Guatemala · HIKING & TREKKING
15 reviewed
Guatemala is volcanoes, ridges and cloud forest, and the good walking starts an hour from anywhere you sleep. These 15 hikes run from a two-hour scramble on Pacaya to the overnight camp on Acatenango and the long ridge above Lake Atitlán. Difficulty, altitude, guide ratios and prices are all below.
A tough 2-day Acatenango hike from Antigua with cabin sleep, sunrise at altitude, and eruptions of El Fuego in Guatemala.
“Amazing experience, one in a lifetime for sure. The guides could have been much better. None of them spoke a single word in english and you could not see them most of the time. Besides that, great experience.”
Hike Pacaya Volcano from Antigua for red-hot lava views, steam vents, and pine forest scenery, with guides and marshmallows. Entry extra.
“We had a great time, the drive was safe, rather slow and a timely pick up/drop off. Our guide Roberto was very nice and took care of the group. We had different fitness levels on the tour and had breaks every 15-20 minutes which made the main hike pretty easy. For the price of this tour, it’s the exact same thing as all other tours offer and we had a great time!”
Two days hiking Acatenango from Antigua, sleeping at 3,700m, watching Fuego from basecamp, then catching sunrise and heading back down.
“Our guides Aiden and Alex were amazing! We took regular breaks on the way up and they made us delicious food at the top! The hike is tough but if you’ve done any hikes in Patagonia for example then we found those to be harder. Take note that the toilet is a hole in the ground with no toilet paper or anywhere to wash your hands, so advice would be take enough toilet paper with you and some hand wipes! The a-frame cabins are equipped with 4 single mattresses on the floor which we shared with another couple. It was warm enough for the majority of the night but before…”
Guided hike from Antigua to active Pacaya Volcano with a local guide, lava views, steaming vents, and marshmallows. Transport included.
“I absolutely loved our hike! We did the sunset hike so definitely bring a flash light. Our tour guide was amazing he made the hike enjoyable, was funny and personable, shared historical facts, and ensured everyone felt comfortable throughout. The hike itself wasn’t too bad, but be prepared for a lot of incline right from the start. I recommend getting a walking stick from the locals who sell them when you arrive. The views were beautiful! Overall, I would definitely recommend this hike.”
2-day Acatenango hike from Antigua with a guide, sleeping by Volcán de Fuego eruptions and chasing sunrise views. From $53 plus extras.
“Abner was really the best guide you could ask for. Very patient and informative. The views were worth every step of the way. (The food wasn’t my favorite so I would recommend bringing extra snacks.)”
Tough overnight Acatenango hike from Antigua with volcano camping, night skies, and guided climbs, plus add-on park and gear costs.
“I was really excited about this experience—the opportunity to hike a volcano with like-minded adventurers. When I arrived at the office, I was surprised by how many people were there. I initially assumed there were multiple groups, but it quickly became clear that things were chaotic from the start. There was very little instruction, and people were essentially told to get in where they fit in. My group ended up being 40+ people for what was supposed to be a 16-person hike. The guides appeared to be very young and, unfortunately, didn’t seem to have the experience needed to manage such a large and varied group. We were never informed…”
Hike active Pacaya with a certified guide from Guatemala City, roast marshmallows, and choose upgrades like coffee or hot springs.
“Went with a group of 10 people and everyone loved it! Never thought I'd hear a volcano and it blew my mind! The guides were great and gave us interesting information and the transportation was comfortable. Definitely recommend”
2-day Acatenango hike near Antigua with local guide, warm cabins, meals, and Fuego eruption views from base camp, $98.
“It was an amazing experience, you trully connect with Mother Nature. My only complain is that the guides should take control of the traffic of the people going in opposite direction, we got stuck several times due this situation.”
Hike Guatemala’s Pacaya Volcano from Antigua with a bilingual guide, picnic in the cinder-zone, and marshmallows roasted by geothermal vents.
“Recomendada. Gracias Dulce y Verónica por hacer muy amena la subida al Volcán y hacer de este tour una experiencia para recordar. 100% recomendado!”
One-day Acatenango hike from Antigua with cloud-forest trails, 360 summit views, and possible Volcan Fuego eruptions near La Soledad.
“Great excursion, contact with nature and the best views. Ask for Gerson, the best and patient tour guide! Highly recommended! Note: you should be in a great physical condition!”
Hike Acatenango overnight with dome camping, starry skies, sunrise summit views, and a chance to see Fuego’s glow from Antigua.
“The activity was good but the worth of money spent was a disappointment. People whom I shared a tent with have paid 2 times less for the experience than I did because they broke it at the hotel not online. I have said 125$ for the same experience they paid 65$.”
Birdwatching and scenic hiking at Finca El Pilar near Antigua, with binoculars, a bilingual guide, and volcano views.
“Incredible day birding with Monica. Monica is wonderful company. Saw 4-5 species of warbler, two guan, and three species of hummingbirds. The trail is beautiful. There are mosquitoes, so if they bother you, bring repellent.”
Acatenango overnight hike from Antigua. Diverse trails, cold-night campsite with Fuego eruptions, and a summit scramble with huge views.
“This was probably the most challenging thing I have done but also the most incredible experience I have ever had! Just a word of advice to take the following: wet wipes, tissues, head lamp (or torch) for early morning summit, hiking poles (they make such a difference) and obliviously warm clothing (it gets freezing at night).”
A 4-hour Lower Mayan Trail hike from San Marcos to Tzununa and Pumpatin Canyon, with volcano views and a riverside break.
Kayak Lake Atitlan’s rugged north shore, then hike Mayan paths through Tzununa, Jaibalito and Santa Cruz with small-group guides.
