What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• EXTREME hike up the volcano

  Jeff S,

  May 10, 2025

  - Viator

  3.00

  The hike to the volcano was very challenging. The tour should have been labeled EXTREME. Otherwise great tour and sights, great tour guide and drivers

• You can do it!!

  Darin B,

  May 3, 2025

  - Viator

  4.00

  The hike is a bit physical but can be done. The guide was awesome knew when to take breaks. The view was worth it all!!

• Very cool but EXTREMELY challenging!!!

  Arthur L,

  Mar 13, 2025

  - Viator

  2.00

  This is an extremely challenging hike that basically vertical the whole 2 miles up. Even for folks that are fit this is a brutal hike. There are folks at the bottom of the hike that will follow you with horses because they know how hard the hike is and that you will eventually break down to pay the $50 cash per person to ride one. Once you get to the top the view is incredible. Walking through the volcanic ash is stunning. But before booking this tour you really should be aware of how hard rather hike is and be prepared to fork over $50 per person and get the horse. When you get to the top, the horse and the horse guide will ask you if you want the horse on the way down. Belive me - you do!! They don't charge extra, keep the horse for the whole thing! There is a local guide that is supposed to help you on the tour but he was basically useless. He didn't keep an eye on all the folks that were legging behind because of how challenging it was. He was great when it came time to steam marshmallows but other than that he was no real help. I don't regret doing the tour. It was really cool. But a alot more transparency would have been helpful

• Awesome excursion! Definitely worth the hike!!

  Joseph C,

  Dec 30, 2024

  - Viator

  5.00

  Of my 15 night Panama Canal Cruise itinerary, this excursion was my favorite! The drive to and from the volcano took over an hour each way, so make sure you use the restroom before you get in the van. This was my first time hiking an "active" volcano. I have hiked Diamond Head (Hawaii), Lava Beds National Monument (Tulelake, CA), and lots of 14,000+ foot mountains in Colorado. If you're going to make the entire Pacaya Volcano hike on foot, you need to be in shape! Otherwise, there are some additional cost options you should consider when you arrive to Pacaya Volcano. When you arrive to Pacaya Volcano, kids will surround your vehicles to rent you a "walking stick." I don't find walking sticks useful, but my wife swears it was worth $2 to rent the walking stick. The second available option is horses. There are lots of people willing to rent-a-ride on a horse to the top of the volcano (or up-and-down) for $25-$50/person. Since I was there to hike on-foot, I declined these add-on options. The hike was steep, but no worse than the other hikes I mentioned above. So, again, if you're in-shape, have water, and a protein bar, I am sure you'll enjoy this hike! The natural beauty was breathtaking, and the panoramic views from the top of the volcano are certainly worth the trip! Lakes, tropical forest, Guatemala City view, and more... it was awesome. Since the volcano was still active, our guide talked about previous eruptions and toasted marshmallows for us over the steam vents near the top of the volcano. Following the hike, we used the restroom facilities and then made our way to a house for a Guatemalan lunch... fresh avocado tostada, maize/corn tamale, and coffee. It was a perfect finish to our hike! This excursion made Guatemala my favorite stop on the cruise!

• Excellent excursion from cruise ship port

  Christine D,

  Dec 13, 2024

  - Viator

  5.00

  This was an excellent cruise ship excursion. The company provided an excellent tour guide, Rimero, and the transportation was a very nice van driven by Americo. There was some traffic along the way because the road bridges had been washed away by rains, and lots of road work, but the guide and driver were excellent. We didn't really realize how extreme of a hike this is. I knew from other reviews that I would need a horse ride to the top ($45 cash extra) but my husband, a firefighter used to hiking, was surprised how much of an extreme hike this was. A few people in our group had to get horses after only a few hundred yards. There is a point of no return to get a horse, and the worst of the hike was after that. So be prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed it via horseback, but my husband wished he knew how rough it was or he would have gotten one too!! They roasted marshmallows in the caldera. And after the hike, we stopped for a wonderful snack of tostadas and (forgot the name) something like a tamale. Excellent tour, wonderful guide, great transportation. Would highly recommend. But be forewarned to bring water, a jacket (extreme winds and very cold at the top!!) and cash for a horse and tips ;) Wonderful experience.