Skip the pricey full-day volcano combos and just rent a private lancha at Puerto Asese for an hour. You will drift past tiny islands filled with noisy spider monkeys and decaying private mansions. It is humid and buggy, but the view of Mombacho Volcano from the water beats any hike. Go at 7am to dodge the intense midday sun and boat traffic. Two hours is enough to soak it all in without the travel burnout.
