Stunning. Definitely worth the day trip to see this. 50q entry fee and you need to hire a local guide. The views of surrounding farms are amazing. Even along the trail there's an incredible diversity of plant life. Our guide was able to teach us about the various uses of these plants. Also at the peak the lava flows are still warm enough for you to toast a marshmallow. An entrepreneurial local sells pizzas for 400q made in the heat from the lava. Also it goes without saying but this is STEEP and the elevation is 6000 ft above sea level. Wear good shoes, don't carry too much, take breaks, etc. They offer horses to make the trek easier for 35 dollars. The horse rental people are very persistent and follow you almost half way up to see if you get tired and change your mind, so you can be brave and chicken out later if it's too much. We made it to the top without horses but it was a struggle because of the elevation.

Incredible! We hiked with our five kids ages 8, 9, 12, 15, and 17. It was a tough hike going up and the kids traded on and off a horse we rented for $20. we did get walking sticks for pretty cheap and those were helpful at times. We went in January and the weather was actually much warmer than I expected, it was t-shirt and jeans weather all the way up and down. I was disappointed we didn't get to see flowing lava, but apparently it's pretty rare. The rocks were much hotter than I thought and the kids got to roast marshmallows and when we poured water on the rocks or spit on the rocks you could see it create vapor and boil right away. It was like nothing we have experienced before and worth the trip for sure.

This was my first time walking up a volcano and was a great part of my stag weekend with my two brothers. The views from the top of the volcano were amazing, although we weren't able to get to climb right to the top of the creator as it is an active volcano. We cooked marshmallows in a small creator and we rode horses down for Q100, which was a great experience. There is also this small and unique gift shop near the top of the volcano.

Vulcan Pacaya is a beautiful place for visit. Here you can see lava field and a little bit walk there. Are there some places, where you can see fume. Be careful, it's enough hot. Better come to there in first part of day, because after can be cloudy. Trail isn't difficult, but is possible to take a guide and horse. For foreigners entrance 50Q.

What a great trip to a mildly active volcano! You can tell that at some time in the not-so-distant past that a major flow has covered the hillside and poured down into the valley below. When we arrived, the tour guides were anxious to get us horses which were necessary to get us all up the steep roadway; you would need a four-wheel-drive vehicle otherwise unless you wanted to walk the whole distance. The entry fee was just a few quetzales and so were the horses... Maybe $20 US per person? Anyway, when we arrived at the saddle of the volcano between it and the next smaller peak, we walked the rest of the way on a short hiking path that was not at all flat. We made it to a spot with several fumeroles and steam seemed to come up everywhere around us. The guide broke out marshmallows and sticks and used a hot place in the rocks to roast them to give to us. Delicious! What a great memory but this is not for people afraid of horses or a somewhat-challenging hike.

If you want a short volcanic experience, we recommend climbing Pacaya. The climb is very easy, and near the summit there is a man making pizza with a volcanic fire. On the way to the mountain, you can watch the eruption of the volcano Fuego next door. However, the entrance fee goes up every year.

The place has clean well kept restrooms. The trail is well kept, clear, next to impossible to get lost. You feel safe all the way up and down. The end result view is incredible. You are required to take a guide per group. This is mostly to keep the place well kept. They will usually provide little sticks if you carry hot dogs or marshmallows which you can cook in real volcano Heat. Over all a great experience. Lastly if you are not in great shape, you can horseback ride to the top.

Must visit! Also buy items from the Volcán store and bring food for the doggies you will find along the route :)

Great place to experience a volcano. We paid 100 quetzals per horse to climb it up because it can be done but we rather rest while going up.

Definitely a "Medium" hike. Guide was patient and had lots of stops. to rest.

Great short hike for a few hours. Bring a light jacket for the wind at the top.

The hike would be very nice in principle. however, when you arrive at the entrance of the park you are besieged by people with horses who then follow you on the hike. They ride behind and beside you and drive you up the hill at a speed that it is no longer fun. They are unfriendly and do not take into account if someone is afraid of horses. The park should be responsible for giving the tourists their space and keeping the riders back. Despite the beautiful scenery, I cannot recommend this place and advise against a visit.

Amazing experience for three of us who experienced the beauty of one of a few live volcanos in Guatemala. The welcoming center was accommodating as a meeting point with our guide, the horses and their handlers and the beginning of a memorable experience