Volcan Ipala - Guatemala

Overview

Volcan de Ipala, is an extinct volcano located in eastern Guatemala 1650 mteres above sea level. Located in a warm region where the summer is extremly heat, no matter the time of the year. its summit stays fresh, sometimes a little colder because strong winds most of the year.

At the southern end is a small hill, Cerro Monterrico, with an altitude of 4215 feet (1285 m.). The town of Ipala is the starting point from which to approach the volcano and is just like going to the old west full of vaqueros.

An easy 1 or 2 hours hike from the car park to the creater which has a nice lagoon, then 15 minutes more to the top. There are several routes around with varying difficulty levels, but the famous ascent from Monjas is the easier.

Contains a deep green/blue lagoon (1493 meters above sea level and 600 mts diameter) a fantastic place to discover.



Next info is provided by BLong
IPALA A small volcano featuring a beautiful crater lake, easily accessible from eastern of Guatemala. Amenities include basic bathrooms, picnic tables, BBQ stands, and a dock heading into the lake (bring your own tent). Visiting the volcano would be a great way to spend a weekend with a group of people interested in getting into outdoors, but with limited experience.

The volcano is developed, including houses near the summit which sell leña. ADISO (Association Para el Desarrollo Integral Sostenible de Oriente adiso@mail1.intelnet.net.gt 7924-8030) handles visitors at the lake in a very sustainable and professional manner. I believe the project actually is an old Peace Corps project.
Volcán Ipala is briefly mentioned in the Guatemala Lonely Planet, and the Rough Guide. According to the Rough Guide to Guatemala “The lake is said to contain unique species of Mojarra Fish, which apparently has six prominent spines on its back,” although we will never know if it exists as ADISO doesn’t allow fishing.

For more information contact ADISO

Getting There

A)
From Guatemala City to Jutiapa via the CA1. Get to Asuncion Mita and from there collow the road to Santa Catarina Mita and then to Ipala. Just before reaching the small town of Ipala you will see the sign to the entrance at your right. It is visible from the road and it goes seeking the volcano. After 5 minutes you will reach the parking where you must leave your car.
B)
From Guatemala to Chiquimula, then get to Agua Blanca and follow the signs to get in the park at left dirty road.

The complete drive from Guatemala City is about 3 hours and a half in both direccions.

Next info is provided by BLong

C)
To access the trailhead, take a bus to Agua Blanca (a municipality in Jutiapa). From Agua Blanca make your way to the Aldea Sauce - the actual starting point for the trailhead. You can catch a pick-up to the Aldea, as pickups heading towards the Aldea and the volcano are fairly common. If you carry a lot of gear, you could actually get a ride within a 30 minute walk of the summit. If you plan on doing this, it may be the best option to pay for a halon from the center of Agua Blanca.

Alternatively, you could easily walk to the volcano in about 2 hours along a dirt road heading due north out of Agua Blanca. To do this, head towards the small hill visible just outside of Agua Blanca - Cerro Monte Rico. Pass the Cerro on the left, continuing straight towards the volcano. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions along the way.

While gun-toting Micro drivers may warn you about thieves and security issues on the volcano, we encountered nothing but incredibly nice people the entire trip. We left the Agua Blanca around 4:30 P.M., took a halon about half way up the road, and were able to make camp as the sun set. The volcano is developed, including houses near the summit which sell leña.

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Red Tape

Small fee to entrance to Lagoon just in the crater. aprox $1.50

Camping

The camping area is inside the creater, together to the lagoon. The volcano is developed, including houses near the summit which sell leña. ADISO (Association Para el Desarrollo Integral Sostenible de Oriente adiso@mail1.intelnet.net.gt 7924-8030) handles visitors at the lake in a very sustainable and professional manner. I believe the project actually is an old Peace Corps project.

External Links

Guatemala guides
Viaje Guatemala
Xplorandoguatemala in spanish
Email ADISO
adiso@mail1.intelnet.net.gt
My own site

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Images

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