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Acatenango is a beautiful active volcano in Guatemala that tourist from all over the world hike every year – and there’s a reason for it! Reaching 3,976 meters above sea level, the volcano is officially taller than Mount Fuji (yes, the one from Japan). If you are into seeing views and experiencing nature at its finest, this is a place you simply CANNOT miss. From the Top of Acatenango, you can see Volcan Fuego, which is an Active Volcano that erupts every lava day. So rest assured, the views at night are nothing short of spectacular.
Want to see what a Acatenango Hike looks like?
Watch our video here:
How difficult is it to hike Acatenango? And can everyone do it?
Hiking Acatenango is quite difficult, we won’t lie, but it’s the most rewarding experience any tourist can have. The trek is approximately 11 kilometers long and can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to complete, depending on how fast your group goes. The trail is steep and rocky at some points, muddy in others, and even sandy at the start (which is actually the hardest part). We recommend you to take comfortable (but sturdy) trainers, that you don’t mind getting dirty.
The hike is divided into three stages, each fairly different to one another and challenging in its own way:
- The first is a straight line upwards in sandy terrain. Although it’s relatively short, your legs will be killed as you’ll receive that first “shock” of walking upwards with a bagpack. You should count for about an hour as you won’t go too fast, and once you get to the top, there’s a cafe where you can grab some food and a well deserved rest.
- The second stage starts getting a little steeper, you go over stairs built into the ground, the path gets narrower and as you progress upwards, you will notice the temperature goes down. You will be able to stop at a few points but this should take about 2 hours. You will also get to a point where you have to stop, fill in a form and grab some food as well.
- The last stage is a lot more slippery as some sections tend to get muddy, there is a mixture between steep parts and flatter ones, and it should take you about 2 hours as well. This one culminates at your base camp, right in front of Volcan Fuego.
Is it easy (and worth) spending the night camping in Acatenango?
Camping on Acatenango is a unique experience because you’re literally spending the night in an active volcano. However, let’s not sugarcoat it, the actual sleeping experience is not great. We were crammed in a tent for 2 people… The only problem? It was 4 of us and we didn’t know the other 2 people. The tent was also a little broken so there was some cold air coming in. We ended up half-sleeping for about 3 to 4 hours, and got out of the tent at 4am to make a fire, and watch the sunrise. And this was nothing short of incredible!
We knew sleeping it wasn’t going to be the best experience, but overall, it was worth it. While we sipped on some warm team, some people chose to summit Acatenango for a better view of the sunrise. This is another hour upwards, and it’s up to you to choose if it’s worth it.
It’s important for you to know that temperatures can drop below freezing at night and even though they will give you some coats and sleeping bags, you should still be prepared to take your own socks, gloves, coat and any other clothing you may need to keep yourself warm.
Should you trek to Fuego Volcano from the top of Acatenango?
One of the main attractions of hiking Acatenango is the opportunity to witness the nearby Fuego volcano in action. Fuego (means fire) is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and as long as it’s not cloudy you will be able to see lava bursting into the sky at night.
Some people choose to watch the Fuego volcano from the base campsite, which is what we did. Others, do a night trek to get closer to the eruption site – around 3 hours there and back, at night. We don’t think this is worth it, but if you do choose to go, please be aware that volcanic eruptions can be unpredictable and dangerous at times, so follow your guide’s instructions. You should also be careful with where you step because at night, visibility is extremely low.
How much does the Acatenango Tour cost and where should I book it?
There are a ton of different places to book it from online (like here for example), but in our honest opinion, yoiu shouldn’t book with any of them. Get yourself to Antigua, and as you walk aroud the centre, you will be able to easily spot little shops selling the Acatenango Tour. There are dozens of these as tourism is a crucial part of the town’s survival. The other advantage of booking directly on the spot is that prices may be negotiable, specially if there’s not many people booked up for the trek.
When we went, we paid USD 40 per person, which in our opinion is super affordable given the quality of the experience. It’s normal that the prices goes up a little every year, but online you will see some companies quoting double or triple that – don’t fall for it, just book it in person.
Where to do the Acatenango Tour from
You could come from Gutemala city or other nearby towns, but the best option is to do it from Antigua. The city is gorgeous and so many other travelers go from there, which means you won’t be alone, and also won’t be far from the point where the trek starts.
5 Things you HAVE to know about climbing Acatenango
- There is a big chance this is one of the best experiences in your life. If you get to see Lava erupting from Volcan Fuego, it makes for a spectacular experience. If you haven’t check out some of the shots from our video above.
- You can get lucky, or not. When we got to the top of the Volcano, it was quite foggy and we couldn’t see much. Over time, the skies cleared and the views were magical. But there are no guarantees it won’t be cloudy (or rainy!).
- The hike has some difficult moments along the way. The early part you will be climbing on mostly sand, which is hard on the legs. It then becomes easier after you pass that section, but then it gets hard again. Don’t give up! The experience will be worth it.
- Going to the toilet up there is… complicated. Because there is no toilet. But you have some great bushes with panoramic views 😂 Just make sure to take some toilet paper with you in case the guides don’t have any.
- The hike will give you pain for DAYS! We remember how much our knees (and whole bodies) hurt the day after the hike. Be prepared to go through it, and make sure to rest appropriately.
So, tell us, will you do the Acatenango Hike when you visit Guatemala?
Let us know below or via our Youtube Channel and get to know us here!
