The ascent to this viewpoint is a difficult 4-hour walk made well worth the effort by the impressive view.  From the south flank of the volcano Santa Maria, flora and fauna make this place a little walk different compared to other routes that are around this volcano. We depart from Quetzaltenango, about 30 minutes by car, to the site of the hike.  There are places to camp, optionally, the walk down is the same place at the end you can enjoy a relaxing sauna bath at the Eco Lodge Las Cumbres.

It is possible to climb and even to ascend inside the crater, although that is an adventure with a lot of Adrenaline. Inside the crater you can observe from a close distance the activity of Santiaguito with all its fury. It is definitely an extreme adventure inside the most active volcano in Central America.
Elev: Variable, approx. 2,510m (8,235 ft)
Status: Active
Location: Depto. Quetzaltenango, 10 km from Aldea El Palmar Eruptive
History: Santiaguito was born during the 1902 eruption of Santa Maria. Has been in continuous eruption since 1922. Volcanologists rate Santiaguito among the 10 most dangerous volcanos in the world (in terms of potential damage to persons and property).
Notes: Santiaguito has an ever changing shape, consisting of a twisted mass of lava flows, ash, lava fragments, and pyroclastic flows. In the recent past, this volcano has produced pyroclastic flows which encounter the nearby rivers resulting in lahars.The nearby town of El Palmar, 10km (6 mi) away, has been destroyed twice by lahars from Santiaguito. The lava dome currently growing on Santiaguito has volcanologists worried because it could collapse, unleashing a large pyroclastic flow..