National park · Guatemala
Pacaya VolcanoVolcán Pacaya
Enter Pacaya Volcano for about Q350 total (entry ~Q150 + guide Q200); hike the main 3.5 km (2.2 mi) trail early in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid crowds and heat.Enter Pacaya Volcano for about Q350 total (entry ~Q150 + guide Q200); hike the main 2.2 mi (3.5 km) trail early in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid crowds and heat.
- 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
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
- Central Highlands ↗Tourist shuttles between Antigua, the airport and Lake Atitlán run by day; they stop in the evening.
- Central Highlands ↗Antigua sits about 1,530 m; Cobán about 1,320 m. Neither usually causes altitude problems, but nights are cool.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Area
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Antigua Guatemala
Pacaya Volcano, an active 2,552 m peak in Guatemala's Central Highlands, offers two moderate 3.5 km trails to the summit, volcanic vents, and panoramic views of the surrounding highlands. Guides are mandatory, and the dry season (Nov–Apr) provides the best conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1970
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Antigua Guatemala.
Why go
- Active volcano with lava fields and steaming vents.
- Two moderate trails to the summit, each about 3.5 km (2.2 mi).Two moderate trails to the summit, each about 2.2 mi (3.5 km).
- Close views of the Central Highlands and nearby Antigua.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, clear skies.
- MarDry, occasional showers.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunRainy, trails muddy.
- JulRainy, possible ash.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctTransition to dry.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (including raptors)All 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance/gate | Ticket office, guide hiring point, parking. | Open daily. |
| Main trail (San Francisco de Sales) | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) out‑and‑back to summit.2.2 mi (3.5 km) out‑and‑back to summit. | Open with guide. |
| Cerro Chino circuit | Alternative return route with different views. | Open with guide. |
Sketch 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 approximate, based on volcano summit location.
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 | GTQ 150 | person | check |
| Guide (mandatory) | GTQ 200 | person | hired at gate |
| Hiking stick | GTQ 100 | person | optional purchase |
| Horseback ride | GTQ 200 | person | optional |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- GTQ 150
- GTQ 200
- GTQ 100
- GTQ 200
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
- Guides
- Mandatory for all hikes beyond the gate.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated area near the entrance; not on the summit trails.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Antigua
Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) away; easy shuttle.Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) away; easy shuttle.
Near the park
Guatemala City
Wide range of accommodation; 45 km (28 mi) away.Wide range of accommodation; 28 mi (45 km) away.
Safety
Unstable volcanic rock medium
Heat and sun low
Ash fall from eruptions medium
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
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks on firm ground.
- Trails are steep, rocky, and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides; fees support park management.
- Do not collect rocks or volcanic ash.
- Carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pacaya Volcano?
Entry is about Q150 per person; a mandatory guide costs Q200, so budget roughly Q350 total (plus optional extras).
What are the best hikes in Pacaya Volcano?
The main 3.5 km trail to the summit via San Francisco de Sales and the alternative Cerro Chino circuit are both moderate and offer the best views.
When is the best time to visit Pacaya Volcano?
The dry season (Nov–Apr) is optimal; trails are clear and mornings are cool. May–Oct can be rainy and muddy.
Do I need a guide?
Yes, a guide is mandatory for any hike beyond the gate.
Can I camp on Pacaya?
Camping is allowed only in the designated area near the entrance; not on the summit trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Pacaya Volcano
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