HIKING VOLCAN ACATENANGO, GUATEMALA
Hiking Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala has been one of the biggest challenges in my life and one of the most rewarding experiences to date. One day, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I saw an Instagram friend exploring Guatemala. I knew nothing about the country, but I was intrigued.
She was posting pictures of a volcano erupting right in front of her eyes. That’s when I knew it. I had to visit one day to experience this.
Volcan Acatenango is Guatemala’s third-highest volcano, standing at 3,976 m above sea level. It’s only an hour away from the city of Antigua. Hiking to its summit to camp is one of the most adventurous activities in the area. Don’t worry. It’s dormant, and its last eruption was in 1972.
Why do visitors want to hike Acatenango? One reason: to see the highly active Volcan Fuego that sits across from Acatenango erupt lava at night. Even though it constantly has small eruptions and hikers can camp, the last huge eruption that caused severe damage and deaths was not long ago. Then, in June of 2018, the eruption made international news.
Somehow, even knowing this, my crazy self still wanted to see it. I was traveling through southern Mexico and decided to do a land crossing into Guatemala. First, I visited Lake Atitlan and then went to Antigua, where I based myself before hiking. I couldn’t wait to see lava erupting before me.
I can tell you today that hiking Volcan Acatenango was one of the most extraordinary experiences that I hope you can have.
Table of Contents
Preparing to Hike Volcan Acatenango
Hiking Volcan Acatenango is no joke! For me, it was incredibly tough. Mainly, it was tough because the volcano sits at 3,976 meters above sea level ( 13,044 ft). So, my first recommendation is to spend a couple or more days acclimating to the altitude in Antigua. It will help.
The first hour is the toughest, so once you get through it, you should be fine. You need to have a positive mindset on this hike! It’s an 18 km (11 mi) roundtrip hike, but you’ve got this!
I also recommend having some fitness level before visiting, because to be honest, it is hard. You don’t necessarily need to train, but you must be okay with walking long distances and have some sort of fitness level. The hike is long, and the incline almost the whole way up feels like it’s at about 75%, and some parts feel like more. You gain 1,500m (4,921 ft) in just one day. It’s no wonder you run a risk of altitude sickness.
Also, be prepared to carry weight on your back, making it a little more challenging going up. There are, however, porters that can take your backpack for an extra 200 Quetzales (about $25). At the first stop, there are horses, but I don’t recommend animal tourism, so please try your best to hike instead.
Picking a Tour Company
There are only a handful of tour companies that go to Volcan Acatenango. Most of them offer similar things, but the company I used is the most talked about among backpackers. So I decided to go with Wicho & Charlie’s. They are the only tour company that uses cabins instead of tents. This post is not sponsored. I simply was delighted with their service.
The guides that took us were very helpful, encouraging, and friendly. They are also bilingual, are ready for any emergencies, and they even cooked for us.
The all-included $65 tour is a 2-day hike which takes about 4 to 5 hours up and 2 hours down. It includes three meals, snacks, camping gear, accommodation in cabins, guides, and transportation. This does not include the 50Q ($6.48) for the entrance fee.
You can rent hiking gear from them, which is convenient, especially for those who don’t travel with warm clothes in their backpack.
I rented a few things from them and only paid 50 Quetzales (about $7). I rented hiking poles, a water bottle, gloves, a sweater, a jacket, and a backpack rain cover for that price. However, you can even rent a backpack, socks, headlamp, and more. In addition, there is a storage room to leave your belongings if you need to.
The tour includes three plant-based meals. For lunch, you get a soy protein bowl with rice and beans. Dinner is lentil curry with rice. Breakfast the following day is oatmeal with banana.
Aside from that, before leaving on the hike, they have coffee, bread, and fruit at the office. At the campsite, they serve hot chocolate and coffee. Plus, they include snacks such as bananas, two granola bars, apples, and peanuts.
The campsite has cabins, sleeping bags, covers, a pillow, and sleeping mats. There are also camping chairs, a large tent for the group to eat dinner inside of, and more.
The only thing there isn’t is a bathroom. You’ll need to take your toilet paper, go in the woods, and then dispose of it properly. Take care of the environment and never leave paper behind!
Some tour companies don’t provide a lot of food, others make you carry a tent, some go for only a day, others don’t hike to Fuego, and others are more expensive but provide everything. So make sure you ask questions before booking.
Before Hiking Volcan Acatenango
Try your best to get sleep the day before. You will need all your energy on the day of the hike. Just make sure you go for snacks and water, so you don’t have to do it on the morning of the hike. That morning, my friend Nicola and I walked 10 minutes from our hostel to the tour office. We had to be there by 8 am. We left with the clothes we would be wearing. Once at the tour office, they had coffee, bread, fruit, and snacks for breakfast.
While people ate breakfast, we went into the shop to rent our gear. They have everything you can think of. Backpacks, hiking boots, hiking sticks, beanies, scarves, sweaters, gloves, water bottles, snacks, and really, everything! This is helpful for those who don’t travel with much.
It wasn’t too cold in Antigua, and it wouldn’t be until later on the hike. So I had to pack all my jackets and fit them into my backpack. The tour people also gave us a paper lunch bag filled with food. I could barely fit it in my backpack.
Getting to Volcan Acatenango
At 9 am, once everyone was ready, we all got on a shuttle van that took us to the volcano. The ride was about an hour to the trailhead. When we arrived at the base of Acatenango, there was a spot where the van stopped, and a lady was at a table renting wooden hiking sticks, liquor, water, and a few snacks.
The guides gave us a short talk about our hike and what to expect. There would be three guides walking with our group. One would be walking ahead with the fast people, one in the middle, and then the one at the end with the slow people, a.k.a, me!
The tour to Volcan Acatenango is three hikes. The first one is the main one that everyone does, getting to base camp. The second hike is extra cost and goes to Volcan Fuego that sits in front of Volcan Acatenango. The third hike is the following day at 4 am. It’s the hike to the summit of Acatenango. It is the steepest, the shortest, and maybe most challenging for some. I will share more about each hike below.
Hiking Volcan Acatenango
Hiking to the Summit of Volcan Acatenango
As soon as we began walking around 10:15 am, I felt the incline despite it looking flat. Then, about 20 minutes into it, what felt like a million stairs began. I kept thinking to myself, “What the heck did I get myself into?” “Why do I do this to myself ?” But I also kept telling myself, “Relax. You’re fine. Just breathe.”
It was a battle in my head the whole way up the mountain. I was struggling more than I wanted to actually. Part of me thought I couldn’t do it, but then I’d remind myself I’m not a quitter, and I pushed through. It was all a mind game.
For me, it wasn’t about the walking or the weight on my backpack or the steepness. I was having trouble breathing. I felt I couldn’t take in all the air I usually breathe. It brought back memories of when I was struggling with Covid and had shortness of breath. It wasn’t as bad, but it was the closest I have felt to that moment.
The nearly 4,000m (13,123 ft) did affect me. My heart was beating hard, and my breathing was terrible. Plus. It was so steep. Walking slow, drinking water, snacks, and chocolate didn’t help much against what I felt.
Thankfully, I wasn’t alone on this. I had met some friends on the road that hiked with me. Like me, they also struggled, so we gave each other the emotional support to hike this strenuous volcano. We were pretty much at the end of the trail the whole time with the slow group. Another two friends did terrifically and were at the front.
I hated knowing I was one of the last because I’m a bit competitive. But I also had to accept and remind myself that it was okay to be last and that there was no shame in that. I wasn’t used to that elevation, and that’s fine.
Something great to mention is that our guides were wonderful. They checked in on people and never left any of anyone behind. They struck up a conversation and even offered to help us carry our backpacks when we were close to taking a break.
We took two 10-minute breaks along the way, and one of them included the stop to paying a 50Q entrance fee. Unfortunately, they only accept cash, so make sure to bring that.
Lunch at Volcan Acatenango
After my exaggerated count of a million stairs, we kept walking through a steep path. Finally, about two and a half hours into our hike, we took a break to eat at around 11:30 am. Others from the group had already arrived 20 minutes earlier, so they got a longer break for lunch. We, however, had about 30 minutes to rest and eat.
The lunch was great! I was impressed with how much they packed into our lunch bags. We had a small reusable rice container, and I’m not sure what the rice was mixed with, but it was good. First, I ate one of my pieces of bread and another banana. Then, on an earlier 10-minute break, I ate my chocolate bar and the other piece of bread I had. I was trying to fill up with energy and anything to help me get through this hike.
Hike to Volcan Acatenango Continued
Despite how much I hated my struggle to walk, I loved the beauty of the path. We walked through 3 ecosystems that day.
At 1,500-2,700 meters, we passed through an Oak Forest ecosystem. Then, at 2,500-3,400m, we passed through a Cloud Forest ecosystem. Finally, the last 1,000 meters are Pine & Sub-Alpine Forest.
The beauty of the trail and mountains is what kept me motivated to keep going. Also, the climate felt different. Once we were closer to the top, I had to add a layer to keep warm.
We took another two breaks. On that second break, the guides told us we had about 30 minutes of “Guatemala Flat Terrain.” What they truly meant is that the terrain was flat but still at some incline and tiring.
I was so happy when we arrived at that terrain. It wasn’t too bad, and it was a break to my legs from all the steepness it had just climbed. This part of the trail got colder, and I added yet another layer of clothing.
Finally, after about four and a half hours (around 2 pm), we arrived. It was so gratifying to take off my backpack, put the sticks aside and sit down. I was so proud of my friends and me that we made it.
Arriving at Base Camp in Volcan Acatenango
As happy as we were to make it, we were also a bit worried. There was a lot of fog. So we couldn’t see anything but the trees and tent around us. There was no sight of the volcano.
It was the rainy season, and we chose the one day it was supposed to be sunny with no rain. Luckily, the weather forecast was correct. It was sunny, and we did have no rain. However, our base camp had a lot of fog.
We sat on some chairs, crossing our fingers the fog would leave. Meanwhile, the guides prepared a fire and brought hot chocolate as we all sat around getting to know each other. It was a great time, and I could feel how happy everyone was to have arrived. We put on music and enjoyed our time with each other.
At moments, the fog would clear a bit, and we would all start saying, “It’s clearing, it’s clearing!” We would grab our cameras and phones to take a picture of Volcan Fuego hiding within the clouds in from of us, and nope. Nothing. The fog tricked us. It didn’t uncover the volcano.
However, the fog did clear after a while, and we finally saw Volcan Fuego in front of us. It looked so close! The best part was the moment it erupted for the first time in front of us. We started screaming with excitement. We couldn’t believe what our eyes were seeing.
A volcano so close to us was spitting out smoke and ash from its crater! At that moment, every drop of sweat, every moment wanting to give up, every painful step became worth it. It immediately became one of the top moments and experiences of my life. I was in awe. I was speechless. All I could think was how blessed I was for this opportunity to see something so majestic before my own eyes. I felt blessed for a life of traveling. It was a special moment.
Once the fog was clear, we were able to witness Volcan Fuego erupt, sometimes every five minutes and sometimes every 10 or 20 minutes. Every single time, we had the same amount of excitement.
When the sky was a little darker, but there was still light, we experienced seeing the red lava spit out. The level of excitement was like we had just seen it for the first time.
Hiking Volcan Fuego: Hike 2
Even though I didn’t do the hike, two people from our group did. They told us about their experience.
First of all, hiking this volcano means you are less than 500 m away from it (1,640 ft). It’s more demanding because you hike an additional 1.5 hours to get there and 2 hours to come back before dinner at around 7:30 pm. Therefore, hikers leave at 4:30 pm and arrive late for dinner.
So you only get a small break at Acatenango before setting off to hike again. I’ve seen pictures of the hike, and it looks like a fantastic experience. However, it’s tough. You walk back down Acatenango on another route, only to go back uphill, but this time to Volcan Fuego. I can’t imagine how tiring that is after hiking all morning.
After the first hour of hiking Acatenango itself, I knew I didn’t want to do the second hike. I didn’t feel mentally or physically prepared. So I didn’t feel bad when I realized almost no one else was either.
Because there was so much fog, the guides canceled the hike anyway. So there was no point in going. However, because it cleared at night, two people from our group wanted to go. So around 8 pm, the guide took them, but it didn’t go well.
The next day they told us it was so windy on their hike that the two of them, along with the guide, had to hold hands and some moments crawl on the path because the wind was so strong it was taking them. Finally, it got so bad to a point they had to head back to base camp.
They were not able to make nor see the volcano erupt lava up close. Plus, they did this all in the dark. Remember, the weather is unpredictable and can change at any moment, especially during the rainy season.
Dinner at Volcan Acatenango
For dinner at 7:30 pm, there is a large tent we all went into that has a long dinner table. The guides served us a delicious vegan meal of rice and lentils. They even gave seconds to those who asked. I was impressed by how well they fed us. The guides were excellent and also having conversations with us. It was like making new friends.
Then, all of a sudden, as we were eating, we heard a thunderous noise coming from Volcan Fuego. It erupted with lots of force, and we all ran out of the tent, leaving our food behind. There were rivers of lava running down the sides and spitting out of the crater. It was the most spectacular thing ever.
I tried pulling out my camera to take a picture, but I was late. The amount of lava flowing right in front of my eyes was something I had never seen before. We were in awe, mesmerized, and excited. Although it kept erupting all night, we didn’t see it explode with that force again. We sat around until around nine, freezing, waiting for another huge eruption, but we had no luck. The eruptions were small.
So, instead, we went to sleep because we had an early morning hike waiting for us.
Sleeping at Volcan Acatenango
As I mentioned earlier, we had cabins. Most of them sleep 8-10 people, although there are ones for couples. We chose our bed upon arrival.
My cabin had eight thin mattresses lying on the floor. Each bed came with a pillow, sheets, and cover. We knew it was going to be cold, so we all slept in our warm clothes. But, unfortunately, I got the bed next to the door. Underneath, there was a small slit where some air was sneaking in through, and I could feel it when I was trying to fall asleep.
When we were trying to sleep, an eruption was so loud we got up excitedly to see. Finally, however, we decided not to get up anymore, or else we’d be up all night.
I struggled for a while because I was shivering. Eventually, my body relaxed, it felt warmer, and I fell asleep. At one point in the night, there was an eruption so enormous I felt the floor shake a bit, and it woke me up. I didn’t get up to see, but I knew that it was a big one, and it must have had a lot of lava flowing down.
If you are sensitive to sleep, the roar of the volcano eruptions and the cold might wake you up. But if you are a good sleeper, you should be fine. Plus, it depends on how active the volcano is that night.
Hiking to the Summit of Volcan Acatenango
We woke up to the dreadful sound of our phone alarms which we had set to ring a little bit earlier than our hike because we wanted to sit and watch Volcan Fuego erupting lava. We didn’t get too many good eruptions, but by 4:30 am, we headed up the trail. It would be one and a half hour hike up to the summit to catch the sunrise.
You can choose to skip this hike to sleep in or feel you can’t make it. However, I recommend you do it.
This time, the guides told us to wear all our layers because it would be freezing. So, I wore everything I had with me and ended up with six layers of clothing on me. I had two shirts, two sweaters, two jackets, two pairs of pants, gloves, a beanie, and a scarf.
I decided I didn’t want to take anything with me. No water, no backpack. This would help me hike better. So I only took my camera wrapped around my neck and inside my jacket. I was protecting it from the cold. The girl I talked about at the beginning, her electronics failed her because of the cold. So I knew to put them away.
I also took my phone and stuck it inside the inner jacket I had on. Then, finally, I put on my gloves, grabbed my hiking sticks, and off we went.
Surprisingly, I did much better on this hike, while most people mentioned they were struggling more. I don’t know what it was, but perhaps I woke up with more energy or more excitement, but I was doing okay. I felt a million times better than the day before. Of course, having no weight on me also helped out a lot.
The walk was a lot steeper, and the tiny trail was loose dirt. It was like walking a sand dune. Our feet kept sliding, and the hiking sticks were the only thing helping us climb. Plus, we were doing this in the dark with just our headlamps lighting the way.
Despite it being easier for me, I needed many breaks to breathe. I was feeling the effects of the altitude. Plus, the trail was dark. I had my headlamp on red to avoid bugs flying into my face because of the light.
As I mentioned, I wasn’t doing too bad this time. I now realize it was because I had no visual of the path and how steep it was. I wasn’t battling my mind the way I was the day before. Thinking back on that moment, it’s crazy to me how our minds can control how well we do.
I know I did better because I wasn’t aware of how hard it was, nor could I see too far ahead. Simply, I was taking it one step at a time.
Once we were a few minutes from the summit, there was now some daylight, and I had a view of the steep hill we were about to climb. It was so steep, and at an angle I had never climbed before in my life. I was wondering how the hell I was going to get to the top. Thoughts that I could slip and roll down the hill came to my mind. But, I continued. I was almost there.
It did look like a 90% angle, but I feel I don’t exaggerate when I say it was at least 80%. I carefully calculated every step I took and stuck my hiking stick first for safety.
I followed a trail of what looked like a pitch of where water runs when it rains. That part took about 20 minutes up.
Arriving at the Summit of Volcan Acatenango
Finally, I took that last step up, and a gust of air pushed my body. It was extremely windy at the summit. I instantly felt cold. So cold I couldn’t move. I started shivering uncontrollably, and the wind wasn’t helping. It was so strong and so cold. From the top, I had a view of the crater, plus another eight volcanoes all around.
It was a spectacular view, but to be honest, I struggled to enjoy it because it was freezing. I couldn’t move, nor pull out my camera, nor smile. It almost felt like the coldest I’ve ever been. So I was glad it didn’t do this hike during the dry season when it’s even colder!
Despite the cold, I admired the magical view. I had eight other stratovolcanoes on the horizon in front of me. It was a stunning sight.
I slowly walked the summit as I felt my nose get red and my face go numb. There were some spots where the air didn’t hit as hard, and I’d stop for moments to “warm” up a bit.
I pulled out my camera around my neck maybe twice, took a few pictures, and quickly put it away. My hands could not take it. I need my one glove back on the hand that was taking the photos.
Instead, I stood around and admired the beautiful sunrise and all the volcanoes. Then, I faced the sun in hopes that it would warm my face.
Out of nowhere, my friend Nicola finds me, and I see her wrapped in a blanket. It was a funny sight, but very smart of her. She pulled out her camera and told me to pose. I was thankful for this because I had no desire to pull mine out. So I took a couple of pictures of her and her of me.
Hiking Back Down the Summit of Volcan Acatenango
Freezing, I started to head back to the trail. The guides were already asking us to return so we could have breakfast by 7 am. But, let me tell you, I had the most fun going down the volcano! First, I had to go down the 80% descent. On that part, I was cautious with every step. I didn’t want to slip and roll down the volcano.
Remember the loose dirt and what felt like a sand dune going up? Let me tell you, it was just that, and it was a breeze and so fun going down. I practically ran down the hill. The soil was like sand but black. No wonder it was hard going up!
I fell a couple of times on my butt while running, but it was the funniest thing. It was a soft landing, and I’d get right back up. More than running, it was skiing my way down with the hiking poles. I was laughing the whole time all by myself, like a child. Within about 30 minutes, I was back at the bottom, where coffee and breakfast were waiting for us.
Breakfast at Volcan Acatenango
Our lunch bags had oatmeal in them. I gave my oatmeal to a guide, he served it with hot water, and I added fruit they put on the table. The guides also gave us coffee, and it was the perfect way to start the hike back.
Once we ate, we sat around the chairs to watch Volcan Fuego. Once again, each time, we were equally excited. By around 8:00, we were helping pick up all the chairs, packed up, and headed towards the trail.
Hiking Back Down Volcan Acatenango
Our hiking adventure was coming to an end, but this time it was ten times easier. Don’t be fooled. Some of us kept slipping on the way down because we didn’t have the proper shoes. My regular Nike’s did their job going up. But going down was a whole other story.
My shoes didn’t have enough traction and support. At that moment, I realized hiking boots would have helped. Even then, some people with hiking boots were slipping too. The incline was tough on the knees, so definitely wear a brace if you have knee issues.
This is where the hiking poles came in handy. They saved me quite a few times from falling on my face on hard dirt.
The good part about going down was breathing was much easier. We weren’t as tired nor out of breath. However, the trail felt never-ending. I was so happy when we finally made it to the exit at about 10 am. It was an immense sense of accomplishment from two hard days of hiking!
At the bottom, our guides were cheering us on as we arrived and high-fived us. Please make sure to tip them for how amazing they are! They deserve it.
Filthy and exhausted, we made it back in one piece! My butt, hips, knees, and calves were all on fire! I was ready to sit on the shuttle back to Antigua.
We rested a few minutes and then left back to the city on the vans the tour provides. We were back at the agency around 11:30 am. My friend and I returned all our rental equipment and headed back to our hostel.
Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The biggest challenge for many will be the elevation. Altitude sickness is a real thing. For me, my only struggle was my breathing. For others in the group, it was worse. Some had light headaches, and others had throbbing headaches. We even had one girl from another cabin throwing up all night. As a result, she couldn’t do the summit hike because she had to rest to feel better.
Altitude sickness, formally known as acute mountain sickness, is basically when our body doesn’t do well with low pressure and a low-oxygen environment. It typically causes shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, problems sleeping, and more. It’s usually compared to a hangover. When our bodies don’t have enough time to adjust to this low pressure, we struggle for oxygen. It’s even worse to climb elevation too quickly.
To help prevent altitude sickness, the first step is to acclimate to the elevation. Spend two or three days in the city before attempting the hike. You’ll want to drink more water than usual because high altitudes have less humidity. Also, eat more carbohydrates such as bananas. The carbs will give you the energy you need. My advice is that you also avoid alcohol because it dehydrates.
Another tip is to walk slowly. The faster you go, the quicker you will get symptoms of altitude sickness.
In places like Peru and Bogota, Colombia, drinking Coca Tea is very popular to help with altitude sickness. But I didn’t see the option of drinking it in Antigua.
Please make sure to ask a doctor if you have any concerns before hiking. Sometimes, altitude sickness can be horrible and, in some cases, causes death. If you throw up or get worse symptoms, the best thing is to rest and go back down the mountain.
What to Take for Hiking Volcan Acatenango
- Hiking Backpack- Take one big enough to carry snacks, water, food, clothes, and cameras. I used my regular travel Osprey 40L backpack and left some stuff behind at the hostel. It ended up weighing 15 kilos. That was a lot!
- Hiking Boots- Sneakers will work just fine on the way up. But you will wish to have worn boots when you descend. Trust me on this!
- Layers of Warm Clothes– You will need to stay warm, especially if you go to the summit. Take jackets, sweaters, wear a double shirt. You can take an extra set of clothes or hike down in the same thing the next day. However, another set of underwear and socks is a good idea. Don’t forget gloves, a scarf, and a beanie.
- Hiking Poles- Please DO NOT skip the hiking poles. I know they can be annoying, but this is the one place where they will be beneficial. Trust me on this.
- Four liters of water– You will give one liter to the guides for cooking meals, and the other three will be for two days of hiking. One of those drinks was a Gatorade for electrolytes.
- Food and Snacks- Our tour gave us a lot, but you can pack extra. I took some chocolate bars, candies, chips, energy bars, and fruit.
- Power Bank- You will most likely take lots of pictures. You might need this to charge your phone.
- Headlamp– Rent one from the tour company if you plan to hike Fuego or to the summit of Acatenango. You don’t want to hike in the dark.
- Waterproof Backpack Covers– You can rent it from the tour company, but if you have one, take it in case it rains.
- Sunglasses and Hat- We got a sunny day, and having these was helpful.
- Cash- You will need 50Q ($6.48) to pay an entrance fee at the volcano. Also, I highly suggest you tip the guides. They truly deserve it.
- Quezalteca– This is an aguardiente liquor popular in Guatemala. Hikes take some to celebrate arriving at base camp. You can buy it before or at the trailhead of the volcano.
Best Time for Hiking Volcan Acatenango
The weather plays a significant role in having a great experience while hiking Volcan Acatenango. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April. It’s a better chance for clear days and fewer chances of rain. However, it is much colder, with January and February going below 0 degrees. You will also need more layers to stay warm.
The rainy season is from May to October. The weather is much warmer, but you run the risk of having rainy days and cloudy skies. You will need to take extra clothes in case you get caught in the rain and a cover for your backpack. Another risk is not seeing Volcan Fuego at all because of the fog.
I visited in June. Fortunately, the two days I hiked were the only sunny days that week, and I got the most fantastic weather. I walked without a jacket on the lower part of the volcano. We got fog at base camp, but thankfully it cleared out.
The days before, some people we met hiked in the rain, and the trail was muddy. We heard stories of some not seeing the volcano. One friend of mine went in August, and she didn’t see the volcano at all.
Is it Dangerous?
Here’s the thing, I can’t say I was afraid or thought it was dangerous. However, I believe there are dangers to be aware of. First of all, Fuego is an active volcano that caused significant damage in 2018. So yes, you run a risk that it can happen again. It’s unpredictable, and you must be aware it can happen.
Secondly, hikers who try to go at alone run a bigger risk. Some have gotten lost, others have died of hypothermia. It gets really cold, and there are various trails. It’s best to go on a tour that will guide you.
Thirdly, the elevation is a problem. Altitude sickness can cause you to get sick, and people can even die from it. I am not scaring you. I’m pretty sure over 99% of you won’t die from it, but many of you will experience symptoms. It’s a risk to take. If you’re on a tour, guides are trained to give you emergency care. You will most likely be fine.
Lastly, there have been reported violent crimes. They aren’t that common, but it has happened. Your best bet is to go with a tour group. There is less of a risk of something happening to you.
Where to Stay in Antigua
There are so many options for places to stay in Antigua, and they have different price ranges. If you like hostels, I recommend staying at Maya Papaya. It has a great atmosphere, it’s clean, and it has a great location. They have private rooms if you need one, but make sure to book ahead.
Two other hostels I heard backpackers talk about were Selina and Tropicana Hostel.
How to Get There
Getting to Antigua depends on where you are in the country. I was in Lake Atitlan, at Panajachel. From there, it’s a two and a half or 3-hour shuttle ride. The approximate price from Panajachel will be about 40 Quetzales ($5).
If you fly into the country, you will most likely arrive in Guatemala City. It’s only an hour’s drive or less. You can even take an Uber ride for a low price. A shuttle can cost you about $19. An Uber ride will have a similar price. I took an Uber ride from Antigua to Guatemala City before flying out of the country.
Flying above Guatemala city is one of the coolest views I’ve had from an airplane window. I could see all the volcanoes from the area and even saw Fuego erupting.
Overall Thoughts About Hiking Volcan Acatenango
Most of it will be mentally challenging, while a smaller percentage will be a physical challenge. There will be many moments you will wish you hadn’t started. You will want to go back. But once you get through the first hour, you will be okay. It will still be hard, but you can do it.
It is rewarding. Not many people get the opportunity to watch lava erupt while drinking coffee and having dinner around a campfire. That is special. It was the best activity I did in Guatemala, and many people I met said the same thing.
It’s definitely worth the pain, the time, the money, all of it. But don’t let the fear of hiking stop you. I was extremely nervous the day before. Everyone I met in Guatemala who hiked it kept telling me how hard it was. Thoughts crossed my mind to cancel my plans of walking it. But I’m glad I didn’t listen to those voices.
As I said, it’s all about the mind. You can do it! Experience this amazing moment yourself!
What to Take for Hiking Volcan Acatenango
- Hiking Backpack– Take one big enough to carry snacks, water, food, clothes, and cameras. I used my regular travel Osprey 40L backpack and left some stuff behind at the hostel. It ended up weighing 15 kilos. That was a lot!
- Hiking Boots– Sneakers will work just fine on the way up. But you will wish to have worn boots when you descend. Trust me on this!
- Layers of Warm Clothes– You will need to stay warm, especially if you go to the summit. Take jackets, sweaters, wear a double shirt. You can take an extra set of clothes or hike down in the same thing the next day. However, another set of underwear and socks is a good idea. Don’t forget gloves, a scarf, and a beanie.
- Hiking Poles– Please DO NOT skip the hiking poles. I know they can be annoying, but this is the one place where they will be beneficial. Trust me on this.
- Four liters of water– You will give one liter to the guides for cooking meals, and the other three will be for two days of hiking. One of those drinks was a Gatorade for electrolytes.
- Food and Snacks- Our tour gave us a lot, but you can pack extra. I took some chocolate bars, candies, chips, energy bars, and fruit.
- Power Bank– You will most likely take lots of pictures. You might need this to charge your phone.
- Drone– The photographs and videos that you can take with a drone will be unique, achieving a complete image of the volcanoes and the landscape
- Headlamp– Rent one from the tour company if you plan to hike Fuego or to the summit of Acatenango. You don’t want to hike in the dark.
- Waterproof Backpack Covers– You can rent it from the tour company, but if you have one, take it in case it rains.
- Sunglasses and Hat- We got a sunny day, and having these was helpful.
- Cash- You will need 50Q ($6.48) to pay an entrance fee at the volcano. Also, I highly suggest you tip the guides. They truly deserve it.
- Quezalteca– This is an aguardiente liquor popular in Guatemala. Hikes take some to celebrate arriving at base camp. You can buy it before or at the trailhead of the volcano.
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
