Santa María

Stunning!
2 days trekking was amazing! We were the only ones sleeping at the top. Sunset and sunrise at the top only for us!!

The Hike was challenging but definitely doable in under 4 hours. Be there before 6 as clouds will cover the incredible view from the summit after 10 am. Definitely worth the climb. Lots of chips bags and plastic bottles on the trail.

A fairly aggressive walk up, but if you have a clear day and catch an eruption on Santiguito, its definitely worth it.

3,772 m.n.m.p. - this is my record of the highest peak :)
We entered there without the guide. It was hard but the views compensate it. Unfortunately there was no ceremony at the time.

A beautiful hike, definitely worth the it for the views!
Took 2.5 hours up and nearly 3 hours down. It gets insanely muddy once the sun comes up, took quite a while to get down because of that. Recommend a hiking pole.

Get to the top by 9:30am because at 10 clouds will start to roll over the volcano below. There is a split in the rout along the wide rout that is used by the local cattle at around 2km in. The split goes off to the left and isn't marked. If you use AllTrails.com then you should have no problem. I highly suggest you bring at least one hiking pole as the top gets really slippery in the muddy areas. Also your knees will thanks you for it.

Wow in fact one of the most beautiful view you will ever see, too cold but worth it.

The view on Volcan Santiaguito is stunning, it explodes often with brute force, nothing quite like it to see from so close

It is indeed an amazing place to visit, because you don't imagine you'll find so many nice destinations one after another and the beauty of it all is that you don't need a whole lotta money to go there.

If you into volcanos and stuff this is a must visit place! Amazing nature connection and fresh air with a lot of history!

the view is stunning and the volcano is easy to climb

If you motivate yourself to summit you will never regret it. We did it in about 4.5 hours, starting the walk up at midnight. Summit is at 12,375 feet, the trail starts at around 8,000. The walk up is somewhat demanding. You will need to be in decent shape and should probably have a plan if you get hurt. Armed guard/guide is recommended. We were not prepared for the cold (probably about 15-20° F) but fortunately there was a religious group of about 30 people under a canvas tarp at the top. We climbed right in with them and they took us in without blinking or saying a word. We huddled together with strangers singing and reading from the bible. The cold was still more than we planned for even as the sun came up. When I do it again, I will leave around noon and bring enough clothing to sleep outside at the summit. Definitely make sure you see the best sunrise you will ever experience. It's difficult to describe being able to see so many volcanos at the same time along with the giant shadow of the volcano you are standing on top of. There was very little conversation among those present. Bring some gear and stay as long as you can. If you pack it in pack it out. Vaya con Dios.

A dangerous Central American volcano that produced the third largest eruption of the 20th century.

Santa María is one of the most prominent of a chain of large volcanoes that rise high above the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala. This chain is the result of the process of subduction as the Cocos oceanic plate slides beneath the Caribbean Plate. For much of recorded history, forest-covered Santa María has been quiet, but in October 1902, it erupted, tearing a huge crater in its southwestern flank and killing more than 5,000 people.

Activity today.
In 1922, a lava dome—a huge, mound-shaped mass of gray lava—began growing in the massive flank crater formed in the 1902 eruption. This has since developed into a complex of four overlapping domes. Right up to the present day, frequent eruptions have occurred from these domes, sometimes generating dangerous pyroclastic flows (see panel, p.89) or blasting plumes of ash to heights of a couple of miles. Smaller explosions occur almost daily and can be viewed from the summit of Santa María’s quieter main cone.

Medium to difficult hike but an amazing view from the top. You can see Tajumulco, acatenango, fuego, agua, atitlan...a bunch of volcanoes.

The best view of volcanoes in Guatemala. You can see the line of volcanoes to both sides from Tajumulco to Fuego.

Excellent details provided. I have hike six of these volcans!!!

A must see. Camp overnight and let the guide wake you just in time to watch the eruption....

I lived near to that volcano ❤❤🖤❤ my beautiful Guatemala my home 😑😑

Best geothermal power source.

Impressive and conical shaped.