Santa María volcano has a smaller sister volcano joined together, volcano Santiaguito (2.510 meters). Santiaguito is active. It's smoking regularly and erupted again in 2002. Santa María volcano was active a few times in the twentieth century killing thousands of people in the Quetzaltenango area due to large eruptions and earthquakes. The normal route to climb it starts from the outskirts of Quetzaltenango city. The path up the cone through subtropical forest is very steep but not hard. The summit is a large area of rocks and boulders. Many people climb it, as the summit is also a place for Mayan ceremonies for local people.

Getting There

To reach the normal route you go from the city of Quetzaltenango from Zona 1 or from the bus terminal southwest bound to Llano del Pinal (7 km. by bus) or 1 km farther to Chicavioc settlement, which is on the northeastern base of the volcano. The climbing time to the top is 3 hours (some people within 1 hour) and the descending time is approximately 2 hours. From these settlements of small houses, farmland, a bus stop and a local shop you continue on the road towards the volcano. After a few minutes from Chicavioc the road will change into a path through steep farmland and into forests. After about an hour you reach a grassy pass surrounded by trees. At this point the volcano cone is on your right (west). You can miss it out easily as thick clouds could cover the cone completely and you would perceive the mist above the trees as open air. Leaving the grassy area by going to the west you will find the steep path without much problem.

When To Climb

During the dry season (November to April) climbing conditions on the last steep part of the climb will be much better, because the paths can easily become mudslides. Also the views will be better as thick clouds will cover complete volcano ridges and valleys.

Camping

There aren't any restrictions to camp in the forest or on top of the mountain. There aren't any huts or fees.

Mountain Conditions

Other than seismological information, it will be hard to get some up-to-date info on Santa María.
Casa Argentina, Diagonal 12, No 8-37, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, could help out. They also do hikes up Tajumulco volcano.

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