Volcano Tours in Guatemala

Climb a volcano in Guatemala! Mayalandia offers adventure hiking tours on Guatemala's many volcanoes.

Guatemala's breathtaking beauty owes much to the 37 volcanoes standing like sentinels over the country's fertile farms, colonial towns and azure lakes. While most of these volcanoes are dormant, the Pacaya, Fuego and Santiaguito Volcanoes are active, providing a glimpse of nature's awesome, subterranean power.

The majority can be hike in a day or two, and during your hike you will be guide by professional local guide knowing the area who will share his knowledge about the history and culture of the region.

Here's a brief idea of what you can expect to find on some of the most popular summits:

Pacaya (2,550 m / 8,366 ft)

Pacaya is active volcano located just 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Guatemala City. A short hike brings visitors to the summit, where they can observe eruptions of ash and lava at close range. This is a dangerous volcano, best visited in the company of responsible guides.

Agua (3,766 m / 12,352 ft)

A climb up this volcano is recommended for spectacular views of Antigua Guatemala. Hiking time is about 5 hours from Santa Maria de Jesus, or 2 hours from the end of road that climbs partway to the top.

Fuego (3,763 m / 12,343 ft)

Constantly spewing small ash clouds, this monstrous volcano's last major eruption occurred in 1974. To hike up barren slope is grueling, and most visitors will be content to admire Fuego's beauty from the safety of Antigua's cobblestone streets.

Acatenango (3,976 m / 13,041 ft)

The third volcano that watches over Antigua Guatemala, Acatenango is Fuego's dormant twin. A hike to the top takes about 6 hours.

Atitlan (3,537 m / 11,601 ft)

The tallest of the three volcanoes dominating the lake, Atitlan's summit takes about 8 hours to reach; the reward is a breathtaking view of the world's most beautiful lake and Guatemala's Pacific coast.

San Pedro (3,020 m / 9,906 ft)

Perhaps the most frequently photographed of all Guatemala's volcanoes, San Pedro's beautiful cone seems to rise from the waters of Lake Atitlan. The hike to the top takes about 4 hour, and views are limited due heavy vegetation on the summit, the crater served now as refuge for rarely encountered species of plants and animals.

Toliman (3,158 m / 10,358 ft)

A small group of Horned Guans survives in the forest near the summit; about a four hour hike from San Lucas. Plan on camping out for a better chance of sighting the birds.

Santa Maria (3,772 m / 12,372 ft)

One's of Guatemala's most beautiful volcanoes, Santa Maria towers over the city of Quetzaltenango. The hike to the top takes about 4 hours. Camping on the summit is recommended, to witness a spectacular, nighttime lava show from Santiaguito Volcano below.

Santiaguito (2,500 m / 8,200 ft)

The most dangerous volcano in Central America, Santiaguito first erupted on Volcano Santa Maria's southern flank in 1922. It constantly spews spectacular ash clouds and lava, and may be safely observed from Santa Maria's summit.

Cerro Quemado (3,197 m / 10,486 ft)

A popular day hike from Xela, this volcano offers field of broken lava and team vents.

Zunil (3,542 m / 11,618 ft)

Horned Guans have been sighted in the protected forest on the slopes of this volcano. Further down the slope, Cabanis' (Azure-rumped) Tanagers (Tangara cabanisi) are frequently seen.

Chicabal (2,900 m / 9,512 ft)

Chicabal's summit and magical, carted lake can be reached in about two hours from San Martin Chile Verde, near Xela. The lake, a sacred spot for the Maya, is surrounded by forest, with family altars tucked among the trees.

Tacana (4,093 m / 13,425 ft)

Located on the Mexican border, Tacana provides a challenging hike to Mexican and Guatemala mountaineers alike. It's a tough climb - at least 10 hours to reach the summit.

Tajumulco (4,220 m / 13,842 ft)

This is the tallest volcano in Central America, but the hike to the top, which begins at a high altitude, is relatively easy. Good (but cold!) camping in pine glades near the summit.