Thinking about doing the Acatenango Volcano hike in Guatemala? Here’s everything I wish someone had told me before I went—all the good, the challenging, and the “wait, there’s no shower?” moments.

I did the hike in early April, which meant clear skies and amazing views. If you’re planning to go, timing matters—a lot. Rainy season might leave you wet, cold, and without that incredible sunrise view at the summit. So keep that in mind when planning!

Tour Details: Who I Booked With (And Why It Was Worth It)

I went with Tropicana, and honestly, I was impressed. The guides were friendly, organized, and handled a big group like pros.

You’ve got two cabin options:

• Q800 (~$100) for the 8-bed cabin
• Q720 (~$90) for the 15-bed backpacker cabin

For just Q80 more, having fewer people around made a big difference—totally worth the upgrade in my opinion.

The tour includes:

• A hearty breakfast before the hike
• Packed lunch
• Post-hike snack
• Hot dinner at camp
• Cocoa and marshmallows by the campfire
• Next morning breakfast (with surprisingly amazing banana bread)
• Transport to/from the base
• All gear rental coordination

Packing & Gear Tips: Learn From My Mistakes

When you arrive at the hostel around 7:30 AM, you’ll eat breakfast and choose three pieces of gear to rent (included in the price). Here’s what I recommend:

• Warm jacket (a must unless you already have one)
• Hat and gloves (YES, gloves—don’t be like me and pick pants instead. My hands were frozen during the sunrise hike)
• Scarf or buff to cover your mouth and nose – there’s a lot of loose dirt from all the hikers, and you’ll be breathing it in constantly

I also rented hiking boots at the hostel before we left. They cost Q50 and were absolutely worth it. My boyfriend wore sneakers and ended up with a bruised toe and shoes full of dirt. If you don’t have good hiking boots, rent them.

You’ll also want to bring:

• Q150 deposit for gear rental
• Q50 to rent walking sticks at the base (DO IT. Saved me from wiping out more than once)
• Q25 if you want a headlamp (smart choice for sunrise or Fuego night hike)
• Q5 per bathroom stop along the trail

Optional:

• Rent a backpack if you don’t have a proper one
• Porter service (Q250 per 10kg)—I skipped it, but some people were happy to hand off the weight

Pro tip: Bring at least Q500–600 in cash. You’ll need it for gear, snacks, bathrooms, and especially if you decide to do the Fuego Volcano night hike (Q200).

The Hike: Dusty Trails and Altitude Feels

We left the base around 11 AM. It was a big group—mostly 20–30 year olds—and while some people were ready to sprint, others were adjusting to the altitude or just tired from long travel days. The pace was consistent with lots of breaks (the first one after 15 minutes!), which made it manageable even if you’re not a hardcore hiker.

The hike took about 5.5 hours with frequent rests. A couple of people got altitude sickness—headaches, nausea—but they pushed through and made it to camp.

We arrived around 4:30 PM, and were welcomed with instant noodles (okay, not gourmet, but it hit the spot after 5+ hours uphill).

To Fuego or Not to Fuego?

After arriving at camp, the guides ask if you want to do the optional Fuego Volcano night hike. It costs Q200 cash, and they say it’s about 4 hours roundtrip—but our group didn’t get back until 11 PM.

Since the summit hike starts at 4:20 AM, some of the Fuego hikers were too wiped out to make it the next morning.

I chose to stay at camp, enjoy the fire, sip hot cocoa, and eat a hot dinner by 7:30 PM. The vegetarian meal was really good, and sitting by the fire under the stars was honestly the perfect end to a long day.

Sunrise Summit: Cold, Steep, and 100% Worth It

At 4 AM, we were up for the final push to the summit. It’s about 1.5 hours of steep, chilly climbing in the dark. I didn’t have a headlamp, but walked close to others who did. Still, it’s safer if you have your own.

The summit view? Incredible. Totally clear skies, a sea of clouds below, and views of Fuego puffing away in the distance. You’ll want gloves for this part—your fingers will be out taking pics, and they’ll go numb fast.

We stayed at the top for around 30–60 minutes before heading back to camp. Once there, we were greeted with warm porridge and some of the best banana bread I’ve ever had. No idea how they got it up there, but I’m not complaining.

Final Thoughts: Worth Every Quetzal

If you’re in Guatemala, don’t skip this hike. It’s tough, but manageable, even if you’re not super experienced. The views are unforgettable, the food was better than expected, and the guides work hard—so bring extra cash to tip them!

Just don’t expect:

• Showers
• Outlets (bring a power bank)
• Fluffy pillows (bring a good attitude and some wet wipes)

I usually avoid guided group tours, but this one? Totally worth it. The $100 covers everything, and what you get in return is one of the most memorable adventures in Central America.