Volcan Cosigüina Voyage Tips and guide

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Volcan Cosigüina is a large dormant stratovolcano in the Northern Pacific Coast region of Nicaragua. It can be climbed in a single day, offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the countryside in three countriesː Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras.

The volcano is a national park (actually designated as Reserva Natural Nacional).

The volcano's most recent eruption was in 1859, but it's much more famous for an eruption in 1835 that was the world's third largest volcanic eruption, spewing ash and hurling rocks as far north as Mexico and as far south as Colombia.

The volcano has been dormant for over 150 years so vegetation has taken over the slopes wherever vegetation can keep a foothold. Much of the hike to the top will be under the cooling protective cover of the forest canopy. The volcano has a height of 872 meters above sea level. The crater has a green lake in it that is filled from rainfall.

It's always hot and humid at Cosigüina, except at night, when it's dark, hot and humid. Light clothing is best, but you'll want sturdy boots, moisture absorbing socks, and a hat to keep the fierce sun off you.

You can drive to Potosi from Chinandega or Managua.

There is also a Chicken bus that goes to Potosi from Chinandega and a bus from Leon. In Leon's El Mercadito bus station, look for the bus with "Potosi" at the top of the windshield. It's a direct bus, but with lots of stops to let more chickens (and people) get onː plan on 5 to 6 hours to reach Potosi.

You can either hike up the mountain, or drive to the parking lot near the top, from the parking lot is only a 1 km hike to reach the summit.

From La Unión in El Salvador, there is a ferry that crosses directly to Potosi. The trip across the bay takes at least 2 hours and costs US$65.

Hike or drive the paved park road to the summit (large parking lot available there).

• Hikeː The trail starts in the town of Potosi. It's just under 9 km each way (17.7 km out and back). The hike is fairly gently and is an easy trek with the only real steep section being the last kilometer as you approach the summit. There is also a rim trail that circles the caldera, it is a 1.5 km hike and has one crumbling section that may be too dangerous to walk across. There is no marked trail from the rim to the bottom of the caldera, but visitors can descend into the crater if they have ropes and are fit enough to pull themselves back up. You can find GPS routes on the Maps.Me app, or you can hire a local guide for about US$30 (recommended because the guides have local knowledge, so you'll get more out of the experience, plus they will worry about safety issues, take care of paying the park entry fee, etc.

• 13.007081-87.5053151 Potosi Chinandega, Potosi, Chinandega, ☏ +505 8465 8859. Daily 11ː00 - 20ː30. Outdoor palapa style restaurant serving off-the-boat fresh seafood and regional nica cuisine. US$10. (updated Feb 2025)

• 13.005464-87.503852 Hostal Y Restaurante Brisas Del Golfo, Potosi, Chinandega, ☏ +505 8465 8859. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Typical rural Central American lodging with rustic, basic furnishings, friendly hosts, delicious coffee and breakfast, and a veritable zoo of dogs, cats, ducks and chickens to follow you around. US$20. (updated Feb 2025)

• 13.009256-87.5047573 Hotel Amanecer Fonseca, Potosi, Chinandega, ☏ +505 7684 7580. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Basic rooms (some available with air conditioning). Outdoor swimming pool available. Palapa-style bar and restaurant serves an excellent nica breakfast. US$25. (updated Feb 2025)

Backcountry camping is allowed. There is an idyllic campsite with sweeping vistas of the island dotted Gulf of Fonseca. The campsite has a rustic toilet, but not much else, so bring anything you will need.

• La Unión (in El Salvador)
• Chinandega