Guatemala is a hiker’s paradise with 37 volcanoes scattered across the country, including Fuego Volcano – one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and Tajumulco – the highest peak of Central America. I traveled to Guatemala to reach every possible volcano summit and here is my guide to some of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala, as there are plenty of things to know and preparations to be done ahead of these tours.
What are the best hikes in Guatemala?
I booked my trip to Guatemala because I knew I wanted to hike the highest peak of Central America – Tajumulco Volcano. But I didn’t realize how amazing the erupting Fuego Volcano and the Acatenango Volcano hike are. These two I would consider the best hikes in Guatemala.
The most popular Guatemala Volcano hikes are Volcan Acatenango and Volcan Pacaya. Surprisingly, the most challenging is the 2-day Acatenango Volcano hike, which is not the highest volcano in Guatemala but is most popular for witnessing the incredible Volcan el Fuego eruptions.
1. Volcan Acatenango hike in Guatemala.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging
HIKING DURATION: Approximately 2 days
STARTING POINT: 2.500 meters.
ALTITUDE: Acatenango stands at approximately 3,976 meters (13,044 feet).
Acatenango is one of the most famous hikes in Guatemala. This two-day trek offers breathtaking views of the nearby Fuego Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, erupting every 15 minutes.
STARTING POINT: The hike begins in the picturesque town of Antigua – the minivan will pick you up from your hotel and drive approximately. 1 hour toward the starting point for the Acatenango Volcano hike.
THE ROUTE: The route toward Acatenango Volcano leads through one of the most spectacular natural landscapes I’ve seen. It winds its way through coffee plantations and beautiful cloud forests. After 5-6 hours of tough hiking, you will reach Acatenango Base Camp, where you can observe stunning views of erupting Fuego while the sun sets.
RECOMMENDATION: I would advise taking a 2-day overnight Volcano Acatenango tour.
VOLCAN EL FUEGO TREK: If you decide to trek toward the Fuego volcano to get close views of lava eruptions, you will need to hike another 2 hours/one way. It’s a steep hike, but it will be a memorable view!
Volcan Acatenango Tour.
The next day you will wake up as early as 3.45am to hike to the summit of Acatenango Volcano. The summit at 3,976 meters will greet you with panoramic views of the surrounding region and an unforgettable sunrise experience.
Choosing the right tour operator and preparation is key since this is a challenging route! Check out my full guide on the Acatenango Volcano Hike.
Acatenago is the toughest mountain but it’s extremely popular for a combined hike to Fuego active volcano – which can be a lifetime experience! Solid and popular tours on Tripadvisor are:
Best places to stay in Antigua.
Antigua is a beautiful colonial, travel-friendly city. I highly advise staying there for at least 3 nights to explore the local traditions, food and craft shops -there’s no chance you’ll get bored.
Approaching all the best hikes in Guatemala (I hiked 4 volcanoes), I was constantly in and out Antigua and tried different places to stay:
One of the nicest places I’ve stayed are Selina Antigua and Casa Ela. Casa Ela is a lovely family home with very good facilities and an irreplaceable volcano view from a terrace, where you can have your breakfast.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY:
- Casa ELA – My favorite, I stayed for 3 nights. Lovely family house with an incredible Fuego Volcano view.
- Posada Maya – it’s a tiny, private place but very clean. Nice terrace though.
- Selina Antigua – great travelers hub, many tour options available to book at the reception. I stayed in a door (mixed 14) but the rooms are extremely spacious and there’s a huge well-equiped kitchen.
- Posada Dona Luisa
- Adra Hostel Boutique – with lots of in-house facilities.
COMFORT:
- 4* All Suite El Marques de Antigua
- Amazing 5* Boutique Villa in Antigua for only $100/per night
- Yellow House Hostel B&B
- Casa Los Habitantes Antigua Guatemala
2. Volcan Pacaya hike.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy to Moderate.
HIKING DURATION: Half-day to full day.
Pacaya volcano is located about an hour from Guatemala City and is one of the most accessible and frequently climbed – thus, this attraction is highly overbooked and overrated (since the volcano is not active anymore). I was very disappointed with the organization’s side.
The first thing you need to know is that Pacaya stopped being active in 2021! That means there is no active lava at the moment in 2025. Pacaya goes active every 3-4 years on average.
Day hikes to Pacaya Volcano.
It would be very useful to know there is no chance to see active lava before booking the tour but they would not tell you that. 😉 Perhaps I would still decide to hike for the experience, but knowing all the scams along the way, that’s not responsible traveling..
Expect a moderately challenging trail leading to the summit. The guide will rush the group, forcing people to go horseback riding to the top of Pacaya. More than 10 horses were walking along our group, led by local riders, awaiting people to hire a horse. The group was squeezed by the horses to the point that it felt uncomfortable on the narrow sections.
Marshmallows roasting at Pacaya Volcano.
Pacaya used to be the chance to see real lava flow and volcanic activity up close, but you can still roast marshmallows over hot volcanic rocks. To be honest, that was the greatest fun of the tour! 😉 The hike generally takes around five hours round trip and it’s mostly walking along smoking lava fields.
3. Volcán Tajumulco hike - the highest peak of Central America (4222m).
Tajumulco means “above the clouds” in the local language. This is not a popular hike, given the distance from Antigua and the fact that you need to carry all your equipment to the summit.
But for me, reaching the highest peak of Central America was a priority and it’s one of the best hikes in Guatemala, uncrowded, leading through stunning remote parts of the countryside.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Challenging (mainly due to an altitude over 4200 meters above sea level).
HIKING DURATION: Approximately 2 days.
At 4,220 meters, Tajumulco is the highest peak in Central America. This hike is for the truly adventurous hikers seeking a multi-day experience. The trail leads through diverse landscapes and culminates in breathtaking views that stretch for miles across the valleys and the volcano peak.
You will camp in the forest, at the foot of Volcan Tajumulco, one hour ahead of the trail, to hit the rocky terrain for the morning hike.
The hike costs between $100-$125 /per person/ and you need a minimum of 2 people.
Permits and fees required for the hike are included within the tour price. I was hiking alone, only with my tour guide. The backpack is extremely heavy and that’s the worst part of the tour 😉 But you need to bring a tent, plastic covers for rain protection, food and plenty of water, as there is nothing available on the way up. Tajumulco Volcano is a great hike and it’s a chance to witness incredible volcanic landscapes.
I suggest starting volcano hikes as early as possible, clouds tend to roll in around 10 am.
I hiked Tajumulco in November and had unbelievably good, sunny weather. There was no wind at the top, which is very unusual.
Many hikers said the October ascent was extremely wet.
4. Santa Maria Volcano.
Hiking Santa Maria Volcano is a great experience, it starts from Quetzaltenango (locally nicknamed Xela), which is also the starting point for hiking Tajumulco Volcano. It may be one of the most challenging hikes in Guatemala.
Try to arrive to Xela a few days in advance to let your body acclimatize properly ahead of volcano hiking. Xela is located at the level of 2300 meters.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging.
HIKING DURATION: Approximately 6-7 hours.
ELEVATION: 3,772-metre Volcan Santa Maria.
The trail is well-marked and sometimes steep, leading to a breathtaking view of the Santiaguito lava dome. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of volcanic eruptions. The total hike usually lasts around 6 hours, making it an enjoyable challenge for those who are physically prepared and are seeking a day-long adventure.
5. Finca el Pilar Antigua Mountain Trail.
Finca el Pilar is a hiking area located within only 1 hour walking from Antigua. Since I love exploring on foot, I found Finca el Pilar on Google Maps and decided to give it a try. How surprising was to discover Finca is probably one of the nicest hikes in Guatemala for a half-day tour.
Finca el Pilar is located southeast of Antigua. You can also get there with a local bus that will cost you less than half a dollar.
There is a well-marked path from the main road leading toward the park gate. There are swimming pools at the entrance, where you’ll probably meet some locals.
ENTRY FEE: 100 Guatemalan quetzals ~ 12 US dollars.
OPENING HOURS: Mon-Friday 7.00 – 16.00, Sat – Sunday: 7.00 – 17.00
The short 5-kilometer loop is fabulous and takes you to the viewing platform. All the trails are well-marked, and there are few long stair sections. Both hikes lead through an amazing rainforest. I was amazed by the place, as there are no maps and almost no information about this amazing Antigua Mountain Trail.
El mirador jungle trek.
The shorter jungle trail leads you to a beautiful mirador – the viewing platform (it’s approximately 1 hour hike).
The place is easily accessible by Uber, car or a local bus. There is a huge car park at the entrance. This is a protected area and it is safe for visitors.
Other stunning hiking trails in Guatemala:
Here are a few popular natural treks outside of volcano hikes in Guatemala:
- LAKE ATITLAN – The Heart of Guatemala- offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Since the trails connect villages, you can combine hiking with the experience of local culture.
- SEMUC CHAMPEY – Nature’s Paradise. This natural wonder features a series of stunning turquoise pools formed by the Cahabón River.
- TIKAL NATIONAL PARK – the ancient Mayan capital. The Tikal Central Loop is only 5 kilometers long.
You may also check:
How to get from Guatemala airport to Antigua – local transportation guide.
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