Pacaya Volcano Hike Near Antigua: My Experience

It seems that every Volcano in Guatemala is different. They each have their own story and every hike is not the same. Pacaya Volcano is no different.

When I heard about this hike and that I had a chance to walk next to lava, I instantly wanted to do this. Unfortunately, we weren’t that lucky. They said this is quite rare especially since at the time, Fuego was very active.

The weather surrounding volcanos, especially active ones, is very hard to predict. There wasn’t much of a view for us from any point during the hike. It was honestly fine because the real reason you go is to feel the texture of the rocks and eat a marshmallow heated by the volcano! If you want views, I suggest hiking San Pedro Volcano on Lake Atitlan.

In this guide, I will teach you some facts about Pacaya Volcano and what this hike entails.

Table of Contents

Pacaya Volcano Facts

There are 37 volcanos located throughout Guatemala. Each one of these volcanos has its history behind it. Pacaya Volcano first erupted over 23,000 years ago.

It became dormant for a long period before becoming more active in 1961.

Since then there have been more frequent eruptions of Fuego but Volcan Pacaya still can put on a show of her own.

These 2 volcanos are linked together so if one is extremely active then the other one is usually not.

With a quick drive of just over an hour from Antigua, the Volcano Pacaya hike is a must on your list of activities.

Pacaya Volcano Eruption of 2010 and 2021

The most recent massive eruption of Volcan Pacaya was in 2021 but a far more devastating one occurred in 2010. Ash littered the air and was pelting civilians as far as Guatemala City.

An evacuation was started but there were still some casualties. In 2021 villages were asked to evacuate once again but refused to do so.

My Experience of the Volcano Pacaya Hike

The Volcano Pacaya hike is not your normal hike in Guatemala. It is also very unique when comparing it to the other volcanos in and around the area.

The terrain of Pacaya Volcano has been shaped by the slow flow of lava when it erupts. This makes for a very interesting hike that will have you guessing what it looks like around the next corner.

For how cheap this hike is, I was shocked at the number of interesting features that we ran into.

The hike starts at the park entrance where you will have to pay an additional 50 Quetzales. Here they will give you wristbands to enter the park.

Once you go through, you can use the restroom if you need to and there will be a quick overview of the park and what the hike will entail.

Our guide showed us some Pacaya, which grows around the surrounding area. Shortly after we began the Volcan Pacaya hike.

Section 1

The beginning of the trail takes you through a forest and next to some farmlands. The soil surrounding volcanos typically has good soil to grow crops in.

This is why growing coffee in Guatemala is so popular. The trail starts to have a slight increase in the incline but it’s nothing too crazy at all.

There were people following us for the majority of the time with a horse trying to get someone to pay for a ride up.

One girl did it and it cost her 50 Quetzales for only the ride to the top. For the most part, this won’t be necessary at all.

Some people opted to buy a stick from the kids at the entrance for 10 Quetezales each but this is also not needed. After about 45 minutes into the Volcano Pacaya hike, you won’t ever need it again.

Section 2

After hiking for about 45 minutes you will get to a section of a steep incline that gives you the feeling of being at the end of the hike already.

When we got to this section, the clouds were rolling in and we had almost zero visibility besides the people around us. We thought this was it and the adventure was over.

That couldn’t have been further from the truth. After taking a few group photos we continued onto a path that led seemingly nowhere.

Our guide then said, “Ok guys, we’re gonna slide down this mountain now” and then he was gone into the clouds.

We were all confused at first and then we followed him down the mountain. This must have shaved off a bunch of time from our hike and was honestly super exhilarating.

Section 3

Shortly after sliding our way down the mountain, we hiked for a few more minutes on the side of the volcano. This was the part of the Volcano Pacaya hike that was wild to me.

It felt like you were walking through an area that just had a huge volcanic eruption. We stopped for a minute to clean out our shoes of rocks and continued.

Here he went over some old areas where lava was once flowing out. It was here that we felt some intense heat.

We continued onwards for a few more minutes where we ended up staying to cook our marshmallows. And let me tell you, these were the best marshmallows I’ve ever had.

There was also a very small pizza restaurant that cooked whatever pizza you wanted inside the volcano! Super cool but it was around $40 for one pizza so we decided to pass.

After we ate our marshmallows and took a few more pictures, we headed back down cutting through some paths to get down faster.

Things to Know When Visiting Volcano Pacaya

Pacaya isn’t talked about as much as some of the other activities in Guatemala like surfing in El Paredon or hiking to see Volcan Fuego erupt.

It seems that every experience I hear about is different than the last.

Below I’ll give you all the information you need to know to help make your decision on going a little easier.

Pacaya Volcano Hike Details & Directions

For full access to the location of this hike then click here

Pacaya Volcano Cost

The price to do the Pacaya Volcano hike can vary depending on who you talk to and if you’re doing the sunrise one or not. We chose to do it through our hostel at Maya Papaya.

The cost of this tour was 150 Quetezales ($20). This did not include the entrance fee which was an extra 50 Quetzales ($6.50).

This tour included transportation to and from, a very knowledgeable guide about the area, and marshmallows that are heated by Volcan Pacaya itself.

Overall this is a great deal. Here is a link to a reputable tour guide for the same price as we found.

What To Bring?

On any hike more than a walk in the park, you should bring the right equipment. The Volcan Pacaya hike is no different. Although this hike is a lot shorter than the other popular ones in Guatemala, it still can be challenging at certain points. Below is a list of recommended equipment that I suggest as well as the tour companies suggest that you bring.

Jacket
Sunglasses
Sun Hat
Cash
Sun Screen
Water
Snacks

Pacaya Volcano Hike Difficulty

Overall, the trail is very easy and most individuals won’t have a hard time at all. They do offer walking sticks and a horse but it is not needed at all. The terrain is unique in some areas because you are on an active volcano.

There will be sections where your feet sink into the ground but that is part of the experience.

Cooking Pizza and Roasting Marshmallows Inside Pacaya

There’s a chance that you heard about this volcano due to a popular clip of people cooking pizza inside Pacaya.

Yes, it’s true! But quite expensive.

The prices as of last year were 250Q for a small pizza and 450Q for a big pizza. This comes out to either $32 or $58 USD.

But you only live once right? If it’s not cloudy outside, the pictures with the pizza will be epic. You’ll also get to roast marshmallows with your tour!

Looking for More Things to Do in Antigua?

Antigua, Guatemala is a magical town that feels like a European town in Central America. The cobblestone streets and old buildings take you back in time.

Everyone you meet is nice and the coffee is amazing. This country and especially this town should be on everyone’s list when traveling to Latin America.

Some other great activities you can include but are not limited to an ATV tour as well as visiting Hobbitenango.

Below are a handful of other activities that you can choose to do during your visit to this amazing country.

Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala

Maya Papaya: This is the hostel we stayed at during our visit and it’s probably the nicest hostel I’ve ever been to in my life. The hospitality, beds, and breakfast were phenomenal.
Tropicana: If you’re looking for the top party hostel in Antigua, Tropicana is your spot. This hostel is cheap and is the best place to meet fellow backpackers!
Yellow House Hostel B&B: Looking for a beautiful hotel at an affordable price? Yellow House will take your breath away and not your wallet.

My Final Thoughts on Volcano Pacaya Hike

When I read some other blogs and saw other pictures of the Volcano Pacaya hike, my imagination went crazy. The idea of lava flowing right next to us was something I couldn’t put a price tag on. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see this. It is said that this is quite rare but can happen. Once we got to the top and we couldn’t see anything, I was extremely disappointed. I thought we just came on a bad day and there were going to be no more chances of seeing anything cool. I was wrong. The Volcano Pacaya hike is worth the money and especially if you’re lucky enough to see lava. There are not many places in the world where you get to hike through multiple environments and end the day by eating a volcano marshmallow.

Pacaya Volcano Hike Near Antigua: My Experience