Lava fields
Black and frozen.
Christopher Crouzet — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Luisfi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bruno Girin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Nolabob — CC BY-SA 3.0
An active volcano about 2,552 metres high south of Guatemala City, quiet for decades until it burst back into vigorous activity in 1961; it still vents smoke and lava from time to time, making it one of the most accessible active volcanoes in Central America. The climb starts at the visitor centre in the village of San Francisco de Sales, on a trail through forest and farmland of about an hour and a half up, to fields of frozen black lava beneath the main cone. There visitors approach vents breathing hot air and watch the cone smoking above them. The slopes give wide views of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes to the west and Lake Amatitlán in the valley. Locals rent horses to those who prefer to ride up. The trail is steep, sandy dirt and the wind is cold at the top, so bring a jacket and sturdy shoes. Volcano hikes are only with licensed guides; the volcanoes are active and trails close when activity rises, so check before going.
Black and frozen.
Warm air.
Agua and Fuego.
Pacaya Volcano National Park, San Francisco de Sales, about an hour and a half from Antigua
About an hour and a half up and an hour down from the visitor centre, a half day including transfer from Antigua.