Overview
Pacaya is the one of the most most active volcanoes in the world years. It has had many eruptions, and there have been at least 23 erutptions since 1565 that reported about 23 eruptions. The largest known eruption of all was 1100 years ago when the entire volcano collapsed, sending a debris avalanche all the way to the coastal plain of the Pacific Ocean. The volcano is an easy, but spectacular climb.
Getting There
Most guided tours leave from Antigua (see below). From any of the bus stations in Guatemala City, take a bus to Antigua. There are buses leaving every fifteen minutes. From Antigua locate any of the numerous travel agencies for a guided trip.
If traveling independently, take a bus along Carratera Pacifico towards Palin. Get off the bus at km 37. From km 37, there 3-4 buses a day to Calderas. Get off the bus at San Francisco. This is the trailhead.
Route Description
The description will be brief, because it is highly recommended that you take a guided tour for the trip. The way up the volcano is easy to find, but unfortunately and sadly, in recent years, many independent travelers have been robbed on the volcano. At last report, the robberies have become much less frequent during the last year or two, and the area is much safer, but using caution and going with a guided group is still advised. The cost is only about $10 anyway.
From the church in San Francisco, walk south along the trail. Turn left at a cement-bock house. After that, stay on the main trail to the summit of Pacaya. There are many campsites near the top, but don't sleep right on the crater rim or you could get bombed by hot lava at night!
Red Tape
There are no permits required,but there is a small fee to visit the active crater.
When To Climb
From late November through March is the dry season and the best time to climb.
Camping
Many people sleep below the crater rim to watch mother natures fireworks show at night, but don't sleep right on the crater rim or you could get bombed by hot lava at night!
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Mountain Conditions
The following links work sporatically:
Activity
Activity
Credits
Much of this information is from my climbing partner, Mike Kelsey who wrote the highly recommended Climbers and Hikers Guide to the Worlds Mountains. Mike climbed this peak in February 1994.
Adoption/Useful Information
Do you have any information that might be useful to the mountain page? If so, feel free to add it. If you have much more information and would even be willing to adopt the page, and can spend the time to maintain it, please let me know.
Images
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