National park · Mexico
Volcán Tacaná
Enter Volcán Tacaná for a day hike: pay MXN 30‑50 at Talquien gate, start early, aim for summit in 10 h; best in dry season Dec–Apr, avoid rainy summer.
- Source checked
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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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
64 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (64 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 64 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (64 km²)
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covers 6,378 ha (≈63.8 km²).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Tapachula
Volcán Tacaná is a 4,060 m active stratovolcano on the Mexico‑Guatemala border, offering challenging summit treks, cloud‑forest wildlife and UNESCO Biosphere protection.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2000Volcán Tacaná Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
64 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (64 km²) · national park since 2000
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covers 6,378 ha (≈63.8 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tapachula.
Why go
- Summit trek on a 4,060 m active stratovolcano with panoramic views of Chiapas and Guatemala.
- Explore cloud forest, endemic orchids and protected bird species.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear skies.
- FebDry, cool mornings.
- MarDry, stable weather.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayFirst rains, trail mud.
- JunRainy, clouds.
- JulFrequent storms.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, possible landslides.
- OctTransition to dry, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ornate Hawk‑EagleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic orchids and bromeliadsMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
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 Tapachula (Mexico)
Drive 40 km (25 mi) to Union Juárez, then 10 km (6.2 mi) on gravel to Talquien; park at Parador Talquien.Drive 25 mi (40 km) to Union Juárez, then 6.2 mi (10 km) on gravel to Talquien; park at Parador Talquien.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Mexico)
Bus to Union Juárez, then same route to Talquien.
4–5 h
From Sabinal (Guatemala)
Chicken bus to Sabinal, then hire 4×4 to Hacienditas parking.
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Talquien entrance | Gate, visitor office, trailhead to summit. | Open with entry fee. |
| Hacienditas parking (Guatemala side) | Trailhead for western approach, camping area. | Pay local fee. |
| Casa Yolanda | Basic shelter and camping facilities. | Open to hikers; fee applies. |
Sketch map
- 1Talquien gate · Gate≈15.070, -92.080Main entrance on the Mexican side, park office and trailhead.Map ↗
- 2Summit (Volcán Tacaná) · Viewpoint≈15.080, -92.1004,060 m altitude, panoramic views of Chiapas and Guatemala.Map ↗
- 3Casa Yolanda · Village≈15.070, -92.090Basic shelter and camping facilities on the Mexican side.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 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 approximate centre of the park.
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 (Talquien gate) | MXN 30–50 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Check exact amount at gate. |
| Camping at Casa Yolanda | MXN 200–300 (≈ US$11–17) | person | Includes basic shelter. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Summit hike no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$30–50≈ US$2–3
- MX$200–300≈ US$11–17
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Fires
- Not allowed outside designated shelters.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas (Casa Yolanda, Hacienditas).
- Guides
- Recommended for summit; required for off‑trail routes.
- Pets
- Not permitted in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Talquien village
Basic guesthouses and hostels.
In the park
Casa Yolanda
Simple shelter with bunkbeds.
Safety
Altitude and cold medium
Rapid weather change high
Navigation difficulty 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
- No wheelchair access; steep, uneven trails.
- Trailheads reachable by 4×4 vehicle only.
Visiting lightly
- Use established camps only; pack out all waste.
- Support local guides and community‑run lodging.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Volcán Tacaná?
Entry fee at Talquien gate is about MXN 30‑50 per person; exact price is posted at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Volcán Tacaná?
The main summit trail from Talquien (≈10 h round‑trip) is the classic route; shorter side‑trail to the Hacienditas parking area offers a 4‑hour hike to a secondary viewpoint.
When is the best time to visit Volcán Tacaná?
Dry season December to April offers clear skies and stable trails; May‑October brings rain and mud, making the ascent more difficult.
Do I need a guide to hike the summit?
A guide is not mandatory but strongly recommended for safety, especially for first‑time climbers.
Are there facilities for camping?
Yes, basic shelters at Casa Yolanda (Mexican side) and at Plan de Ardillas on the Guatemalan side; fees apply.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Volcán Tacaná
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