Cerro Negro, one of the prominent volcanoes which are a particular Nicaragua claim to fame. “Black Hill”, about a half hour’s drive out of town, has another special claim to fame, because though it’s just 400 metres (1,312 feet) high, the gravelly volcanic sand on one side makes a great place to board down. Yes, several local outfitters (such as Leon’s Bigfoot Hostel, www.bigfootnicaragua.com, Va Pues Tours www.vapues.com and Tierra Tours www.tierratour.com; $28 or $30) will drive you out, get you up top (takes about an hour to hike up – steepish in spots but not too strenuous if you’re in decent shape), and get you back down on a wooden board (I find that sitting is a both faster and more easily controllable experience than standing, so ask before you book).

Read more in my post León, Nicaragua's Most Venerable City.

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