Trip to Pacaya Volcano and Hot Springs in Guatemala

Guatemala is known for its many towering volcanoes, some active and some dormant. This country is located in a region that has suffered strong earthquakes throughout its history. A trip to a volcano in this country, especially an active volcano, is a special and impressive experience.

Southwest of Guatemala City are several high and impressive volcanoes that on a clear day can be easily seen from Guatemala City.

I recommend a trip to the active Pacaya Volcano.

 

 

♦  Viator - Airport Transfer to Antigua:
Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala

 

The most successful starting point for this trip is the city of Antigua, which was the ancient capital of Guatemala. Today it is a touristy city full of attractions and a large selection of accommodations.

♦ Guided tours in Pacaya from Antigua (to book via Viator):

Recommended Hotels in Antigua

Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo

The only five-star hotel in all of Guatemala. Located about a ten-minute walk from the old city center in an ancient, unique building with plenty of character and atmosphere.

The hotel, which spans a large area, features a swimming pool, gym, spa, a prestigious and successful restaurant, charming gardens, and several museums and galleries. Free internet and parking.

 

Villa Colonial

A 4-star hotel 1.8 km from the old city center. The rooms are large and spacious.

Designed in a colonial style, the hotel features a swimming pool, restaurant, and gardens. Free internet and parking for hotel guests.

Meson Panza Verde

A 4-star hotel in classic European construction style with landscaped gardens, an art gallery, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city. Located a short walking distance from Antigua's central square.

Elegant rooms with a fireplace and seating area. Some rooms have a jacuzzi. High-quality restaurant on site. Free internet and parking.

Hotel Mesón de María

A 3-star hotel in the heart of the old city (200 meters from the central square). Colonial design with an interior courtyard and gardens. Free internet and parking.  

Video about a trip to Antigua:

 

Trip to the Active Pacaya Volcano

It is best to reach the volcano by private transport with a personal guide, and for your entire trip to Guatemala I would recommend a private tour with a dedicated guide and an off-road vehicle, because some roads are rough or unpaved with many bumps, and when it rains the road gets even worse, so it is best for the driver to be a local.

Near the volcano at its bottom, where the road ends, a fairly steep hiking trail begins, climbing up to the volcano to a spot where you can clearly see its peak and crater, as well as all the lava that flowed from it in recent eruptions. Those in good physical shape are welcome to hike up on foot, but those interested can also rent one of the many horses available along with a local guide who accompanies the horse on foot all the way up.

 

 

It is recommended to ride a horse up and walk down along a different, scenic route.

During the horseback ascent, several stops are made for scenic views of a lake in a lower crater of the volcano, the nearby town of San Vicente de Pacaya, which is the largest in the area, and the plant that generates electricity from volcanic steam.

 

 

You climb up to an altitude of about 2,000 meters, not all the way to the peak whose height is 2,550 meters, which you are not allowed to reach. At the highest point accessible by horses, there is an impressive view of the smoking peak, which occasionally makes explosive sounds, as well as a view of the lake and the town.

 

 

 

We part ways with the horses and descend on foot via a different route through black lava trails from the last eruption of 2014.

 

 

Occasionally you see steam rising from the ground near the path. Our guide prepared marshmallows for us, roasted in a smoking, hot hole in the ground along the way.

 

 

 

The scenery is impressive and the walking is not difficult. Near the basalt fields, you reach a shop selling handicrafts based on lava stones combined with other materials.

♦ Booking a trip to Pacaya from Guatemala City (via Viator):

Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Guatemala City

 

Short video about the trip to Pacaya Volcano:

 

We continue descending down the mountain to the parking lot, meeting free-roaming cows along the way, plenty of dogs, and of course fellow travelers going up on foot or on horseback.

 

 

Refreshing Bath in Hot Springs

After this trip, it is recommended to refresh in the pools of a spa hotel called Santa Teresita, located a short drive of about a quarter of an hour away. The pools of this hotel are based on natural hot spring water from the volcano. There are hot pools at various temperatures in addition to regular pools, a water slide, and a spa. You can purchase various packages for different times and rates. The most basic package includes an hour in the hot springs, a 10-minute back massage, unlimited use of all pools on site, a refreshing drink, a robe and towel for rent, water, a snack, and a gift bag. Recommended!

 

 

 

In the hot pools there is a woman who measures the times and tells you when to enter and exit each pool. The water temperature ranges between 41 and 24 degrees Celsius. The experience is very successful and relaxing, and the massage at the end is also professional and enjoyable. The place also has a good restaurant with large, successful dishes.  

The spa hotel is located a few minutes' drive from Lake Amatitlán, whose waters are not suitable for swimming, but around it are plenty of stalls, restaurants, and clubs that are fun to wander among on foot.

 

 

 

Guatemala Map

 

 

Articles about Guatemala on our site: Trip to Antigua  |   Trip to Pacaya Volcano and Hot Springs  |  Trip to Lake Atitlán and Surroundings |  Semuc Champey Waterfalls and Caves |  Trip to the Ixil Triangle |  Trip to Rio Dulce and Cruise to Livingston  |  Trip to Quirigua Ruins