In Nicaragua, a red glow is visible following a landslide in the crater of the Masaya volcano
At Masaya Volcano National Park in Nicaragua, visitors can drive right up to the rim of the active Santiago crater and see its red glow after dark. According to The Rio Times, there is currently no open lava lake in the crater: it was buried by a massive landslide in March 2024.
According to the publication, since the landslide, a glow has been observed emanating from the volcanic vent within the crater, rather than the wide, open surface of molten lava visible in older photos and videos. The appearance of the crater and access conditions may vary depending on volcanic activity and gas concentrations.
The park is located at the 23rd kilometer mark of the Managua–Masaya highway, approximately 23 km from the Nicaraguan capital. The drive from Managua takes about 30–40 minutes, and from Granada, 30–45 minutes. A paved road about 5 km long leads from the entrance gate to the parking lot near the crater.
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The Rio Times notes that the daytime session at the park usually lasts from around 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., while the evening session runs from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In the evening, visitors can see the crater glow. The publication estimates the cost of a daytime admission at approximately 150 Nicaraguan córdobas, while a nighttime visit costs about $10 for foreigners and $5 for Nicaraguan citizens.
Time spent near the crater is limited to approximately 30–60 minutes due to volcanic gases and safety requirements. Visitors are prohibited from descending into the crater or walking on the volcanic cones. Drivers are advised to park their cars facing the exit: this allows them to leave the site more quickly if conditions deteriorate.
