Pacaya is by far the most popular volcano to climb in Guatemala, and not without reason. The volcano is easy to climb and provides the opportunity to climb an active volcano. On clear days you can also see the volcanoes of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. If you arrive at the top of the Pacaya you can smell the sulfer, feel the heat and there is a good chance of seeing lava.

The Pacaya is by far the most popular volcano to climb in Guatemala, and not without reason. The volcano is easy to climb and gives the opportunity to climb an active volcano. On clear days you can see the volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. If you arrive at the top of the Pacaya you can smell the sulfer, feel the heat and you have a good chance to actually see lava.

Elev: 2,550m (8,367 ft)
Cone: Composite
Eruption: Strombolian
Status: Active
Location: Between Guatemala City and  Escuintla, 14.38?N - 90.60 W     Eruptive History: 1565; 1651 powerful ash eruption; 1664 3-day eruption; 1668; 1690 active; 1775; 1961; 1965 start of almost continuous eruption to the present; 1968 ash & small lava bombs; Oct-Nov 1983 explosions and Strombolian eruption; 1984-86 eruption producing ash columns to 8 km in height, 1988-1990 Strombolian eruption, 1998 eruption with ash fall in Guatemala City;

Notes: Pacaya is an active volcano and its shape is constantly changing. Pacaya is part of a range of peaks: Hoja de Queso at 2,090m (6,857 ft), Cerro Chiquito at 2,420m (7,940 ft), and Cerro de Agua at 2,560m (8,399 ft) which are part of a large volcanic caldera that includes Lake Amatitlan and Laguna de Calderas. The vent which is actually in eruption (Pico Mackenney) is fed by a secondary magma duct.