Volcano boarding in Nicaragua

By M.H. Brandt
This item appears on page 51 of the June 2017 issue.

Cerro Negro, an active volcano outside of León, Nicaragua, is one of the only places in the world where an adventure-junkie can volcano board on a wooden sled at speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour.

My wife and I set up our September 2016 Nicaragua trip, ourselves. First we went to Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica, for a half-marathon and zip-line tours. Then we took a bus to Granada, where we stayed with friends.

I’m a global adventure junkie and look for things to do that I can add to my “bucket list” while visiting other countries.

The company I went volcano boarding with (privately, not with a group) was Pachamama Travel & Adventures (La Clazada St., Granada, Nicaragua; phone +505 8899 8053, pachamamatravelnic.com), located 2½ blocks east of the Granada Cathedral. The person I dealt with there, to whom my friend had referred me, was Alejandro Arana (arana@pachamamatravelnic.com).

With transport from León, the volcano boarding cost $75. A private taxi from Granada to León and back added $130.

The photo shows me, at age 75, sledding aimlessly downhill. It was a blast!

M.H. BRANDT El Dorado Hills, CA