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 Acatenango Volcano hike is long and can be challenging, but is rewarding.
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.
On the 4x4 tour, you can start hiking at this point of the trail.
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.
The Acatenango Volcano hike is more than 24 hours when done with a tour.
🤔 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.
Staying the night at Acatenango Volcano allows you to appreciate it more.
📊 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.
These kioks have quick foods and snacks, and are 30 minutes into the hike.
🚽 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).
