Volcán Momotombo is the most challenging Pacific volcano to climb, and it is one of Nicaragua’s more active volcanic peaks. While the small town of El Cardón, on the other side of Volcán Momotombo is closer, the town itself is difficult to get to from the highway.

Momotombo’s little sibling, the island of Momotombito was once a pre-Columbian religious sanctuary, when the islet was called Cocobolo. Today, it is an uninhabited natural reserve of tropical dry forest.

First, head to the town of Puerto Momotombo, where for the right price, many fishermen would be eager to transport you the 25 kilometers along the north shore of Lake Managua to the island. Bring water and supplies to last two days in order to camp on the island, and don’t pay your boatman until he returns to take you off the island.

The island reportedly contains petroglyphs and the faintest remnants of the previous civilization who would be horrified to see what has become of their precious lake.