Watch Fuego Volcano erupt lava into the night sky from your own campsite at 3,750 metres. Wake before dawn, summit at 3,976 metres, and witness a sunrise above the clouds you will never forget.
Tropicana has been running the Acatenango hike since 2014. After guiding more than 100,000 travellers up this volcano, we know every metre of it. Our INGUAT-certified local guides are from La Soledad — the village at the base of the volcano. This is their mountain. Thanks to the tours they run with us, they now earn 100% of their income from guiding — about 8x what they previously earned farming. When you hike with Tropicana, you’re directly supporting the local community.
Everyone is welcome to join — you don’t need to be staying at the hostel. 🙂
🏕️ Same volcano. Same guides. Want more comfort?
The Acatenango tour includes:
| Equipment (Cabin, sleeping bag, mat) BLANKET · PILLOWS · SHARED CABINS |
| Guides — all our guides are local, INGUAT-certified, and from the community of La Soledad. The trek provides 100% of their annual income. |
| Breakfast before you leave (Pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh cheese, bread, and fruit). |
| Lunch: Chicken wrap, ranch dressing, homemade brownie, and apple. (Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Lactose Intolerant options available). |
| Hot dinner cooked at camp on top of the volcano — noodle dish with vegetables and chicken noodle soup. Special menus available for all dietary requirements. |
| Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate · Marshmallows for roasting at the campfire |
| 4 litres of water included. |
| Private transport to and from the base of the volcano. |
| Warm clothing included (jacket, gloves, and hat). |
| Free luggage storage at the hostel for anything you don’t want to carry uphill. |
| Free shower and towel when you return — no extra cost. |
| Park entrance and camping fee included. |
Things you need to bring:
| Warm clothes — temperature at night is 2–5°C. Jackets, gloves, and hats are included. Backpack and shoes are available to rent. |
| Hiking shoes or boots available for rental in all sizes. |
| Extra snacks — nuts or chocolate for energy on the ascent. |
| Headlamp for the early morning summit push. |
| Medium backpack available for rental at the hostel. |
What Our Hikers Say
1,313 Google reviews — Tropicana Travel Agency
Here are 12 of them, in their own words:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6 reviews · 3 weeks ago · Google Review
I booked the Acatenango hike with Tropicana Hostel and had an amazing experience. The guides were organized, supportive, and made the hike feel safe even when it got challenging. The campsite views of Volcán Fuego erupting were unreal, and the cabins, food, and overall setup exceeded my expectations. Definitely a social vibe with lots of travelers, and everything was very well coordinated from start to finish. Highly recommend for anyone doing Acatenango!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 20 reviews · 4 months ago · Google Review
Very pleasantly surprised with my hike to Acatenango. Food was nice and we were given a good amount of snacks and water too. The 6 guides were very friendly and great at giving us nice long breaks in the shade and keeping the group together. I appreciated their briefs before and throughout the experience. The view from the base camp was perfect and I was warm in the cabins overnight. All hostel staff were great at answering questions when booking and the morning of the hike.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 10 reviews · 4 months ago · Google Review
I was unprepared for this trip — not in the equipment, but the mental and physical part. I have hiked before but nothing like this. I struggled, but I had Ceriol. He talked me through it, he kept encouraging me, he shared his water with me when I lost mine. He was so amazing. All of the guides were great with me. I cannot praise him enough. This was an amazing trip. I recommend this team to anyone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3 reviews · 7 months ago · Google Review
Hands down one of the best experiences of my life! The tour was perfectly organised: since the moment we got to Tropicana Hostel we were told step by step what to do and we were provided with everything we needed. Our guides (Santiago, Luis and Willy) were amazing and supported us all the way through the hike and provided us with great food. 10/10 experience, highly recommend!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3 reviews · 8 months ago · Google Review
We had a very good experience! Everything was very organized, they thought of all the things needed for the travel. The guides were amazing, always encouraged us that we are capable of doing this! They definitely made this hike an experience that we will never forget.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 41 reviews · 7 months ago · Google Review
Best experience of my life. The hike was tough but definitely worth it. If you are a volcano lover just do it. The tour was very well organised and the guides were friendly and helpful. Food provided was of good quality and quantity. The night stay was great to see sunrise and sunset as well.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 16 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone! Although the hike was very challenging, the guides were incredibly kind, friendly, and attentive. The coffee, chocolate, marshmallows, wine, and all the food they prepared were absolutely delicious. When I got a headache from the altitude, the guides checked in on me regularly. Special shoutout to Henry and Moises! Be prepared for a tough hike — but the breathtaking views make it all worth it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 16 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
One of the best experiences of my time backpacking. The tour from start to finish was run perfectly. The tour guides were fantastic and the food was great! We had some fantastic weather and saw eruptions all afternoon and night and also the next day! Definitely use Tropicana to book your tour. We will be back!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 9 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
The Volcano tour with Tropicana was amazing!! Our views were beautiful (we saw SO much for rainy season!), the guides were super helpful and took breaks when we needed. The accommodation was nice and cozy, vegetarian food was delicious and overall it was just awesome. I definitely recommend booking through this company.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide · 12 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
Super experience. Super organisation. And very good guides. I recommend. (If you dare doing also the nocturnal hike to Fuego — take into consideration that it is extremely demanding. Really for people who are well prepared.)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
From the second we arrived at Tropicana the organisation was great! You can choose 3 items for clothing free of charge which is amazing and you can also hire hiking boots and a bag if needed. We got really lucky with the weather and had an unforgettable experience with our tour guides and other people on the tour! 10/10 best experience!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2 reviews · 1 year ago · Google Review
I am very grateful to Tropicana for the service they gave me. It was an incredible walk — the view above the volcano has no comparison. The service of the workers and guides is excellent, they have an incredible charisma from the moment you arrive at the hostel. Thank you very much for this beautiful experience in Guatemala.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 2–3 days in advance, especially in high season (December–March). VIP and Flashpacker cabins sell out fastest.
Does the price include the park entrance fee?
Yes. Unlike many operators in Antigua, we include the Q100 park entrance and camping fee in all our packages. No surprises at the gate.
Can I do the hike if I’ve never hiked before?
Yes, as long as you’re in reasonable physical condition. Many first-time hikers complete the Acatenango hike with us every week. Our guides are experienced at supporting beginners and will set a pace that works for everyone in the group.
How difficult is the Acatenango hike?
Moderate to difficult. The trail is steep and the altitude (nearly 4,000 metres) makes every step harder than it would be at sea level. That said, you don’t need to be an athlete — you need to be able to walk uphill for several hours carrying a daypack. If you can do that, you can do this hike.
What about altitude sickness?
Altitude affects everyone differently. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Our guides watch every hiker throughout the day and will adjust your pace if needed. We recommend spending 1–2 days in Antigua first to acclimatise.
Is it safe?
Acatenango is an inactive volcano — it hasn’t erupted since 1925. Fuego, the neighbouring active volcano, erupts regularly but at a safe distance from the trail and campsite. All Tropicana guides are trained in first aid and carry emergency equipment.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Tropicana is pet friendly. Let us know when you book.
What if I need to turn back?
No one is ever pressured to continue. Your safety is always the priority. Our guides will assess the situation and assist any hiker who needs to descend early.
What languages do your guides speak?
All our guides speak Spanish. Most speak conversational to fluent English.
More questions? WhatsApp us at +502 4313 3215 — we’re available 7 days a week.
Urvi –
An amazing tour! The food provided by the hostel was really good and filling! Above all, our tour guides Miguel, Josue, Emilio and Manolo were the ones that made the hike a memorable experience for us. They were all so sweet, helpful and hardworking! They have a heart warming good bye speech at the end of our tour that left me in tears. Definitely book with them and ask for these specific tour guides!
J. Goffin –
We hiked booked the Acatenago tour for 4 people.
Lucas and his team were incredible. Ensured that every body was supported on the tour and provided an excellent service.
Views of fuego were excellent and I’d like to mention again that the guides were outstanding.
Austin Carman (New York) –
Amazing hike. Felt very safe with the tour guides. Brandon was a great leader.
Alison Craven –
Me and three of my friends did a private Acatenango tour through Tropicana Hostel. Our tour guide Ceci was everything we could have asked for and more. He was great about taking breaks when we needed on the ascent and continuously checking in to make sure we were feeling well due to the gain in altitude. When we arrived at the base camp, he ensured we had everything we needed to be comfortable in our little cabins. He made us chicken, potatoes and rice for dinner, which we all agreed was one of the best meals we have had during our time in Antigua and surrounding areas. He then started a fire and made us hot chocolate and we were able to roast marshmallows. He shared stories with us about the volcano and his town. Before we went to bed, he ensured we had all the sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows we needed. He made it clear that if we needed anything at all throughout the night or if we had any concerns that he was there to help. When we woke up to climb to the summit it was quite cloudy, he allowed us to make an informed decision about wether or not to climb to the summit or stay at the base camp to watch the sunrise. With his advice we ended up staying at the base camp and were able to watch the most beautiful sunrise without being disturbed by many clouds. He never made us feel pressured to make one decision over the other but was transparent about our choices and gave his professional advice. He made us a delicious breakfast and coffee in the morning before starting our descent back down. Thanks so much to Ceci for everything. That was such a memorable experience thanks to you and we all wish you the very best!!
Kelly Morales (verified owner) –
Once in a lifetime experience to hike to an active volcano and capture incredible memories. A tough hike, but well worth it. The tour guides were so friendly and helpful, making the trek even more enjoyable. A special thanks to Walter!
Chris Bonilla (verified owner) –
I did this hike back in November with my friend Jackie and genuinely BARELY finished this. It was a once in a lifetime experience but please be ready for the hardest thing you’ve ever done ! I struggled so hard and was so far behind my group but my guy Josue stuck by me there and back and genuinely motivated me to finish strong. If you want to do this hike and have a real helping hand, Tropicana is the way to go !!
Chris Bonilla (verified owner) –
Me and my friend Jackie did this back in November and honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. This is not a simple hike by any means but the views and the experience were like no other. Honestly I barely finished this and was so far behind my group but shoutout to my porter Josue (padrino) for motivating me and staying by my side there and back. Honestly without him I wouldn’t have the motivation to finish! Great hosts and great people would def recommend Tropicana to anyone wanting to do this hike !
Lily (verified owner) –
Very well thought out tour! They made sure we were prepared with everything we needed, and took care of lots of logistics. My guide Fernando stayed back with me when I was struggling to keep up with the group
Emma –
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hiking to an active volcano was challenging but incredibly rewarding, with unforgettable views and memories at every step. The trek itself is tough, but the sense of accomplishment at the top makes it 100% worth it. What really set this tour apart were the guides—knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely supportive the entire way. They kept the group motivated, safe, and smiling. I couldn’t recommend this tour company more.
Alice (verified owner) –
Excellent experience with Tropicana. The guides were wonderful and very attentive to the group. They even gave me altitude pills during the extra Fuego hike because I had forgotten to take mine. One guide also lent me his trekking poles after mine were stolen on the way down from Fuego.
They really do everything to make sure you have the best possible experience. The food was very good, both the lunch during the hike and the meals prepared at the top of the volcano in the evening and the next morning.
100% recommend!
Emmanuel Wole-Oke –
This was truly an incredible and once-in-a-lifetime experience. I can say unequivocally and without a doubt that the Tropicana tour guides were the best so far with their navigation, hiking, care, and overall professionalism. Of course, they left no one behind and provided motivation throughout the day and night. They also provided adequate nutrition, tools, and utilities to ensure the hike was successful. It’s best to mention that the hike was brutal and tough, but definitely possible once you get past your mental constraints (‘It’s all in your head’ – Santiago, one of the Tropicana guys). I enjoyed my tour and hike, and I will continue to appreciate the Tropicana tour guys for their contributions, effort, professionalism, and outstanding support for this experience.
Lily Leman (verified owner) –
So great!! Loved hiking with Tropicana and stayed a night at the hotel. All of the guides were amazing thank you Andi for always checking in on me when I was huffing and puffing my way up! Great experience had a blast