| If geography classes never used to excite you, | | | | finally the volcanic zone to the very summit. |
| Guatemala will change all that. Sitting on the boundary | | | | 2) Agua |
| between two tectonic plates, the country is host to | | | | Looming over the pretty colonial town of Antigua, a |
| over 30 volcanoes of all shapes, sizes and states of | | | | climb up this volcano is recommended for spectacular |
| activity. If you ever wanted to see what the inside of | | | | views. Hiking time is about 5 hours from Santa Maria |
| our planet is like and what happens when it decides to | | | | de Jesus, or 2 hours from the end of road that climbs |
| make an appearance, Guatemala is for you. From the | | | | partway to the top. |
| thrill seeking adrenaline junkies that want to stand next | | | | 3) Atitlan |
| to flowing lava to those wanting to see the lush | | | | The tallest of the three volcanoes dominating the |
| tree-covered volcanic slopes rising above the | | | | stunning lake with which it shares its name, Atitlan's |
| gorgeous Lake Atitlan, there's something for everyone. | | | | summit takes about 8 hours to reach; the reward is a |
| Active volcanoes - Bubbling Hot | | | | breathtaking view of the world's most beautiful lake |
| If you want to feel like you're inside a National | | | | and Guatemala's Pacific coast. |
| Geographic Channel episode, you couldn't go wrong | | | | Extinct volcanoes - Just Big Hills |
| with a visit to the following active volcanoes. | | | | Their glory days as unstoppable forces of nature may |
| 1) Pacaya | | | | be gone, but the volcanoes left by ancient activity still |
| Pacaya is an active volcano located within easy reach, | | | | have plenty to offer the visitor, especially in the way of |
| just 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Guatemala City. | | | | flora and fauna left undisturbed by any activity. |
| A short hike brings visitors to the summit, where they | | | | 1) San Pedro |
| can observe eruptions of ash and lava at close range. | | | | Perhaps the most frequently photographed of all |
| Some even return with stories of how walking over | | | | Guatemala's volcanoes, San Pedro's beautiful cone |
| the upper slopes melted the soles of their shoes... | | | | seems to rise from the waters of Lake Atitlan. The |
| 2) Fuego | | | | hike to the top takes about 4 hours, and while visitors |
| Constantly spewing small ash clouds, this monstrous | | | | will not get great views due heavy vegetation on the |
| volcano's last major eruption occurred in 1974. To hike | | | | summit, the crater serves as refuge for rarely |
| up barren slope is grueling, and most visitors will be | | | | encountered species of plants and animals. |
| content to admire Fuego's beauty from the safety of | | | | 2) Toliman |
| Antigua's cobblestone streets. | | | | One of the three volcanoes, along with Atitlan and San |
| 3) Santiaguito | | | | Pedro, that forms the natural dam holding in Lake |
| The most dangerous volcano in Central America, | | | | Atitlan, Toliman has its own delights to offer. A small |
| Santiaguito first erupted on Volcano Santa Maria's | | | | group of rare Horned Guans survives in the forest |
| southern flank in 1922. It constantly spews spectacular | | | | near the summit and hikers should plan on camping out |
| ash clouds and lava, and may be safely observed | | | | for a good chance of sighting the birds. |
| from nearby Santa Maria's summit. The hike to the top | | | | 3) Cerro de Oro |
| of Santa Maria takes about 4 hours and camping on | | | | A smaller volcano on the south side of Lake Atitlan |
| the summit is recommended, to witness a spectacular | | | | provides an interesting mix of geography and history, |
| nighttime lava show from Santiaguito below. | | | | having once contained a Mayan fortress in its crater. |
| Dormant volcanoes - Keeping Us Guessing | | | | Getting to know the varied and spectacular geography |
| They can't promise booming gas eruptions or spewing | | | | of Guatemala will undoubtedly be an adventure, but |
| lava, but these volcanoes are just as impressive to | | | | that doesn't mean you should take unnecessary risks. |
| visit. | | | | If the lure of the active volcanoes should take your |
| 1) Acatenango | | | | fancy, ensure that you book a tour with a reputable |
| Acatenango's last eruption was in 1972, so you can | | | | and responsible agency that provides you with a |
| climb all the way to the summit without dodging lava | | | | professional guide. This way you'll make sure that you |
| flows. One of the most beautiful and varied hikes | | | | will have nothing but incredible memories and photos of |
| available, you'll pass through entirely different | | | | some of the most incredible and unique experiences |
| ecosystems on the way to the summit. First farmland, | | | | that Latin America has to offer. |
| then cloud forest followed by high alpine forest and | | | | |