Pacaya Volcano ATV Adventure from Antigua: Ride volcanic trails

Ride volcanic terrain instead of hiking it

An ATV tour around Pacaya Volcano departing from Antigua that takes you on off-road trails, through petrified lava fields and past views of Calderas Lagoon and three neighboring volcanoes. You drive from San Vicente Pacaya through forest and volcanic sand, climb as high as you choose on the lava flow, and return the same day. The tour runs 8 hours total, includes ground transportation from Antigua, a bilingual guide, ATV rental, entrance fees and snacks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pacaya Volcano ATV Adventure

• Start tour at Antigua office
• Travel to San Vicente office
• Begin ATV tour near Pacaya Volcano
• Explore trails, villages, and lava fields
• Admire views of Calderas Lagoon and volcanoes
• Return to San Vicente office
• Drive back to Antigua office

What’s included

• Ground transportation from Antigua to San Vicente Pacaya and back.
• your own ATV to ride.
• a bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• entrance and parking fees.
• bottled water, Gatorade, chocolate, chips, cookies and a sandwich.

Times

• Every day 08:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 20 4 private ›

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 9 with pickup ›

Ages Adult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Simoon Rentals & Tours Panajachel

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

You start at the office in Antigua at 8:30am and drive to San Vicente Pacaya, where the ATV riding begins around 10am. From there, the trails branch into different routes around the volcano: some through wet forest, others across open lava fields and volcanic sand inside a private plantation. The Pacaya Volcano sits at roughly 2,500 meters above sea level and is one of Guatemala's most active, so the landscape shifts between dense vegetation and bare rock as you gain elevation.

The riding itself is the point. You'll navigate off-road trails that pass through villages at the volcano's base, then climb the petrified lava flow on foot as high as your fitness allows. The ATV gets you to the trailhead, but the final ascent is on foot. Along the way, you stop to take in views of Calderas Lagoon and the three neighboring volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. The tour does not enter San Vicente Pacaya National Park, so you're riding on private land and designated trails instead.

After the riding and hiking, you return to the office in San Vicente Pacaya and drive back to Antigua: normally about an hour depending on traffic. The package includes your ATV rental, a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish, all entrance and parking fees, bottled water, Gatorade, chocolate, chips, cookies and a sandwich. You'll need a valid driver's license to book and ride, and closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended for grip and comfort on the rugged terrain.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride my own ATV on this tour around Pacaya Volcano?

Yes, the tour includes an ATV for you to ride yourself. You'll need a valid driver's license, and the ATV rental is part of the package. Youth with a driver's license can operate their own machine but must book at the adult rate.

What volcanoes will I see on this ATV tour?

From the trails around Pacaya Volcano, you'll have views of Calderas Lagoon and three neighboring volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. The tour is built around Pacaya itself, which is one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes at approximately 2,500 meters above sea level.

Do I have to hike, or is it all riding?

The ATV takes you to the base of the petrified lava flow on Pacaya's side, then you hike up the lava as high as you're able to go on foot. The rest of the day is riding through trails, forests and volcanic sand, so it's a mix of both.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes ground transportation from Antigua to San Vicente Pacaya and back, your ATV rental, a bilingual guide, entrance and parking fees, and snacks: water, Gatorade, chocolate, chips, cookies and a sandwich. Lunch itself is not included.

What time does the ATV tour start and end?

You leave Antigua at 8:30am, and the ATV riding begins around 10am in San Vicente Pacaya. After the tour, you drive back to Antigua, arriving roughly 8 hours after departure depending on traffic on the return.

What should I wear for this ATV adventure?

Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended for comfort and grip on the rugged volcanic terrain: sandals are not suitable. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dusty, and bring sunscreen and a hat for the exposed lava fields.