it.
evan kristine says
Super cool! I know few people who has done this in Nicaragua as well and seems like they had as much fun as you did :)
Gemma says
Perfect timing, we are doing this on Sunday! I’ll be the girl that falls. Looking forward to looking all ‘Misfits’ in that orange jumpsuit and I’ll be a pro with your tips.
Dante says
Nice Post
Joe Ankenbauer says
So
Awesome! I read something about this around Christmas 2015 and decided I needed to make the trip to go see/do it! Thanks for the post, I’ll be bookmarking it for future use!
Lauren says
Wow, what a rush! I think i might be a bit scared to try this – being covered in blood doesn’t sound like much fun, haha! I wouldn’t want to lose any teeth either. But you must feel so accomplished that you did it! I know I would if I was you! :)