Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua worth booking?
Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua is a 8-hour experience in Antigua, Guatemala, from $138 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (15)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $138 per person
Pacaya, one of Guatemala’s youngest volcanoes, offers hikers a unique glance into the geologic center of the earth on this 8-hour small-group tour. A relatively easy climb of 1.5 hours brings you to the fertile shelf just below the cinder cone called “la Meseta.” From here you get an awesome view of recent lava flows. You will explore these lava fields, and as the smoking crater looms above, the environment quickly changes to resemble that of an extraterrestrial setting. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while gazing at the views before you make your way back down. Tour includes private transport, all entry fees, all guide fees, a fresh lunch, and a 1st aid trained bilingual guide.
What you get
About this experience
Pacaya, one of Guatemala’s youngest volcanoes, offers hikers a unique glance into the geologic center of the earth on this 8-hour small-group tour. A relatively easy climb of 1.5 hours brings you to the fertile shelf just below the cinder cone called “la Meseta.” From here you get an awesome view of recent lava flows. You will explore these lava fields, and as the smoking crater looms above, the environment quickly changes to resemble that of an extraterrestrial setting. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while gazing at the views before you make your way back down. Tour includes private transport, all entry fees, all guide fees, a fresh lunch, and a 1st aid trained bilingual guide.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Dinner
- Transport by private vehicle
- Local driver/guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Antigua
Hike Guatemala's most accessible active vocano, Volcán de Pacaya. Set in its own National Park, Pacaya is a storybook volcano with a continuous plume of smoke drifting from its summit and a massive dried lava field forming the valley at the base of its caldera. Our group meets at Old Town Outfitters Shop in Antigua at 08:00hrs where drinking water, bathroom facilities and retail outdoor equipment are available for our clients.
60 minutes here
Pacaya Volcano
Our drive to the trailhead is just over 1-hour in private transport from Antigua to the Park Office. As our group moves up the myriad of trails on the mountain, Guatemala’s impressive vistas open up before us. As we reach the base of the caldera, our guide will direct the group through the rugged dried lava fields. Our group will stop for a freshly prepared picnic to enjoy along with views of nearby volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Our hike down brings across the remaining dried lava fields before we begin our descent through Pacaya’s lush and lesser known forests and farmland. After arriving back at the trailhead, our group returns to Antigua by private transport to arrive in town at ~16:00hrs.
420 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Antigua
Please go to 7a Calle Poniente 23, Antigua Guatemala you will see our Old Town Outfitters shop.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please go to 7a Calle Poniente 23, Antigua Guatemala you will see our Old Town Outfitters shop.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- OLD TOWN OUTFITTERS
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age for travelers is 6 years old
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing hike with friendly tour guides!
Amazing view at the top of the volcano and at the valley!! Tour guides were extremely friendly and super nice. 10/10 would recommend.
via Viator
Nice Tour and Great Crew!
Me and my gf did the full afternoon tour and had a great time with Gabriel, Angel and Heidy. They were really nice, talkative, punctual and the whole experience of climbing for the Pacaya view is great. Points to improve for the future: ● Guides to take better care and attention of the hikers when going up and down, some people may need more attention and some spots while going down are quite dangerous ● Overall more preparation from the guides providing the tour, seemed like the were very knowleadgable of the track to be followed but not much else from there. Nothing bad or dangerous happened to us but it could, and dont feel they were quite prepared if this instance could happen.
via Viator
Shop around before you book with Old Town to Pacaya
We found and communicated with Old Town online before we left on our trip to Gautemala. They were offering a Pacaya hiking trip that we really wanted to do. Their price was variable on the number of people going up – starting at $165US each for the three of us; but we understood it could drop as low as $80US if a bigger crowd joined us. When we arrived in Antigua, there wasn’t anyone else signed up for the trip, so we checked with a few other travel agencies and discovered everyone else was offering a significantly lower price. We ended up paying about $24US/each (plus $16/each for park entrance) with a different operator (American Travel) for virtually the same trip with five other people, the only difference the lack of a picnic lunch.
via Tripadvisor
Poor experience, please avoid Esmeralda as your guide (if you can't avoid Old Time).
We were extremely disappointed with Old Time Outfitters, as based on other reviews we expected so much better. We had a very poor (perhaps racist) experience with Old Town and our guide Esmeralda for Pacaya tour. Three of our family were stuffed in the last row with little legroom. A different party of four (from Britain) were given four individual seats. There were middle seats, which were not opened. This was done for the 90 min each way ride (though to be equitable the other party should have moved to the back). Our guide on the mountain, we were Team Monkey, was good. Once back down, tired, the promised dinner was limited to chips, cut tomatoes and cucumber, and guac - clearly not enough (please see picture). On the way to Pacaya and back, our guide did not share any helpful information about sights we were passing etc. Esmeralda was on her phone almost the entire time. Please consider other companies.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing volcano hike with wonderful guides!!!
I looked up the information online and then booked with Tami in the store. She was incredibly helpful and though my Spanish is quickly improving, she was kind enough to use English to ensure that I fully understood the trip. I did the Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour with Diego! It was wonderful. It was a life goal of mine to be on a volcano and this experience was outstanding! I'm an avid long-distance runner and let me say, this hike is challenging. Give or take, it's about 2 miles each way. When we arrived we hooked up with a guia from the volcano. It was nice having two guides to talk to and ask questions of. I was also really lucky, it was only me and only two other hikers. (Loved getting money back from the tiered pricing.) I know it doesn't sound like much but there aren't really switchbacks. You are able to take breaks along the way. Near the top there is a store, we paused there before going into the lava field. The lava fields were more challenging to walk on. Watch your ankles. In alignment with other reviews I've read, I 100% agree that roasting marshmallows over a heat vent has to be one of the coolest (hottest lol) things I've ever done! After "playing" in the lava field for a bit, the volcano guide took us up another 400 feet and there's no other way for me to describe it than saying it was like walking through volcanic sand. Coming down the "front" was very steep and the stepping/sliding motion was a lot of fun. (Wear tall socks and gaiters!) We then stopped for dinner. Watch your food, the random dogs may try to steal it :-) We then hiked down, returned to the car, and were dropped off back at the store!!! In total, my Garmin had us just under 4 miles total with an elevation gain of 1,417 feet. For those unfamiliar with this part of Guatemala, please remember you are starting at an elevation of 6,000ft.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the thorough review and glad you loved the Pacaya experience with us!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by OLD TOWN OUTFITTERS, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.4.
See everything OLD TOWN OUTFITTERS runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Antigua.
How much does Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua cost?
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Prices start at $138 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Antigua usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Antigua is not rushed.
Is Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Antigua, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Antigua can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Antigua and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Antigua within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Antigua?
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On Outty we rank every Antigua experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Coffee and Gastronomic Bike Tour in Antigua, Antigua ATV Mountain Adventure, Antigua ATV Sunset Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Antigua?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Antigua?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Included: Professional guide; National Park fees; All taxes, fees and handling charges; Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points; and Dinner. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Please go to 7a Calle Poniente 23, Antigua Guatemala you will see our Old Town Outfitters shop. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Antigua. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Pacaya Volcano Sunset Tour from Antigua?
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Across 15 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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