Pacaya Volcano

Pacaya Volcano (Spanish: Volcán de Pacaya) is in Central Highlands region of Guatemala. Pacaya is an active volcano that showed spectacular eruptions for several years. There is still some volcanic activity but there is no hot lava to be seen anymore.

Understand
The volcano is the star attraction of Parque Nacional Pacaya, one of the most popular Guatemala national parks. The volcano has an elevation of 2,552 meters (8,373 feet).

To check whether the volcano is active, see the daily report of the Guatemalan government.

History
Pacaya first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. After being dormant for a century, it erupted violently in 1965 and has been erupting continuously since then, sometimes showering the nearby city of Antigua Guatemala with ash.

Landscape
This is an active volcano where you can see plenty of lava that cooled to rocks. The ground is made up of loose volcanic rock and is quite unstable in parts.

Get in
The Pacaya National Park is about 90 minutes by car or bus from either Antigua or Guatemala City.

By far the easiest and sometimes cheapest option to visit the volcano is to go on a tour from Antigua or Guatemala City. Tours include transportation, the entrance fee, and the obligatory guide. Tours will pick you up from your hotel between 6am and 8am. Morning tours will have you back in Antigua or Guatemala City by 2pm. Some tour companies also offer a sunset tour, but bring a flashlight on those because you will be hiking down the volcano in the dark. Tours vary in price.

You could also do a vist on your own. There are local buses from Guatemala City. There are no direct local buses from Antigua. Once you reach the park, you will need to pay the park entrance fees and also hire a guide. Guides are mandatory and you can hire them at the park entrance for Q200. Most guides speak only Spanish.

Fees and permits
There is a park entrance fee of Q50 (for foreigners.) And you are required to book a guide which charges Q200 (Q400 for an extended tour.) There is a smaller entrance before you get to the main entrance where you might be able to decrease that amount somewhat. But it is probably much more economic to go on a tour from Antigua.

Get around
Walk and take a hiking stick. Hiking sticks are sold at the park entrance for Q100. The ground is rocky, and in sections it is unstable.

See
Molten rock, volcanic vents where you can roast marshmallows.

Do

 * Take photos.
 * Horseback ride: Horses are available for rent at the park entrance for Q200.
 * Hike: there are at least 2 trails to the top of the volcano, both about 3.5 km in length and of moderate difficulty. The terrain is rocky and has some steep sections with a total elevation gain of about 1500 feet. The main trail goes via San Francisco de Sales and passes through a forested area where a number of bird species can be spotted. Take the main trail up and return via the Cerro Chino trail for a more scenic route with alternate views via a circuit instead of just doing an out-and-back hike.

Buy
Hiking stick - it'll cost you less than US$1 and should be returned to the local children that sold it to you.

Eat
There are shops at the base of the trail.

Camping
You can camp here.

Go next

 * Guatemala City
 * Antigua
 * Chimaltenango