Hike to Pacaya Volcano from Antigua

Explore Pacaya Volcano from Antigua: a thrilling hike with stunning views, volcanic sand trails, and steam vents. Perfect for adventure seekers!

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Pacaya Volcano - Pacaya is one of the most accessible active volcano walks that you can experience in the country. The tour starts with a pick up and transfer from any centrally located hotel in Antigua. After one hour ride you will arrive at the entrance of the National Park where you have time to go to the bathroom and prepare your self to climb. The hike is a moderate degree. We suggest to wear hiking boots, and a hiking stick, if you don´t have one you can rent a wooden stick that the locals can rent you for as little as Q5.00. This tour can be walking or in a horse (horse is not included). After walking along the trails of the volcanic sand with great views, you will reach the plateau from which you can see the main crater of the volcano. For safety reasons is not possible to visit it, but you will see some steam emanations produced by the heat of the volcano. Come across the dried lava fields to roast your marshmallows. After a while, is time to start to descend and take your bus back to Antigua.
What's Included
  • Collective transportation Antigua-Volcano-Antigua
  • Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)
  • Trail Guide in both languages Spanish-English (Basic English)
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fee Q100.00 per person
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Horse ride (Q250.00-Q300.00 round trip)
Additional Information

Pacaya is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and easily accessible with a height of 2552 masl. For more than 50 years the volcano has maintained a moderate eruptive phase. It is one of the most recommended volcanoes for its beautiful landscapes. The ascent is a moderate walk with some points of medium-high difficulty that offers wonderful panoramic views. The tour starts from Antigua. After one-hour ride, you will arrive at the entrance of the National Park where you have to pay the cost of the admission Q100.00 p/p. We suggest to wear hiking boots, and a hiking stick (if you don´t have one you can rent it for Q5.00). This tour can be walking or in a horse, (horse is not included). After walking along the trails of the volcanic sand with great views, you will reach the plateau from which you can see the main crater of the volcano. For safety reasons is not possible to visit it, but you will see some steam emanations produced by the heat of the volcano.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Minimum age is 4-year old
  • Take note that Rainy Season is from May to October, more chance of rain in the afternoons
  • The hike it runs even if it’s raining.
  • Wear hiking boots with good traction and toe protection, pants, jacket (rain coat and waterproof clothing in rainy season)
  • Only cash of quetzals is accepted to pay the admission fee
  • If you want to rent a horse, bring cash of quetzals
  • To join the Pizza Pacaya experience first ask us for availability due we don’t stop with David every day. You need to order and pay your pizza directly with David. Contact him at +502 57430259.
  • IMPORTANT: The activity is considered of moderate difficulty but all will depend on your physical condition.
Location
Pacaya Volcano
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(332 Ratings)
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Evgenii_s
Jul 14, 2024
It is a great hike, it... - It is a great hike, it was pretty warm it July. Unfortunately it was foggy but still a great activity to do.
Review provided by Viator
Susan_o
Jul 14, 2024
Perfect afternoon! - Our guide was amazing! Completely lovely experience... Worth every penny! Though I will say... Volcanos do not roast marshmallows the same way fire does... So be prepared for that. Still 1000/10. Liked more than acatenango and Fuego!
Review provided by Viator
Susan_d
Jul 13, 2024
Fun day trip to a Volcanp - It was a fun experience riding the horses to the volcano. The horses were sure footed and knew the trail well. The pace was nice and slow. We had plenty of time to walk around and see the recent lava flows and the areas where steam was coming from the volcanic ground. The Lava Store at the top was very interesting. The views along the trail and at the top were spectacular! Guide was very knowledgeable!
Review provided by Viator
Rachel_v
Jul 7, 2024
Amazing experience - Our tour guide was great! Hike was intense but worth the views! I recommend renting the stick for 10Q. I would definitely go again.
Review provided by Viator
Q1611cueileenk
Jun 26, 2024
Pacaya Hike was great. It Was exciting and the views of other volcanoes were beautiful. - A very enjoyable hike with great views. Moderately difficult hike so Dad rode up on horseback but son walked. Enjoyed it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Renee_j
Jul 30, 2024
Fun experience, great views and an unforgettable adventure. - Fun experience overall. The hike is tough and longer than expected - and the altitude made it difficult but an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_e
Jul 14, 2024
Impressive - The views and the time at the top of the volcano were incredible. Recommend taking a horse if not accustomed to a pretty vertical hike, but be cautious on way down.
Review provided by Viator
Imuniz
Jun 14, 2024
For those worried about the hike - I was nervous about booking this tour because I am not a hiker and I couldn't tell what to expect from the reviews. For context, I have been doing CrossFit for a year and a half but before that, I had not done much physical activity. I consider myself to be a relatively fit person now that I work out at least 5 days a week. The hike was hard. My heart rate remained at what it usually is when I'm in the middle of an intense workout. I had to stop a few times to get my breath in control. There are a few breaks here and there that were perfectly timed but towards the end, I had to take a few more. The guide was kind and waited for those of us that needed to take a break. There were others that seemed to have no issue and were going at the guide's pace. What made the trip a little more challenging is you have men with horses trying to get you to get on the horse on the way up. Later on, I was able to get ahead of them enough so it wasn't as tempting and bothersome. Towards the end, they finally left when they saw we were not going to get on a horse. All this to say that if you are worried about pace and you can book a private tour, do it. I would have enjoyed that more but I thought you needed 2 people minimum to do so. I was told by the guide that you can book for just one person. If you have to book with a group, you will still enjoy it especially if you know all of this ahead of time. The views were amazing even though we are in rainy season. I wasn't expecting to have such beautiful views. I also met amazing people. The guide was super friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rafaeldias86
Jun 24, 2024
Rise to the Pacaya volcano - Very interesting tour. The staff will pick you up at the hotel at the agreed time and take you to the start of the climb with a local guide. The climb is quite inclined and I believe it is not suitable for people with low mobility or little physical preparation. The tour is quite interesting but the negative point is that the locals are trying to push you at any cost to rent horses to make the trail, even the guide speeds up the step so that people with little preparation feel obliged to rent the horse.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyesha_f
Jun 14, 2024
Worst Experience! - I traveled solo for this experience, My trip there was awesome. The driver was top notched. However upon arrival that's where the madness start. I got overcharge for everything. They charged me 10q for the walking stick which should have been 5q. And then I was charged 300q for the horse which should have been 250q. The guide rushed us most of the way with little commentary. And then leaving they try to charge me a second time for the horse. At that point I got angry and then they said it was ok. I went on a guided tour to avoid worrying about nonsense like that. I could have went on my own if I was going to encounter such thuggery. Worst part was that they asked for a tip afterwards!!!! It ruin my experience.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
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September 2024
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