The 15 Best Hikes in Guatemala

1.Adventure, 2-Day Hiking to Acatenango Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,189 reviews · 2 days · from $54Our pick

You’ll hike from La Soledad to a shared high camp with Spanish-speaking guides such as Luis, Roberto, and Santiago. Expect steep volcanic gravel, basic food, cold nights, a sunrise climb, and optional extra time near erupting Fuego.

“Absolutely incredible experience! I considered giving up in the first mile, but I’m so happy I didn’t! I thought the first part was the most challenging. This hike is tough but SO worth it! Do not give up! My advice: renting poles are essential, wear shoes with traction, bring extra snacks (especially protein), and bring extra layers. It’s truly the experience of a lifetime! Enjoy!”

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2.Pacaya Volcano Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 798 reviews · 6 hours · from $23Best value

Leave Antigua by shared minivan for Pacaya’s slopes, then hike with an English or Spanish-speaking guide through pine forest and ash to steaming volcanic ground. You may see lava if activity allows, and you can roast marshmallows over the heat. The hike is moderate to strenuous, with horses available locally for an extra fee.

“Pacaya exceeded my expectations. the ascent was a continuous steep climb with barely any flat surface. All but one person in the group had to ride a horse going up. But the view from the top was definitely amazing. The guide also had some marshmallow he roasted using steam seeping from the ground. Only complaint was that I was picked up 1 hr later than what was advised. And the driver seemed to try to make up for time by driving extremely fast.”

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3.Antigua, Guatemala: Volcano Acatenango Overnight Hiking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 645 reviews · 2 days · from $90

Hike Acatenango from Antigua with English or Spanish-speaking guides, eating hot meals and sleeping in an A-frame cabin at 3,700 meters. Watch Fuego erupt from base camp, then climb for sunrise. Small groups, patient pacing, and gear rental make this a strong-value choice, but the ascent is very demanding.

“One of the most amazing experiences of my life ! The organisation wasn’t so great, I requested vegetarian food and then they said it had ran out, also took a long time to start because of confusion getting food and equipment etc, but you go with the flow ! Our guides were amazing, big respect ! Bring as many layers as you can, lots of snacks and lots of water !”

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4.Hike to Pacaya Volcano from Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 502 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $35

Travel from Antigua to Pacaya National Park, then hike with a Spanish-English guide through forest and volcanic rock to a lava-field plateau. Expect steep sections, cold wind at altitude, and optional horses, pizza, or marshmallows at extra cost. Guides such as Ervin and Mono are praised for their care.

“Pick up was a bit delayed but the guides were very friendly and helpful . Hike itself was moderately strenuous, however there were long enough rest stops, especially if you stay near the front of the group (l say this as a 185cm 105kg man)”

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5.2-Day Acatenango Volcano Hiking with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 366 reviews · 2 days · from $53

From Antigua, hike Acatenango through farmland, cloud forest, and volcanic ground with a Spanish-speaking guide. Sleep near the summit, watch Fuego erupt after dark, and climb for sunrise. Meals, 3 liters of water, cold-weather gear, transport, and a sleeping bag are included, but entrance fees and optional extras cost more.

“Simply amazing! My only remark is that the sleeping bag, jacket and gloves provided were not thick enough to protect from the cold and I therefore struggled a lot during the night. It's safer to come prepare with clothing of one's own.”

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6.Overnight Adventure Hike Acatenango Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $84

Hike Acatenango from Antigua over two days, sleep on the volcano’s slopes, and return after breakfast. The tour includes sleeping gear, gloves, sweaters, and hot drinks. Guides such as Angell and Rogelio have earned praise, but group size and organization can vary.

“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…”

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7.Pacaya Volcano Shared Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $65Top rated

You’ll ride from Guatemala City to Pacaya, then hike about 1.5 hours to a high viewpoint above the lava fields with a certified local guide. Guides such as David, Manny, Pedro, and Mynor are praised for patient pacing and clear explanations. Add coffee or geothermal pools, and consider a horse for the steep sections.

“Experience was great but I paid extra for hot springs and it was NOT hot springs. They took me to a spa that had hot and cold therapy pools.. kind of disappointed”

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8.2-Day Acatenango Volcano Hike w/Local Guide & Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 43 reviews · from $98

You’ll hike Acatenango from La Soledad to a heated wooden cabin, watch Fuego erupt after dark, then climb for sunrise. Pachamama Tours includes transport, meals, water, gear, sleeping bag, and hostel lodging. Guides such as Willy and Kevin have earned warm praise, but the climb is demanding.

“Highlight of our trip to Guatemala. The guide Willy was great. Thanks for this experience!”

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9.Pacaya Volcano Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 6 hours · from $165

Meet your bilingual guide at Old Town Outfitters for a six-hour Pacaya hike from Antigua. Walk across cooled lava, visit geothermal vents, roast marshmallows, and enjoy a picnic beneath the smoking cone. Choose a morning or sunset departure, with guides such as Ivanna, Oscar, David, or Kim leading recent outings.

“We had a great experience. Our hosts were the best we could ask for! David and Kim were fun, knowledgeable and took great care of us. They made the hike and entire experience so much fun.”

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10.1 Day Acatenango Volcano Hike from Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · from $170

Hike Acatenango from Antigua with a bilingual local guide, passing cornfields, cloud forest, pine forest, and loose volcanic scree before reaching the summit. You may watch Fuego erupt from 4 kilometers away. Guides Gerson and Andrés are singled out by name, and the route includes transport, park fees, and a picnic meal.

“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!”

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11.Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike 2-Day Camping &Fuego Views

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 10 reviews · 2 days · from $150

Hike from Antigua to Acatenango’s high camp with a Spanish-speaking local guide, sleep in a dome cabin, and rise before dawn for sunrise views of Fuego. The $150 price includes meals, entrance fees, camping gear, warm clothing, coffee, and transport. Fuego’s optional hike costs Q300 extra.

“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$.”

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12.Acatenango Volcano 2-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $245

Climb Acatenango with a private bilingual guide, camp at 3,750 meters, and reach the 3,975-meter summit for 360-degree views. Guides such as David, Willy, Rudy, Giovanni, and Lukas have helped make recent trips personal, safe, and well fed.

“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).”

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13.Birdwatching and Scenic Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 9 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95

From Antigua, join bilingual guide Monica at Finca El Pilar for a birdwatching and hiking outing through pine-oak forest. Binoculars and transport are included. Look for motmots, trogons, hummingbirds, quail, and volcano views, but expect a steep route with many stairs.

“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.”

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14.Lower Mayan Trail: San Marcos to Santa Cruz 4-Hour Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

Join a professional English- or Spanish-speaking guide for a four-hour hike from Santa Cruz toward Tzununa. Follow old Kaqchikel Maya paths above Lake Atitlán, pass corn and coffee fields, descend into Pumpatin Canyon, and stop by the river for a picnic or swim.

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15.Kayak Hike Adventure. Visit Tzununa, Jaibalito, Santa Cruz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $60

Paddle Lake Atitlán for an hour, then hike old Maya paths through Tzununa, Jaibalito, and Santa Cruz with a bilingual local guide. Kayaks, paddleboards, safety gear, and waterproof bags are provided. The small group is limited to eight people.

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