The World’s Most Epic Volcano Hike: How to Experience Acatenango
Imagine cuddled up by the fire watching lava spew out of a volcano, hiking above the clouds surrounded by volcanos, and waking up to a magical steamy sunrise. Well, these are just a few of the things you can expect during your Acatenango Volcano hike.
The hike to Acatenango and Fuego Volcanoes is amongst the top acitivites to do in Guatemala, and is truly one you'll want to have on your bucket list. We finally checked this off from our Central American bucket list, and are here to inspire you to do the same!
In this guide we're going to cover everything you need to know for the Acatenango Volcano hike - from how to book and get started, to what the entire experience looks like from start to finish.
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An Intro to the Acatenango Volcano Hike
Before we go into the details of the Acatenango Volcano hike itself, we're going to share some info about Acatenango, so you can know what you're in for!
📍 Where is Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala?
Acatenango volcano is just south west of Antigua in Guatemala. It is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and is about an hour drive away from the city.
🌋 Is Acatenango Always Erupting?
The incredibly unique feature of Acatenango Volcano is that it actually erupts on average every 15 minutes! Of course it's not exactly clock work. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, and sometimes it'll erupt just minutes apart.
The good thing though, is that no matter what day or time of year you decide to go, the volcano is guaranteed to erupt in front of your eyes!
🥵 Is Climbing Acatenango Hard?
The hike itself to Acatenango Volcano's base camp really isn't crazy difficult, and when you're with a group everyone helps each other and goes at a pace that works for everyone.
There are a lot of places to stop, and when the hike is broken up the way it is, it can be done even by children and those that aren't in crazy good shape.
The hardest part of the Acatenango Volcano Hike is having to carry a ton of things with you. The water, food, and supplies to stay a night are what truly make this hike more challenging than some others that we have done.
The good thing is that if you aren't in great shape and want to save energy and time, you can opt for a 4x4 tour which cuts out a lot of the hiking time.
Honestly if we do it again in the future, we'll probably opt for the 4x4. But for our first time, it felt like a nice accomplishment to hike the whole thing.
How to Get to Acatenango Volcano
The only way to experience Acatenango is by hiking there. There are a few different options though, for all different physical and comfort levels.
🚶🏻♀️ Can You Hike Acatenango on Your Own?
Acatenango can be done in a number of ways! We're going to dive into all of the ways you can do the Acatenango Volcano hike.
Can You Hike Acatenango Without a Guide?
Acatenango is most popularly done by hiring a guide, and typically done in groups. We honestly recommend this, but it certainly doesn't mean you need to!
There is no law preventing hikers to conquer Acatenango on their own, and it can certainly be done, so long as you have the right equipment and prepare for it properly. We actually met a guy spending several days up at the top!
📆 Do I Need to Book Acatenango in Advance?
There are limited spots in tour groups for the Acatenango Volcano hike, so you'll certainly want to book in advance.
You can either book a tour online ahead of time, or you can organize the trip through your hotel a couple of days in advance.
📍 Where Do You Start the Acatenango Hike?
The Acatenango volcano hike starts at G4P8+MH8, which is located along route 10 in Aldea de Soledad.
How Difficult is the Acatenango Hike?
Now that you know about the different options for the Acatenango Volcano hike, we're ging to share the difficulty of the hike to Acatenango, Fuego, and for the sunrise hike. This way, you can choose which option fits your physical fitness and comfort level.
🔝 How High is Acatenango?
Acatenango Volcano sits 3,976 meters (or 13,041 feet) high.
💊 Do I Need Altitude Sickness Pills for Acatenango?
Despite the high altitude of Acatenango Volcano you shouldn't have to worry about experiencing altitude sickness, especially if you're coming from Antigua or Lake Atitlan beforehand.
📈 How Steep is Acatenango Hike?
The Acatenango Volcano hike to the base camp has certain parts that are pretty steep, and will definitely give your legs a work out! Other areas are much easier, and it's a pretty dynamic hiking experience overall.
The sunrise hike to the top of Acatenango is very steep though! I definitely wished I had better sneakers or a hiking pole for this part, as our guide wouldn't wait for us, and it was quite difficult.
For the way down, we ended up taking off a leg of our tripod to use as a walking stick instead.
⏳ How Long is the Hike to Fuego Volcano?
Fuego Volcano is an extension of the Acatenango Volcano hike, and starts from the base camp. We were exhausted and unsure about how the views would be due to the weather, so we skipped out, but other groups went there for sunset, and hiked back together in the dark.
It typically takes an extra hour and a half to hike up Fuego Volcano, and 1 hour to hike down. We've heard it's a pretty steep hike, and can be quite difficult, but the views up close are supposed to be phenomenal. However, if the weather isn't in your favor, you could also drive all the way there and end up with zero view.
If you are going during the rainy season, it's best to ask others coming down from the night before, as it can be a good indicator of whether or not adding Fuego Volcano is a good decision for you. (Keep in mind this is also an extra charge!).
⌛️ How Long Does it Take to Hike the Volcano Acatenango?
The Acatenango Volcano hike looks a bit different for everyone, depending on whether you decide to go with a group or on your own.
On average though, groups tend to take 5-6 hours to get up to base, and 3 hours to get back down.
There are two additions to the Acatenango Volcano hike, the first which is to continue to Fuego Volcano for sunset, and the other is to do a sunrise hike up to the top of Acatenango Volcano. Fuego takes about 3 hours round trip, and the sunrise hike is about 45-60 minutes up, and a half hour on the way down.
The entire experience for the Acatenango Volcano hike tour from start to finish (regardless of whether you do Fuego or the sunrise hike) is a little over 24 hours, starting in the late morning, and getting back around midday the following day.
🤔 Can You Hike Acatenango in One Day?
In short, yes, you can! However, it's certainly not the way we'd suggest, as part of the magic of the Acatenango Volcano hike is being able to watch the volcano erupt at night, and to be able to experience it during both sunrise and sunset.
If you really have your heart set on going on your own, you should bring your own tent, and spend the night. If you don't have a tent though, you could also opt for spending a few hours at the top and hiking down in the dark. It's not ideal, but it's also an option.
📊 Acatenango Volcano Hiking Stats
Length of trail to Acatenango Volcano base camp: 4.3 miles (7 km)
Elevation gain: 5,250 feet (1,600 meters)
Time it takes the average person to hike up: 4-6 hours
Time it takes the average person to hike down: 3 hours
Parking (on your own): can park at the bottom or Plaza I Love Acatenango for 50Q (this saves a half hour of hiking)
Best time to hike: late morning
Length of trail to Fuego Volcano from the base camp: 1.2 miles (2 km)
Elevation gain: 1,548 feet (472 meters)
Time it takes the average person to hike: 3 hours round trip
Best time to hike: an hour before sunset
Length of trail to the top of Acatenango Volcano from the base camp: .6 miles (1 km)
Elevation gain: 4,383 feet (1,336 meters)
Time it takes the average person to hike: 45-60 minutes up, 30 minutes down
Best time to hike: an hour before sunrise
Price & Timetable for the Acatenango Volcano Hike
Now that you know how to get started with the Acatenango Volcano hike, we're going to break down the costs and time you need to accompish it.
💵 How Much Does it Cost to Go to the Volcan Acatenango?
The price of doing the Acatenango Volcano hike depends on whether you do a tour or not. Here are the average prices you can expect:
👨👩👧👦 Group Tours: $40-$50
🌋 Fuego Volcano Addition: 200-300 Quetzales
🛻 4x4 Tours: $200-$300
🚶🏻♀️Solo Hiking: 10-50 Quetzales + camping equipment
How Much is the Entrance Fee for Acatenango?
The entrance fee to Acatenango is 50 Quetzales for foreigners, 25 Quetzales for locals, and 10 Quetzales for students. This is paid in cash upon arrival to the registration area. We had to pay this apart from our tour, which seems to be pretty typical.
🕘 When are the Tours For the Acatenango Volcano Hike?
The tours for the Acatenango Volcano hike are typically at two different times.
The groups that are doing the traditional hike meet in the morning, around 8 or 9, and start the hike around 10 or 11:00.
Those that are going on a 4x4 excursion won't leave until a bit later, typically in the early afternoon.
Can You Do the Acatenango Volcano Hike at Any Time?
As people are coming and going at all times, you can do your Acatenango Volcano hike at any time you'd like! Of course, we'd recommend hiking during the day so that you can see properly, which is why most tour groups leave at this time.
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Amenities at Acatenango Volcano
The Acatenango Volcano hiking trail is pretty well set up for tourism, but it's also good to be well prepared for your visit! Here are some of the things to keep in mind in terms of amenities there.
🍴 Food & Drink
There are a couple of places to eat along the Acatenango Volcano hike, most of which are at the beginning. You can find cold and hot drinks, snacks, and also some quick hot foods.
At the top you won't find any restaurants or places selling food or drinks, which is why it's so important to bring your own with you, or to go with a guide who will be cooking at the camp site for you.
🚽 Bathrooms
Bathrooms are far and few between at Acatenango, but there are a few! For starters, the different camp sites of the tour companies have their own toilets, so you won't have to worry about having to go out in nature. They aren't the most glamorous, but they do the job.
There are bathrooms at the first stop of the hike, and you'll also find a toilet at the official entrance of the park, as well as one other stop along the way, which we'll be mentioning in the next section.
🚿 Showers
Showers are the one thing really missing when it comes to amenities during the Acatenango Volcano hike. Make sure to take a nice shower before going, and bring your own wipes to freshen up at night.
We recommend getting soap sheets, as they're a quick and sustainable way to be able to wash up without taking up a lot of room or weight.
🛌 Accommodation
There are various camp sites at the top, which are reserved for the different hiking groups. Our group slept in a wooden house that had bunk beds, and we all slept side by side, as you can see in the picture below.
If you go on your own, you'll have to bring your own tent. We met a guy camping on the top of the volcano, and was staying there for a few days!
🛍 Shopping
If you aren't totally prepared for the Acatenango Volcano hike, don't worry! Right before the trailhead begins you'll stop at a small shop. They have snacks, water, hiking poles, jackets, and other items that you may want to purchase before starting your Acatenango adventure.
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The Acatenango Volcano Hike
Now that you know the details for starting your adventure, we're going to go into detail about exactly what an Acatenango Volcano hike looks like, from start to finish.
🛻 The Acatenango Volcano Hike Pick Up
We had our alarm set early, as pick up time was 9:00 AM. We'd recommend having a big breakfast, and a good night of sleep the night before.
As the groups are typically around 10-15 people, the transportation will be stopping at each hotel, and this usually takes around an hour, putting us on the road around 10:00 AM.
🎬 Starting the Acatenango Volcano Hike
After an hour on the road, we arrived at the parking lot around 11:00 AM. Our guides gave our jackets and gloves to those who needed them, our lunches, and water jugs.
We stopped at a small shop next to the parking lot, and had the opportunity to purchase any other things we wanted, whether it be a drink, snack, hiking poles, or extra clothing for the hike.
It was pouring rain when we were starting, so we purchased garbage bags to wear on top.
🚶🏻♀️ The Acatenango Volcano Hike
After a half hour of getting everyone together, we were ready to start the Acatenango Volcano hike! We started at 11:30, and the first half hour was on a consistent incline.
At 12:00 we made a stop which had beautiful views of the valley below, snacks and drinks offered, as well as a bathroom. There was also a parking lot here, so if you are doing the Acatenango Volcano hike on your own you can arrange to park here for 50 Quetzales (cutting out a bit of the hike).
Just up the hill from the small kiosk was also another area with a few more kiosks, so that we could get something simple like a cup of coffee or a sandwich. We stopped here for about 10 minutes.
After another 15 minutes of walking up stairs, we made another stop at some benches to enjoy the view and take a break for just a few minutes.
At 12:30 we continued up the stairs and after another 5-10 minutes there was another bench our group stopped at. If it wasn't raining so much, we probably wouldn't have stopped, but it's good to know that the option to stop is there.
After another 10 minutes, we arrived at the Estrada sign. It was 12:50, and we had finally arrived to the official park entrance Here is where you''ll pay your entrance fee, get your wristband, and have a chance to get a snack or use the bathroom. Our group was here for about 15 minutes.
The Official Acatenango Volcano Hike
At 1:05 our group continued hiking for 25 minutes, going through beautiful green forests, before we had another 10 minute break.
At 1:40 we started our final leg before our lunch break. Here is where you'll be going through a beautiful green forested area.
Lunch Time
After 25 minutes we finally arrived at our lunch spot! It was full of other tour groups sitting on the ground and tree branches around the area to enjoy their lunches. Ours was actually a great portion of chicken, rice, and bread, which was suprisingly tasty.
Not only was the area flooded by people, but it was full of stray dogs that now call this area home due to all of the tourists feeding them.
Lunch was about 40 minutes, and then we continued our Acatenango Volcano hike re-energized and eager to continue.
The next 45 minutes had a variety of flat areas, as well as some steeper slopes heading uphill. As soon as you leave the green area and it opens up, you'll start to experience the really fun part of the hike!
Right after we got up the steepest slope, we were greeted by one of the most beautiful views of Volcan de Agua, which is the gorgeous volcano that is visible from Antigua. This is where the 4x4 tours drop hikers, and our group spent about 20 minutes taking pictures and enjoying the view before continuing.
The Short Trail for Acatenango/ The Final Leg
At 4:05 our group continued, and at this point, the hike becomes extremely enjoyable! There is little incline for the rest of the way, and the views are simply stunning.
After 30 minutes we arrived at "Mirador de Tres Volcanos" which means "Viewpoint of 3 Volcanos". Here you'll find a bench you can rest at, as well as a bathroom.
Now we're onto the final stretch! At 4:45 we were ready for the last part before arriving to the base camp of Acatenango. The last half hour was truly our favorite, as it was flat, and had some breathtaking views.
We stopped quickly for photos along the way, and we also were starting to see the eruptions from Acatenango!
🔝 Arriving at the Base of Acatenango Volcano
After a really long day, we finally arrived at the base camp of Acatenango, where we would be spending the night.
Having arrived at 5:15, we then had the opportunity to rush and do Fuego for sunset, or to relax and enjoy the sunset at the base camp before dinner.
Our group was quite content with staying at the base camp, especially since Fuego is an extra charge, and we weren't positive that we'd get views at the top. So instead, we all enjoyed a beautiful sunset taking pictures, and enjoying a true treat, which was a group of newborn puppies at our campsite!
The puppies were stray, but were living right next to the camp site, so of course I dedicated every moment until dinner to playing with them.
🥾 Hiking Fuego Volcano
For the super adventure-lovers out there, Fuego Volcano is an amazing extension to the Acatenango Volcano hike. While you're able to appreciate Acatenango from your camp, being able to get even closer will allow you to have an even more special experience.
Hiking Fuego allows you to have an up-close-and-personal encounter, and is one that far fewer do.
The hike is typically during sunset, allowing you to see the lava pouring down the sides of the volcano once you're up there. You'll be hiking down in the dark, so you'll definitely want a head lamp or flash light for this one.
Is Fuego Worth it?
If it is a clear day, and you're doing okay on your budget, we'd say Fuego Volcano is probably worth the extra energy and money. After all, you've already made it so far!
That being said, we were still happy with our decision to not do the extra hike, because we weren't guaranteed a view, and we loved enjoying sunset at the base camp with the puppies.
We did see pictures from other people who had done it, and WOW. If you are a photographer and have a clear day, we'd recommend pushing on. We know we will next time!
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🎆 The Night at Acatenango Base Camp
After the sunset, we all claimed our beds we'd be staying in, got settled into the camp site, and had a nice cup of hot chocolate by the fire. It was starting to get super cold, so cuddling up by the fire and hanging out with the group was really a nice way to celebrate that we'd made it.
Shortly after, we were served dinner. It was a basic pasta dish, but was just what we needed to get some energy back and have something hot in our stomachs.
We spent a few hours at the fire and watching the vibrant red lava soaring out of the top of Acatenango and getting some fun pictures of this unique experience.
It can truly be an addicting show, and we spoke with a lot of people who ended up spending the entire night watching the eruptions! After a few though, we decided it was best to get some rest for our early start for sunrise.
🌄 The Sunrise Hike to Acatenango Volcano
The Acatenango Volcano hike for sunrise is completely optional, and only a few of us opted to do it.
Waking up at 3:45 to start hiking after an intense day before was difficult, and the cold certainly didn't make it any easier.
The hike up was about 45-60 minutes of walking up volcanic rocks on a really steep incline in the dark, so it truly wasn't the most pleasant experience, and as the four of us brave souls were struggling to climb up, we had been wondering if getting up to do this was really the right choice.
Is the Sunrise Hike at Acatenango Volcano Worth it?
Halfway up we turned around and saw the city behind us lighting up. It was truly a stunning sight! But as soon as we got to the top, we saw Acatenango shooting out lava and we got to see it so close you could really see it running down the sides. Needless to say, at this moment we realized how worth the sunrise hike was.
We made it! We got just that one eruption in before the sun started to peak out, and the following eruptions were simply smoke and ash - nonetheless a fantastic thing to witness so close.
We spent maybe a half hour at the top taking pictures and enjoying the views, before being rushed by our guide to return down to our camp for breakfast.
☕️ The Morning Before Heading Back
After a half hour of running down the volcanic rock, the sun was shining and we made it back to our camp, where everyone else was waiting for us.
We had some coffee and oatmeal, played with the puppies, and gathered our belongings to start our descent to the bottom.
🔙 The Acatenango Volcano Hike Return
We left the camp about 7:30, and the way back was so pleasant. The walk was easy and scenic, allowing us to truly enjoy the Acatenango Volcano hike on our way down.
It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get to the spot we had lunch the day before, and at 2 hours in we had made it to the official park entrance where we all took a little break for 10 minutes before finishing our adventure.
🏁 The Finish Line
As 10:15 we made it back to the first viewpoint, and we all had another 10 minute break having a hot drink and taking a big group photo.
Just 15 minutes more of hiking down, and we had finally made it to the finish line, where all of the other hikers were cheering each other on for completing the iconic Acatenango Volcano hike.
🚐 The Acatenango Volcano Hike Drop Off
After 3 hours of hiking, we waited for our entire group, took a picture, and those that rented hiking sticks returned them to the shop.
The ride back was about an hour, and then the van dropped each person off group by group. We all exchanged numbers and social media, and met later to have a beer and celebrate our shared accomplishment.
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Is Hiking in Acatenango Safe?
The Acatenango Volcano hike is completely safe, especially if you go with a group! The guides are experts and help to prepare you for this adventure.
Even though it can be a bit difficult at times, we never felt unsafe.
The trails are pretty well marked, and it is a very popular hike, so even if you go on your own you'll be able to find your way.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for the Acatenango Volcano Hike
Now you know all of the details for what the Acatenango Volcano hike will look like! But here are some other super important things to keep in mind.
☀️ Weather Conditions at Acatenango
We never imagined needing a jacket for Guatemala, but the top of Acatenango gets extremely cold!
We visited in the rainy season, and boy did the rain deliver. The beginning of our hike was truly miserable, and it only continued to get colder the further we went up. If you visit during the rainy season it's also important to note that it can get really foggy, and therefore change the visibility.
We heard of people hiking all the way up and not having a view of the volcano at all! Luckily the weather did clear up for us, but if we were to do it again we'd go during the dry season to avoid the chance of not being able to enjoy the views at the top.
🥶 How Cold is the Hike up Acatenango?
The higher up you hike, the colder it starts to become. It was in the 40's (Fahreinheit) up at the top when we went in June, and it can be even colder at other times of the year. It also may be sunny and warm at the bottom, while it's super cold and windy at the top.
📆 The Best Time to Do the Acatenango Volcano Hike
The best time to do the Acatenango Volcano hike is in the late morning or midday, so that you reach the base just before sunset.
If you are doing a tour, you'll find that pretty much all of them start at two different times, and this depends on which kind of tour you take.
Tours that do the entire Acatenango Volcano hike from start to finish will start pickups in the morning from Antigua, and the hike itself will start between 10 and 12. The 4x4 tours skip the first part of the hike, and will leave in the afternoon, also arriving to the top a little before sunrise.
🌗 Is it Better to Hike Acatenango Day or Overnight?
We highly recommend doing the Acatenango Volcano hike overnight, as this is the only time you'll actually be able to see the lava spewing out from the top.
Staying overnight is a truly special experience, and being able to see the sun set over the volcanoes, a sky full of stars, eruptions with lava, and the sun rising at the top are all reasons you'll want to opt for the overnight trip.
🎒 How to Prepare for the Acatenango Volcano Hike
One of the most important parts of having a great Acatenango Volcano hike is preparation. This isn't a hike you'll simply throw some sneakers on and walk for a few hours.
It's something you'll need to be prepared for physically, as well as when it comes to dressing and packing.
Since this is an overnight hike, and there is a lot to know, we've created a separate guide for our Acatenango packing list for you.
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💪🏼 How Fit Do You Need to Be to Hike Acatenango?
We read a lot of articles online that truly scared us before doing the Acatenango Volcano hike. Did we need to train? Were we prepared enough? The other guides truly had us a little worried about all of this.
As long as you are an active person and don't have serious health conditions, you'll be fine!
Each group is as fast as their weakest hiker, and most groups have a variety of people in the group. There are plenty of stops, and at no point did we feel that it was too much for us. We even had a young girl with us, and a couple of relatively older people that were able to conquer the Acatenango Volcano hike.
🏋🏻♀️ How Do You Train to Hike the Acatenango Volcano?
If you're not an active person at all, but truly have your heart set on doing the Acatenango Volcano hike, then we'd recommend getting yourself physically ready in advance.
How to Train for Acatenango
You'll want to make sure you're comfortable hiking with a backpack, so we'd recommend going on walks with a bit of an incline and carrying a backpack on your back while doing so.
If you're active for the weeks prior to the hike, you shouldn't have any issue.
A lot of other people also do the Indian Nose Hike at Lake Atitlan before doing Acatenango, or some other volcano hikes nearby (we did Santiaguito Volcano in Xela). Of course they are easier, but it's a nice way to stay active and get your muscles moving before doing the Acatenango Volcano hike.
Tips for the Acatenango Volcano Hike
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So are you ready to experiece the most incredible experience in Guatemala? The Acatenango Volcano hike is truly a bucket list item, and is worth all of the time, money, and effort.
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