Pacaya volcano

Pacaya volcano - The best day hike to an active volcano in Guatemala

Pacaya volcano is located just south of Guatemala city, around a 1.5 hour drive from Antigua. From the park entrance we hike around 1.5 hours to get to an old crater rim and the first unobstructed view of the Mackenney cone, the currently active part of the Pacaya volcanic complex. During the hike up local guide Fausto explains some of the flora and fauna found on the volcano and his experience of previous eruptions at numerous, well-spaced rest stops.

From the old crater rim we walk down on to the more recent lava flows, stopping on the way to talk about many textbook examples of geological phenomenon associated with Pacaya volcano.

Please note: There are currently no active lava flows at Pacaya volcano. The last active flows were in 2021 but there are still some safely accessible areas with heat coming up out of the ground. When there are active lava flows I assess the location of the flows on a tour-by-tour basis and only get close to the flowing lava when safe to do so. There are also certain areas on the volcano that I deem unsafe to visit, even though tourists can often be seen at these locations, and I will not take my customers to these areas.

I first climbed Pacaya in 2006 and since then the volcano has dramatically changed shape through various phases of growth and collapse. I have "before" and "after" labelled photographs to fully appreciate how this active volcano is constantly changing.

After roasting marshmallows on the lava flows/warm spots we hike back up the old crater rim where we can hopefully see some small explosions happening within the active crater of the Mackenney cone and, on the afternoon tour, a beautiful sunset down on the coastal plain.

Please note, during wet season (June - November) it is generally best to do the morning trip. There's a better chance of getting a view before the clouds come in and less likely to get rained on...

Itinerary - morning trip

Leave Antigua - 07:15

Arrive Pacaya park entrance ~ 08:45

Get to most recently active part of Pacaya ~ 10:45

Roast marshmallows and talk geology ~ 12:00

Arrive back at park entrance ~ 13:00

Arrive in Antigua ~ 14:15

Itinerary - afternoon trip

Leave Antigua - 13:30

Arrive at Pacaya park entrance ~14:45

Get to most recently active part of Pacaya ~ 16:45

Roast marshmallows and talk geology ~ 18:00

Arrive back at park entrance ~ 19:00

Arrive in Antigua ~ 20:15

Pricing structure

1 or 2 people: Q2200 per trip

3 people: Q2400 (Q800 per person)

4 people: Q2800 (Q700 per person)

5 people: Q3250 (Q650 per person)

For larger groups please ask for a quote

What's included

All transport

Geology class

Park entrance

Local guide

Marshmallows for roasting on lava

What to bring

Good shoes

Warm clothes

Water and snacks

Head-torch/flashlight for afternoon hike

Sunscreen and bug-spray

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