Volcano Boarding on Cerro Negro

Careening down the black sands of Cerro Negro volcanic skree on a modified snowboard is León [1]’s most exciting outdoor adrenaline rush and with reason: the slope is a full 40° in places, and the ride is fast and hot.

Stand-up boards get bogged down, but sitting down, you can build up some serious speed (Bigfoot has clocked clients at over 80 kph).

Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and long sleeves.

Plan on a 60-minute climb and a 45-second descent in a hot, rugged landscape. Half-day trips run about $28 per person.

The Bigfoot Hostel [2] runs daily trips which include an orange jumpsuit, goggles, gloves, and pads. Vapues Tours and Tierra Tours [3] also make daily trips to Cerro Negro with experienced guides, and can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

At the entrance to Cerro Negro you will find a small information center, a ranchón, some bathrooms, and a friendly and informative local tourism cooperative called Las Pilas–El Hoyo. The $5 entrance fee goes to support conservation efforts and pays a portion of the members’ salaries.

Cooperative guides can take you on other hikes in the area, including the two taller volcanoes—El Hoyo and El Pilas—a nearby swimming hole, and a larger reservoir with some of the best views in the country.