Hike to Pacaya Volcano from Antigua
Hike one of Central America's most active and accessible volcanoes on this unforgettable adventure just an hour from Antigua. Pacaya offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, including solidified lava flows and steaming vents (no flowing lava is visible), but you’ll feel the heat beneath your feet.
What truly sets this tour apart is the chance to experience a unique geological wonder with the added possibility (on select departures) of cooking pizza over hot volcanic rocks, a fun and memorable highlight when conditions allow.
We ensure a smooth and well-organized experience led by knowledgeable guides. With round-trip transportation, bilingual assistance, and optional horse rentals at the trailhead, this tour is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic and scenic outdoor adventure near Antigua.
Options
Pacaya in the afternoon
Duration: 6 hours: Round-trip drive takes approx. 3h. Hike is 1.5h. up, 30 mins at the top, and 50 mins down. Times may vary due to traffic.
Rainy Season: During May–Oct rain is more likely in the afternoons. Bring a rain jacket and a flashlight.
Pickup included
What's included in Hike to Pacaya Volcano from Antigua
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Pacaya Volcano
Embark on an unforgettable half-day adventure to Pacaya, one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes. After a scenic one-hour drive from Antigua, begin a guided hike through lush forests and volcanic terrain. The trail offers striking views and leads to a plateau with dried lava fields and steaming vents—clear signs of ongoing volcanic activity. For safety reasons, visitors can’t approach the crater, but the volcanic heat is felt underfoot. On select departures, and when conditions allow, you may even cook pizza over hot volcanic rocks (a fun and unique treat). At the summit, take in panoramic views of nearby volcanoes and the vast Guatemalan landscape before descending back to the base. This experience blends natural beauty, light adventure, and a rare geological encounter, perfect for curious travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Inclusions
- Shared transportation round trip from Antigua.
- Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)
- Trail Guide in both languages Spanish-English (Basic English)
- Entrance fee - Entrance fee to Pacaya National Park: Q100.00 per person (approx. USD $14), mandatory and payable in cash directly at the park entrance. 100 per person.
- Horse rental (optional): Approx. Q300 per horse (US$40), payable directly to local providers.
- Wooden walking stick (Optional) - Q10.00 ($1.5) payable directly to local providers.
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- - Accessibility & Requirements
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Minimum age: 4 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- This is a moderate hike; the difficulty level may vary depending on your physical condition.
- - Important Notes
- The tour runs rain or shine, and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous storm or if local authorities restrict access.
- Entrance fee (Q100) must be paid in cash and in quetzales at the park entrance.
- Horse rental is available as an optional service, arranged directly with authorized local community members at the park. While this is not part of our tour package, we are happy to assist in coordinating if needed. Please note that the use of this service is under the responsibility of the provider and guest.
- If you're interested in the Pizza Pacaya experience, we can help arrange for your guide to take you there—however, it is not included in the tour. This is an independent service offered by David of Pizza Pacaya. Once we confirm availability, we’ll provide his contact and the steps to follow. Orders and payment are handled directly with him.
- - What to Wear & Bring
- Hiking boots with good traction and toe protection are essential.
- Comfortable pants, a light jacket, and sun protection (hat/cap, sunscreen).
- Dry Season (Nov–Apr): Warm, sunny days with cooler temperatures at the top. Wear breathable clothing and bring a jacket.
- Rainy Season (May–Oct): Expect afternoon rain. Wear waterproof boots, a raincoat or poncho, and moisture-wicking clothing. A waterproof backpack cover is highly recommended.
- - Traffic Notice (Daily – 2:00pm Tour)
- Due to frequent afternoon traffic congestion in and around Antigua, especially during peak hours, travelers booked for the 2:00pm tour (Monday to Sunday) may be asked to meet at a central pickup point instead of their hotel. This helps us avoid delays that can affect the entire group. We will notify you in advance if this applies to your reservation. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
- - Customer Support Availability
- Our WhatsApp number is available for general inquiries Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 6:00pm (local time). Outside these hours and on weekends, we kindly ask for your patience, as our responses may be delayed. During this time, we prioritize communication with travelers who have confirmed bookings and tours in progress.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points
Please arrive at the pick up point 10 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
Since this is a shared tour, please be ready outside your accommodation at the scheduled pickup time. We allow a 20-minute pickup window to accommodate all guests. The more promptly everyone is ready, the smoother the tour will run for all. We offer pickup from centrally located hotels, Airbnbs, and homestays within Antigua Guatemala. Important: We do not provide pickup from areas outside the central zone, such as El Hato, Santa Ana, San Bartolomé Becerra, Ciudad Vieja, San Juan del Obispo, San Pedro Las Huertas, Santa Inés, Villas Orotava, Santo Domingo del Cerro, Antika, or San Pedro el Panorama. Please note that even if the booking platform allows you to enter your address, it may not mean it’s within our pickup area. If you are staying in a private home or Airbnb, we recommend sending us your exact address to confirm whether pickup is possible. This is a shared transportation service, so occasional delays may occur due to traffic or location issues. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we coordinate pickups for all participants.
Meeting / End Points
- 6a Avenida Norte No. 42, (In front of La Merced Church), Antigua Guatemala 03001
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Ticket changes can be made at the visitor center at the volcano on the day of your tour. There's no need to visit any other location beforehand. Before entering Pacaya Park, you'll need to pay an entrance fee of Q100.00 per person. After payment, you'll receive your ticket to access the park. Please ensure you have cash in quetzales to cover the entrance fee
