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A half-day hike across petrified lava, volcanic ash and rocks, with sweeping landscapes and marshmallows roasted on the volcano’s heat.
FROM $39.00 $25.00 per person
Pickup in Antigua or Guatemala City
6-hour tour, back the same day
Walk on petrified lava rivers
Roast marshmallows on volcanic rocks
Registered and approved by INGUAT
100% secure transactions
Free Cancellation – applies if canceled 48 hours before the tour time (local time).
Pacaya Volcano, a protected area strategically located on the border of Escuintla and Guatemala departments in the southeastern part of the country, is one of the most popular destinations for a volcano tour from Antigua or Guatemala City. Standing as the highest and most prominent peak in the region, Pacaya reaches an elevation of 8,373 feet (2,552 meters) and is surrounded by 13 additional craters – making it a top choice for those seeking an active volcano hike in Guatemala.
In 2021, Pacaya Volcano exhibited intense volcanic activity with powerful explosions, ash showers, and rivers of lava extending up to 2.4 miles for more than 70 days. These dramatic events posed serious threats to nearby communities and left behind striking petrified lava rivers, now visible from several hiking routes. Past eruptions, notably in 1998 and 2010, sent ash clouds soaring – up to 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) and 4,000 feet respectively – blanketing even Guatemala City, 50 km away.
Explore both packages Pacaya Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Guatemala City through our budget-friendly Pacaya Volcano tour. Perfect for travelers seeking an affordable yet unforgettable experience, this Pacaya Volcano hike tour offers a unique opportunity to hike up the Pacaya Volcano, walk along volcanic ash trails, and witness the awe-inspiring force of nature up close. It’s one of the best volcano tours in Guatemala – accessible, thrilling, and packed with photo-worthy moments.
01The Pacaya Volcano is one of the active volcanoes in Guatemala, it has erupted several times in Guatemala causing havoc in much of the country. Volcanic rocks and rivers of petrified lava are tangible proof of these historical events.
02At Pacaya Tours, we have an alliance with the best certified guides to accompany you on this adventure. Some of our guides speak up to 90% English, are patient, and walk at your pace. They will also share fascinating local stories with you.
03The Pacaya Volcano hike is moderate (5/10): about 1.5 to 2 hours up to the main viewpoints, with some steep stretches on volcanic terrain. You don’t need hiking experience, and if you worry about keeping up with the group, you can ride a horse alongside it instead.
04At over 2,100 meters above sea level, you can take in the majesty of Guatemala’s stunning landscapes, including the neighboring volcanoes: Acatenango, Agua, and Fuego.
05We offer all-inclusive tours starting at $25 per person, with transportation and a local guide included.
06The tour lasts between 5 and 6 hours. We will pick you up in Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala, take you to the volcano, guide you on the Pacaya Volcano hike, and then take you back to your place of origin.
To provide a safer, high-quality, and professional experience, Pacaya Tours is officially registered and approved by the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT). Feel safe booking your next volcano tour in Guatemala with us!
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No. As of November 2026, Pacaya Volcano is on yellow alert and calm: INSIVUMEH reports steam and gas from the MacKenney crater but no active lava flows. On the hike you walk across the black rivers of petrified lava left by the 2021 eruption and feel heat rising between the rocks, where you roast marshmallows. Glowing lava is only visible during active phases, always from a safe distance.
Yes. Pacaya Volcano is one of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes, with Fuego and Santiaguito, and it has been in an intermittent active phase since 2021. Its biggest recent eruptions were in 1998, 2010 and 2021, when lava flowed for more than 70 days. Hiking onto the active cone is never allowed; tours stop at the viewpoints and lava fields.
Pacaya Volcano stands 2,552 m (8,373 ft) high in Pacaya Volcano and Laguna de Calderas National Park, between the departments of Escuintla and Guatemala. It is about 50 km (31 mi) from Guatemala City and about an hour’s drive from Antigua Guatemala, which makes it one of the easiest active volcanoes to visit on a half-day trip.
The Pacaya Volcano hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours up to the main viewpoints and less on the way down. With round-trip transport, the whole tour from Antigua lasts 5 to 6 hours, so you can leave at 6:00 AM or 2:00 PM and be back at your hotel the same day.
A Pacaya Volcano group tour from Antigua costs from US$25 per person with transport and a certified guide; private tours start at US$179 per group. The park entrance is paid apart, in cash only: Q100 or US$15 per foreign visitor and Q30 for Guatemalans with DPI (2026).
For the Pacaya Volcano hike bring sturdy shoes with grip for loose volcanic sand, a jacket (it gets windy at the top), at least 1 liter of water, sunscreen, a cap and cash for the entrance. On the 2:00 PM tour, bring a flashlight for the walk down after sunset.
Yes. Families hike Pacaya Volcano often, because the trail is moderate (5/10) and short. Children who are used to walking usually make it on their own; if you worry about the pace, kids from 4 years old can ride a horse alongside the group, and children from 1 to 3 ride with an adult.
Hike Pacaya if you have half a day and want an easy-to-moderate walk on lava fields with marshmallows at the top. Choose Acatenango if you want a hard overnight trek (about 3,976 m) to watch Fuego Volcano erupt at night. Many travelers do Pacaya first and Acatenango later in the same trip.
Yes. There is a Pacaya Volcano group tour from Guatemala City with pickup at 8:30 AM at the Westin Camino Real or Hotel Barceló, and private tours from the capital that pick you up at your hotel or Airbnb any time between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way.
6-hour Pacaya Volcano hike tour from Antigua or Guatemala City, from $25 per person.
