National park · Mexico
Volcán El Chichón
Enter Volcán El Chichón for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 50 km (31 mi) from Chapultenango to the trailhead, hike 5.5 km (3.4 mi) to the summit in 2–3 h, and descend to the crater lake; go in the dry season (Feb–Apr) for dry trails.Enter Volcán El Chichón for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 31 mi (50 km) from Chapultenango to the trailhead, hike 3.4 mi (5.5 km) to the summit in 2–3 h, and descend to the crater lake; go in the dry season (Feb–Apr) for dry trails.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Feb–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Exact protected area not published; volcano itself is the main attraction.
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Villahermosa
Volcán El Chichón is a striking volcanic complex in Chiapas, famous for its 1 km‑wide caldera and emerald crater lake. The main summit trail offers panoramic highland views, while the lake loop lets hikers explore the volcanic basin. The site is accessible from Chapultenango and best visited in the dry season (Feb–Apr) when trails are firm and skies clear.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1982.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1982
Exact protected area not published; volcano itself is the main attraction.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Villahermosa.
Why go
- Reach the 1 km (0.6 mi)‑wide caldera and its green crater lake.Reach the 0.6 mi (1 km)‑wide caldera and its green crater lake.
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Chiapas highlands from the summit.
- Explore a volcanic landscape shaped by the 1982 eruption.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebDry, trails firm.
- MarDry, ideal hiking.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of wet season; occasional showers.
- JunMore rain, trails may get muddy.
- JulPeak wet season, frequent afternoon storms.
- AugWet, slippery paths.
- SepWet, but occasional dry spells.
- OctTransition to dry; trails improving.
- NovDryening, cooler.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland birds and small mammalsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Villahermosa (airport)
Bus or rental car 120 km (75 mi) to Pichucalco, then 70 km (43 mi) to Chapultenango (trailhead).Bus or rental car 75 mi (120 km) to Pichucalco, then 43 mi (70 km) to Chapultenango (trailhead).
3–4 h total
Open the page →
From Pichucalco (town)
Taxi or local bus 70 km (43 mi) to Chapultenango, then drive 50 km (31 mi) to the trailhead parking.Taxi or local bus 43 mi (70 km) to Chapultenango, then drive 31 mi (50 km) to the trailhead parking.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chapultenango trailhead | Parking, information board, start of the summit trail. | Open to public; guide optional. |
| Summit and crater lake | Caldera rim, viewpoint, green lake. | Reachable by hiking the 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail.Reachable by hiking the 3.4 mi (5.5 km) trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the volcano summit; trailhead is nearby (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Official fee not published; verify at trailhead (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for solo hikers; not mandatory.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Pichucalco or Chapultenango.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pichucalco hotels
Basic rooms, easy access to the trailhead.
Near the park
Chapultenango guesthouses
Small inns close to parking.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Slippery rocks in wet season high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car; short walk to start.
- Trail includes steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all trash; stay on marked paths.
- Support local accommodations in Pichucalco.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Volcán El Chichón?
There is no published fixed entry fee; some visitors pay a small contribution at the gate (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Volcán El Chichón?
The main summit trail (5.5 km one‑way, 2–3 h up) and the optional loop around the crater lake are the primary routes.
When is the best time to visit Volcán El Chichón?
The dry season, especially February to April, offers firm trails and clear skies.
Do I need a guide for the summit hike?
A guide is not required but recommended for solo hikers or during shoulder months.
Is camping allowed on the volcano?
Camping inside the park is prohibited; stay in nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Volcán El Chichón
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