Conquer Pacaya Volcano: Tips for Inexperienced Hikers
We are not hikers, but we hiked Pacaya Volcano anyway. With its accessible trails and breathtaking scenery, we believe this natural wonder serves as the perfect playground for inexperienced hikers like ourselves. If you’re seeking to test your limits and forge unforgettable memories, here's everything you need to know to overcome your fears, including exactly how we did it.
Everything You Need to Know
While the prospect of hiking an active volcano may seem daunting at first, proper planning and preparation can go a long way in allaying fears and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Here's a breakdown of our experience to help you determine whether this is right for you.
Where is Pacaya Volcano located?
Pacaya Volcano is approximately 23 miles/36 km from Antigua, or 31 miles/50 km from Guatemala City.
Why is Pacaya Volcano special?
Pacaya Volcano lava flows from February 2020, captured by Alisa Naismith
Pacaya is one of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes, but the only one that can be climbed. It is a volcanic massif, which is a volcano that has been formed by various eruptions. According to the Smithsonian Institution, during the past several decades, there have been frequent eruptions with intermittent lava flows that have partially filled in the caldera moat and covered the flanks of Mackenney cone, with the occasional larger explosive eruption partially destroying the summit.
A mural featuring volcanoes and maize
Pacaya Volcano also holds deep cultural significance in Guatemala, woven into the fabric of local traditions and folklore. In ancient Mayan mythology, volcanoes were often seen as sacred entities, representing the power of the gods to both destroy and nourish. Indigenous communities living near Pacaya perform rituals and ceremonies to honor the volcano which often involve offerings of food, flowers, and incense. The fertile soils surrounding Pacaya Volcano have also long supported agricultural communities. Farmers have traditionally relied on volcanic ash and nutrients deposited by eruptions to cultivate crops such as avocado and corn, which you can see on your hike.
Can you hike to the peak of Pacaya Volcano?
Standing on former lava flows at Cerro Chino
No, Pacaya is an active volcano, so access to the peak is restricted. Pacaya is 8,372 feet or 2,552 meters above sea level. There are two trails, but both terminate at Cerro Chino, 7,431 feet or 2,265 meters above sea level. Cerro Chino is an inactive formation that does not expel lava, where you can walk on former lava flows.
How much time do I need?
From Antigua
Our total excursion from Antigua took approximately 5 hours, from the time we left to the time we were dropped back off at our departure point. However, we chose a private tour, and a shared tour may take slightly longer. Most group tours advertise 6 hours, but I would allow a little additional time to account for traffic and delays.
From Guatemala City
Guatemala City is slightly farther away than Antigua, but the complete excursion can similarly be completed in 6-7 hours.
How long is the actual hike?
Enjoying our time at the Cerro Chino plateau
We took 2.5 hours from start to finish, but that included approximately 30 minutes at the final destination for exploring and taking photos.
Is it safe to hike?
Yes. You are required to have a guide to hike Pacaya Volcano. If hiking in a group, one guide is required for every 10 people. The trails are clearly marked, and the guides are knowledgeable on all potential dangers.
How difficult is it?
One of the many rest stops along the path
We have no experience hiking, but we do a lot of city walking. Our fitness level is average, at best. Some parts of the trail are very steep, particularly in the beginning. When you arrive, there are young gentlemen offering walking sticks for rent for 10Q or less than $2. If you're concerned about the incline, the sticks may help.
It may also take you some time to acclimate to the elevation, but there are many rest stops along the way where you can catch your breath while you take in the surroundings.
What should I wear to hike Pacaya Volcano?
A stony terraced path along the way
Proper shoes are essential. The terrain isn't consistent, varying from a rough, cement stone path at the beginning, to dirt paths, to wood and earth steps, to sandy volcanic ash towards the top. Also, there is a lot of horse manure on the trail! Hiking shoes are best, especially if you're visiting during the rainy season since it does get muddy. We didn't have any rain and were able to do it in regular athletic shoes.
We also made sure to wear breathable clothes, knowing we would sweat on the climb. We wore long pants, as did our guide. Layering is always wise, so you can adjust to the temperature as needed. Most of the path was shaded, but it's important to remember that even if it appears overcast, the sun is extremely strong at that elevation. Justin had a hooded sweatshirt to protect him from direct sun since he burns easily. Consider wearing a hat and sunglasses, and apply generous amounts of sunscreen. We both also had rain jackets with us, just in case.
Also, bring water and insect repellent!
What if I don't want to hike? Are there any alternatives?
Riding a horse to the top is also an option
Yes! You can ride a horse all the way to the top for a fee of 300Q or $40 per person, on top of the entrance fee.
Even if you don't hire a horse, don't be surprised to find a couple of horse handlers trailing behind you when you first start out. They'll call out “Taxi?” (or in some cases, “Ambulancia?”), hoping to weaken your resolve, catch you in a moment of vulnerability, and sell you their services. After 15-20 minutes, when it's clear you won't be partaking, they'll turn around and leave you to continue on foot.
Fun fact! The horses are actually a mixed breed of horse and mule, and are also used by the locals, often to carry their harvests.
ATV Tours are also available!
Shared (Group) vs. Private Pacaya Volcano Tour
There are multiple operators offering tours to Pacaya Volcano from the surrounding areas. When deciding which tours to use, consider group size, what language your guide speaks, and what time of day you'd like to go. We decided to splurge on a private tour, and here's why.
Go at your own pace
As non-hikers, we had reservations about how difficult the hike would be. We wanted the flexibility to go at our own pace, and didn't want to worry about slowing a group down. That being said, we should be clear that no one gets left behind on a shared tour. If there is more than one guide, they usually bookend the group.
Of course, on the flip side of that coin, if you're an experienced hiker, a group tour might take longer since you have to accommodate the pace of the entire group.
An expert bilingual guide
Our guide Carlos showing us the way
We don't speak Spanish. We know enough Spanish to order food at a restaurant, but not enough to fully appreciate a Spanish-speaking guide. A private tour ensures you can request a bilingual guide. Our guide, Carlos, spoke fluent English, and we were able to comfortably converse all the way to the top. Okay, so our side of the conversation might have been a little breathy at times. But overall, it made for a much more enjoyable experience and helped distract us from the physical exertion.
Carlos being greeted by friendly dogs
Carlos wasn't just local, he grew up in San Vicente, the town in the valley below the Pacaya Volcano. He had 18 years of experience and knew the terrain intimately. He educated us on the flora and fauna we came across (including the Pacaya plant the volcano is named after!), brought us to great view points, and regaled us with stories about the different volcanic eruptions throughout the years. Carlos was so familiar with the landscape that he could point out exactly which year's eruption a particular lava flow originated from, just by its color and position in relation to the peak.
Dogs!
Friendly pooches accompanying us on our hike
This may be more of a Carlos vs. private tour thing, but Carlos’s uncle also works on the volcano and cares for a number of dogs who roam the area. The dogs know Carlos well and greet him warmly. Their fondness for Carlos extended to us too, so we got lots of awesome dog time on our hike. 12/10!
Time of day
Since the whole excursion takes approximately 6-7 hours, the Pacaya Volcano shared tours generally run twice a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The morning tour starts at 6:00 am while the afternoon tour starts at 2:00 pm.
We wanted to avoid hiking at the hottest part of the day, so we chose a 6:30 am start. Our driver picked us up from our accommodations in an SUV and dropped us off at the entrance to the Visitor Center, where our guide met us. We were the first ones to arrive, and we had the trail to ourselves until we were halfway through our descent. On a shared tour, since there are multiple stops, you may have an earlier pickup time but a later start time. This means more people on the trail, and possibly warmer temperatures.
Scenic views on our early morning drive
Here was our exact schedule, from start to finish:
6:30 am Picked up from accommodations.
7:30 am Arrived at the park entrance. Our guide met us and purchased our tickets. The price of our private tour included the cost of the entrance fee, otherwise foreigners pay 100Q or $13 per person. We used the facilities since there are no bathrooms on the trail.
7:40 am Began our hike.
Photo at the highest plateau, with the dog!
8:45 am Arrived at the plateau. We spent some time exploring and taking photos.
9:15 am Started our descent.
10:00 am Arrived at the bathroom and used the facilities.
10:15 am Began our drive back.
11:30 am Arrived back at our accommodations. The drive back took slightly longer due to traffic.
So, as you can see, we spent less time in total, and also spent most of it on the actual experience, instead of on getting from point to point.
Just the hike
Our tour did not include roasting marshmallows or cooking pizzas, which we preferred. If you'd like those experiences, just be sure to confirm what the price of the tour includes, since some features come at an additional cost.
Our private tour did include a snack box with water, a sandwich and fruit. We ended up consuming it in the car on the way back, but it could also save you a few minutes and allow you to skip breakfast due to the early start time.
Additional Bonus: Murals of Santa Maria de Jesus
A portion of a mural featuring Mayan people and patterns
On the drive to Pacaya Volcano, we passed through a town called Santa Maria de Jesus. It's primarily a farming town, so you'll mostly see locals going about their day. We saw ladies washing the household laundry in a public square, and farm workers leading horses hauling all varieties of goods. But what really caught our eye were the amazing murals that lined the street.
A mural of a Mayan elder wearing colorful fabric
After doing a little research, we discovered that the town hosts the Muralism Festival. With the participation of artists from Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras, the festival celebrates the identity and cultural diversity of the Mayan peoples by representing in murals the fabrics of different communities and municipalities. Just in case you normally try to get a few more winks of sleep on the drive, this visual feast is worth staying awake for!
The Aftermath: How We Felt the Next Day
After we got back to our accommodations, we got cleaned up and went out to explore more of Antigua. Admittedly, by the end of the day we were pretty exhausted, and we had an early night. The next day, we definitely had some soreness: Lynn in her back (perhaps we should have rented the sticks?), and Justin in the muscles around his knees. But overall, we were just a little worse for wear.
A leisurely day of art and culture the next day!
We started the next day leisurely exploring Antigua’s must-see art and sculpture park, which was a perfect follow up. So, consider allowing some room in your schedule to take it easy if needed.
Conclusion
Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a novice explorer, Pacaya Volcano offers something for everyone. So, take that first step, lace up your hiking boots, and embrace the thrill of adventure as you venture into the heart of Guatemala's natural wonder. Who knows? This could inspire a lifetime of conquering peaks. Or, like us, this could be the one and only volcano you'll ever climb. Either way, with the spirit of curiosity and a willingness to explore, we believe amazing memories await, and you'll be glad you did it.
