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June 14, 2021 by Carmen Rizzo Hispanic Culture 0 comments

BOOM! 27 Most Amazing Volcanoes in Guatemala

Do you know how many volcanoes are in Guatemala? With more than 288 volcanic structures all around the country, volcanoes in Guatemala are a fundamental part of the landscape. 

Of the 288 volcanic structures in Guatemala, only 37 are considered volcanoes by la Feredación Nacional de Andinismo (National Climbing Federation of Guatemala). Currently, only three are highly active.

Along with the volcanoes, Guatemalan territory is situated over three tectonic plates: 

  • North American plate
  • Carribean plate 
  • Cocos plate

It’s also divided into four important faults: 

  • Motagua fault
  • Jalpatagua fault
  • Chixoy-Polochic fault 
  • Jocotán-Chamelecón fault

All these elements make Guatemala a highly seismic zone, which produces a lot of little earthquakes and volcanic activity! Keep reading to learn all about the top 27 most amazing volcanoes in Guatemala! 

Los volcanes

First, let’s talk about volcano facts in Spanish. A volcano is an opening on the surface of a planet or moon that allows material warmer than its surroundings to escape from its interior. When this material escapes, it causes an eruption. 

There are several kinds of volcanoes:

  • Los estratovolcanes – stratovolcanoes
  • Los volcanes en escudo – shield volcanoes
  • Los conos de ceniza o escoria – cinder cone
  • Las calderas – calderas
  • Los domos de lava – lava domes 
  • Los campos volcánicos – volcanic field

Let’s learn about the parts of a volcano and some volcano-related words in Spanish:

SpanishEnglish
El volcanVolcano
El cráterCrater
La cámara magmáticaMagma chambers
La chimenea Main vent
Los conductos secundariosSecondary vent
Las calderasCalderas
El conoCone
La cimaSummit
La cenizaAsh
La lava/El magmaLava/magma
El material piroclásticoPyroclastic material

27 Amazing Volcanoes in Guatemala

Source

Now it’s time to learn about the most amazing volcanoes in Guatemala! Check out this map that shows the positions of the volcanoes in Guatemala. Most volcanoes are in the southern part of the country. They’re part of a mountain formation known as the Sierra Madre.

1. Volcán Culma

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 1,027masl

Location: Jutiapa

Type: Volcanic Field 

Difficulty: Really Easy

Time to summit: 15 minutes

Distance from Guatemala City: 125km

Price: Free

This is the smallest volcano in Guatemala, with no known eruptions and easy to ascend, making it one of the easiest volcanoes to hike in the region. 

2. Volcán Cerro Redondo

Height: 1,267masl

Location: Santa Rosa

Type: Volcanic Shield

Difficulty: Really Easy

Time to summit: 1h 15m

Distance from Guatemala City: 40km

Price: US$1.50

This inactive volcano is located near the town of Cuilapa, in Santa Rosa. You have to pay around $1.50 to access the area to climb the volcano, and at the summit you’ll have a view of the Barberena plain. 

3. Volcán Ixtepeque

Height: 1,292 masl

Location: Jutiapa

Type: Lava dome

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 2h 30m

Distance from Guatemala City: 164km

The Ixtepeque volcano is the largest concentration of obsidian in North and Central America. This lava dome volcano is covered in pine trees and cornfields. It’s difficult to ascend, so it’s only recommended for experienced hikers. 

4. Volcán de Ipala

Volcán de Ipala
Source

Height: 1,292 masl

Location: Chiquimula

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 30m

Distance from Guatemala City: 170km

Price: US$1

The Ipala volcano’s most attractive feature is the lagoon at its crater, which changes color in the summer and winter. The place is full of activities like camping, horses, and tours. You can even rent a bungalow to stay overnight!  

At the summit, enjoy the Ipala lagoon and you will be able to see el volcan Suchitan, one of the highest volcanoes in the area.

5. Volcán Moyuta

Height: 1,622 masl

Location: Jutiapa

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 2h 30m

Distance from Guatemala City: 116km

Price: Free

The Moyuta volcano is easy to ascend and at the crater you will find cafetales (coffee plantations). At the highest point, you may be able to observe the plain of Moyuta and the Pacific Ocean if it isn’t foggy. You can camp there.

6. Volcán El Tahual

Height: 1,716 masl

Location: Jutiapa and Jalapa

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 2h 30m

Distance from Guatemala City: 135km

Price: US$1.50

At the skirts of this volcano you will find la Laguna del Hoyo, a lagoon with almost 1km of depth and 150m of circumference. El Tahual is easy to climb, and at the summit you will be able to observe the valley of Monjas and part of Jutiapa, as well as the Suchitán volcano.

7. Volcán Tecuamburro

Height: 1,962 masl

Location: Santa Rosa

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 45m

Distance from Guatemala City: 92km

Price: US$1.50

The Tecuamburro volcano is easy to climb and offers the option to camp there. This volcano is covered in coffee plantations and woods with a great variety of plants. From the summit, take in views of the towns of Nuevo Viñas, Taxisco, and Chiquimulilla.

8. Volcán de Quezaltepeque

Height: 1,904 masl

Location: Chiquimula

Type: Volcanic field

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 1h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 203km

Price: Free

The last eruption of this volcano took place in 1917, so at the skirts you’ll find leftover lava and volcanic material. This volcano is covered in dense and leafy vegetation so you can’t see much while climbing it, even from the summit. There is a point where the Esquipulas Basilica, one of the most famous Catholic churches in Guatemala, can be observed. 

9. Volcán Suchitan

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 2,042 masl

Location: Jutiapa 

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 3h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 137km

Price: Free 

This is the third largest volcano in eastern Guatemala. Because its crater is heavily covered in vegetation, the attraction of this volcano is being able to enjoy the view while climbing it. 

Suchitán volcano has another eruptive focus known as cerro Mataltepeque (Mataltepeque hill) with a height of 1,854 meters. 

10. Volcán de Alzatate

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 2,050 masl

Location: Jalapa

Type: Cinder Cone

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 180km

Price: Free

The Alzatate volcano resembles an ice-cream cone from a distance thanks to its summit, full of dense conifers. There is a theory that the crater has hollowed parts because of the sound it makes when kicked or stomped. At the crater, you can observe the town of Monjas from one side, and from the other, the Santa María Xalapan mountain.

11. Volcán Tobón

Height: 2,087 masl

Location: Jalapa

Type: Cinder Cone

Difficulty: Really Hard

Time to summit: 1h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 131km

Price: Free

Although it is challenging to climb, the Tobon volcano is the perfect first hard summit for beginners. At the crater, observe the beautiful landscape of San Pedro Pinula. 

12. Volcán Jumay

Height: 2,176 masl

Location: Jalapa

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 30m 

Distance from Guatemala City: 106km

Price: Free

This is the tallest volcano in eastern Guatemala. It’s inactive, but you can still observe the remains of its last eruption while climbing it. The crater is covered with corn fields, but that doesn’t prevent you from enjoying the amazing view of the city of Jalapa and the Santa María Xalapán mountain. 

13. Volcán San Antonio

Height: 2,550 masl

Location: San Marcos

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 240km

Price: Free

This is an active volcano with no recent eruptions registered. It’s easy access and climbing makes it one of the greatest hiking volcanoes in Guatemala. This volcano is surrounded by wheat plantations. 

From the summit, observe the amazing mountain formation of la Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, (in Chiapas, Mexico) and volcanoes from the southern Guatemalan volcanic mountain range. 

14. Volcán Chicabal

Volcán de Chicabal
Source

Height: 2,900 masl

Location: Quetzaltenango

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 2h 

Distance from Guatemala City: 230 km

Price: US$2

The Chicabal volcano is a mystical site in the Guatemalan cosmovision, thanks to the breathtaking lagoon in the crater of this volcano and the cloud forest at its summit. 

Because of the energy and the mystic aura of the place, indigenous people do rituals and get together to pray for rain and good crops there. 

15. Volcán San Pedro

Height: 3,020 masl

Location: Sololá

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Medium

Time to summit: 3-4 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 170km

Price: US$13

Situated in a protected area of an ecological park at Lake Atitlan, this volcano is one of the most popular tourist hiking volcanoes in Guatemala. The trek involves a 7km path to ascend the volcano. 

16. Volcán Cuxliquel

Height: 3,050 masl

Location: Totonicapan

Type: Lava dome

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1 hr

Distance from Guatemala City: 200km

Price: Free

Because it’s inactivity, this volcano is considered a hill. The ascent is easy and recommended for beginners. Unlike many other volcanoes in the country, this one is almost barren of trees. 

From the summit, you’ll be able to see Cerro Quemado and Santa María volcano. 

17. Volcán Santiaguito

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 2,510 masl

Location: Quetzaltenango

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 3 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 200km

Price: Free

One of the three active volcanoes in Guatemala, Santiaguito is accessible to climbers. It has constant activity and doesn’t have a summit. It was “born” from a massive eruption by the Santa María volcano in 1902, making it one of the youngest volcanoes in Guatemala. 

While ascending, observe the Santo Tomás and Zunil volcanoes. 

18. Volcán Tolimán

Volcán Tolimán
Source

Height: 3,150 masl

Location: Sololá

Type:Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 7 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 150km

Price: US$1.50

Toliman volcano has two summits, both over 3000 masl. Also known as el Volcán de la Cazuela (Casserole volcano), it takes 7 hours to summit. Catch breathtaking views of the lake and the colorful Mayan villages along its shores. 

19. Volcán de Pacaya

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 3,197 masl

Location: Guatemala and Escuintla

Type:  Complex Volcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 1h 15 min

Distance from Guatemala City: 50km

Price: US$3 

This is another active volcano in Guatemala. It constantly expels lava and ash. In early 2021, Pacaya spewed high quantities of ash in the direction of Guatemala City. The airport closed temporarily as a result, and several communities had to move because the lava destroyed their houses and settlements. 

At the summit of this volcano, observe lava rivers, fumes, Guatemala City, and three other volcanoes: Fuego, Acatenango, and Agua. 

20. Volcán Cerro Quemado

Height: 3,197 masl

Location: Quetzaltenango

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 6 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 205km

Price: $4

Also known as Almolonga volcano, this volcano hasn’t erupted since 1818. At the north and east areas of this volcano, enjoy thermal waters. 

From the summit, see a stunning view of the Quetzaltenango valley and the Santa María and Siete Orejas volcanoes.

21. Volcán Siete Orejas

Height: 3,370 masl

Location: Quetzaltenango

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Easy

Time to summit: 3 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 215km

Price: US$4

It’s name means “seven ears” because of the seven peaks that are part of the volcano. It has the largest canopy in Central America, and it is a protected area. It is one of the seven volcanoes in Quetzaltenango and has a giant crater. The summit is accessible via three paths.

22. Volcán Santo Tomás

Height: 3,505 masl

Location: Quetzaltenango, Suchitepequez, and Sololá

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Extremely Hard

Time to summit: 6 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 217km

Price: Free 

One of the most challenging-to-hike volcanoes in Guatemala. There is no register of eruption for this colossus. It produces thermal waters that are used as part of resting centers around the volcano. Santo Tomás is covered by trees and vegetation. 

23. Volcán Atitlán

Volcán Atitlán
Source

Height: 3,537 masl

Location: Sololá

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Really hard

Time to summit: 1 hr

Distance from Guatemala City: 150km

Price:US$1.50 

One of the three volcanoes overlooking Lake Atitlan, this volcano is one of the hardest to climb. It is the “twin” of Tolimán. It has an almost perfect cone covered in vegetation and trees, as well as deep ravines. 

Its crater is nearly 250m in diameter. The summit features a panoramic view of the incredibly beautiful lake basin.

24. Volcán de Fuego

Volcán de fuego
Source

Height: 3,830 masl

Location: Sacatepequez

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Extremely Hard

Time to summit: 8 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 50km

Price: US$1.50

The hardest volcano to climb in Guatemala is Volcán de Fuego (Fire volcano). Fuego is the twin of Acatenango with recorded activity since the Spanish conquest. While you’re climbing, you’ll see many other volcanoes—Acatenango, Santa María, San Pedro, Tolimán, Atitlan, Agua, and Pacaya. 

This volcano erupted regularly from 1524 to 1974. Sometimes, the force and quantity of the material expelled was so massive the ash went all the way to El Salvador. In 2018, Fuego had one of the deadliest eruptions in Guatemalan history. Pyroclastic material, ash, and volcanic sand wiped out a town and caused severe damage.  

25. Volcán de Acatenango

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 3,5976 masl

Location: Chimaltenango and Sacatepequez

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 6-12 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 217km

Price: US$4

The twin of the Volcan de Fuego, Acatenango is one of the most impressive volcanoes in Guatemala. It’s the third largest volcano in the country and has two summits.

26. Agua

Volcanoes in Guatemala
Source

Height: 3,766 masl

Location: Sacatepequez, Escuintla

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 4 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 54km

Price: US$1.50

El Volcán de Agua (Water Volcano)  is one of the three volcanoes visible from Antigua Guatemala. Because it has been inactive for so long, there is weather and monitoring equipment installed in the crater of this volcano, as well as transmission towers. 

From the summit, hikers appreciate a splendid view of the Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. If the sky is clear, you can also see the spectacular Atitlan, Tolimán and San Pedro volcanoes in the distance. 

27. Volcán Tajumulco

Volcán Tajumulco
Source

Height: 4,220 masl

Location: San Marcos

Type: Stratovolcano

Difficulty: Hard

Time to summit: 5 hrs

Distance from Guatemala City: 272km

Price: Free

Tajumulco is not only the biggest volcano in Guatemala but also in Central America. It has two summits which provide an impressive view of the Guatemalan volcanic chain. 

Because it’s a tourist attraction, the main route to ascend is relatively easy. Tajmulco has several paths that vary in difficulty. 

Time to Climb!

Climbing a volcano is an adventurous challenge, and achieving such a feat is highly satisfying. Leave a comment and tell me which Guatemalan volcano you’d like to climb and why. Let’s start a conversation! 

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Carmen Rizzo
Carmen Rizzo
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I’m a native Spanish speaker from Guatemala with a B.A. in Psychology. I have a passion for teaching Sunday school in my spare time and for learning and sharing valuable information. I'm a cat lover who gets excited over cartoons, anime, and video games. I dabble in digital illustration and animation. I'm inspired by sharing my culture, traditions, food, and beliefs with others, while learning about theirs in return.
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