Located between the municipalities of Chinandega, Chichigalpa and Posoltega of the department of Chinandega, in the northern part of the Pacific region of Nicaragua; made up of five volcanic cones; among them the San Cristóbal volcano, the highest in the country. It is part of the Los Maribios mountain range and has a territorial extension of 17,629 hectares.

It was declared by Decree 13-20, published in the official newspaper La Gaceta No. 213 on September 8, 1983; with the aim of protecting and preventing further ecological deterioration in those significant natural areas of our geography, since it represents a recharge of the aquifer and supplies drinking water to the population of western Chinandega.

There are three types of natural ecosystems: tropical dry forest or deciduous forest, pine forest and savannas without woody cover (natural pastures). 64 species of trees are reported according to a sampling carried out during an investigation carried out by the ACU and 61 tree species grouped into 34 families in the Argelia farm, one of the largest private properties in the protected area and with a fairly conserved forest. Regarding the fauna, 23 of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, 79 species of butterflies are reported in the Casita volcano; as well as 41 species of birds among which 3 species stand out due to their isolation in volcanoes, these are: the dorsilist sabanero, charralero of the rocks and the cejiblanco charralero.

The volcanic complex offers several attractions and is made up of an eruptive center; San Cristóbal itself with its imposing profile and constant fumaroles, there are also the other peaks in particular the Chonco volcano and Casitas volcano, both at rest, which can be climbed and present on their slopes farms and facilities to visit in which it stands out the Casita Memorial Park that recalls the gigantic landslide that occurred in 1998 during Hurricane Mitch.

Activities

  • Trekking
  • Observation of flora and fauna
  • Mountain biking

visit him

  • Own vehicle: Take the road to León and continue until you reach an intersection between the municipalities of Quezalguaque and Posoltega, from then on you will find signs that will guide you to the Chonco, San Cristóbal and Casitas volcanoes.