Death-Defying Attractions for the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush

2. Volcano Boarding in Cerro Negro, Nicaragua

Snowboarding and sandboarding are fun, but they don’t come close to the insanity of hurtling down the slopes of an active volcano at breakneck speeds. Welcome to Cerro Negro, Nicaragua, where adrenaline junkies swap snow for razor-sharp volcanic ash, strapping themselves onto a wooden board to surf down a pitch-black mountain of lava rock. At 2,388 feet, Cerro Negro is one of the youngest volcanoes in Central America, and it remains active, periodically belching smoke and heat from its crater. Unlike traditional snowboarding, where the powder cushions falls, Cerro Negro’s surface consists of loose, jagged volcanic rock. If you wipe out—especially at speeds of up to 50 mph—you’ll find yourself skidding over a surface that shreds skin like sandpaper. Protective jumpsuits and goggles are mandatory, but even with gear, wiping out can leave you with some brutal scrapes and burns. The climb to the top is an adventure in itself, requiring hikers to carry their board through shifting, ashy terrain under the relentless Nicaraguan sun. But the reward? A high-speed, once-in-a-lifetime thrill that leaves your heart pounding and your hands shaking at the bottom. Thrill Factor: A full-throttle descent down an active volcano, where wiping out means volcanic rock burns.