This was the first time I hiked a big volcano and I was so NOT prepared. Still, the views from the top were awesome. It was hard to get the tent pegs in because the ground is super rocky. My guide lit a fire using gasoline.
Scott - Mar 30, 2017 1:56 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2015
Santa Maria
Shaylee and I climbed Volcán Santa María with Carlos from Monte Verde Adventures. There were other people with us as well, and they were a good group, but a bit slower than we were.
The climb was a good one and moderately steep. The main reason why many people climb Santa María is to get a good look at the very active Santiaguito volcano. When we were on top Santiaguito was heard exploding, but the explosions were obscured by clouds. Eventually the clouds parted enough so that we could watch some eruptions. There were some interesting trees and birds seen on the way down.
gimpilator - Feb 20, 2017 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Jan 28, 2017
A Month Of Volcanoes
I spent a month climbing volcanoes. The day I climbed Santa Maria I was stricken with traveler's diarrhea. I had to stop 4 times before reaching the summit. Up top we watched Satiaguito erupt. It sounded like a jet engine.
Other peaks I bagged on this trip include...
Mexico:
Volcán La Malinche, Cofre de Perote, Pico de Orizaba (country highpoint, 3rd highest in North America), Volcán Iztaccíhuatl, Pico de Aguila, Nevado de Toluca, Cerro de Ombugo, Pico de Humboldt, Nevado de Colima, Cerro Tancitaro
Guatemala:
Volcán Pacaya, Volcán Tajumulco (country highpoint, 24th most prominent peak on earth), Volcán Concepción, Volcán Tacaná (2nd highest in Central America), Cerro Chemal "La Torre", Cerro Chemal "Cerro los Cuervos", Montañas Peña Blanca, Volcán Atitlán, Volcán Acatenango
Costa Rica:
Volcán Poás, Volcán Barva, Volcán Irazú, Cerro Chirripó (country highpoint, 36th most prominent on earth), Cerro Piramide, Cerro Terbi, Cerro Buenavista
vasilli - Nov 13, 2016 11:10 pm Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2016
Tough hike
Took a 30 min chicken bus ride from the Democracia Marker in Xela to Llanas del Pina (little village) for 2q. Bus stopped right at trail head (2500m). It's an easy path and you don't need a guide. I started at 10am and top was already in clouds. Met lots and lots of locals descending (all w/ lots of heavy camping gear).
Took me 2.5 hrs to get up (i was pushing it pretty hard) w/ a small day pack. 30 min at the top to rest. No view b/c of clouds. One hour down, ran some sections.
Completely pooped after the climb. Ate at a local restaurant. Then took a chicken bus back to Xela. Took a taxi for 150q (return trip w/ waiting) to the Fuentes Georginas hot springs (50q) which was an amazing end of the day.
Shaylee - Jan 10, 2015 6:59 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2015
Santa Maria
1-1-15
zola - Aug 13, 2014 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2014
Don't start too late
Left Parque Central area in Xela around 8:40 but didn't get out to Llano del Pinal till 10:45. If you want to get there taking the chicken bus to Llano del Pinar, you find the bus on the south side of Minerva, not the Terminal where most of the buses are. Also, you could probably get the bus from in front of the Cemetery if you're closer to that end of town, which would save you more time. Note that getting dropped of from Llano del Pinal will take you toward a trail approaching from the northeast of the volcano, so you will veer right to get to the main summit trail junction.
It was a nice 3-hour walk to the summit. I got a few great views on the way up and way down, and had a partially obscured view south of the Pacific and Rio Dulce. Couldn't see Santiaguito at all, and there were a couple rainy stretches both ascending and descending. Will go again as it is so close.
Socorro - Oct 20, 2011 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2009
Perfect views
Up there a few nights to see many awesome eruptions.
Fun climb. Witnessed an eruption of Santiaguito, which was very impressive. You can see all of the other volcanoes in Guatemala oriented in a straight line from the summit. I thought that was kind of amazing. There were mayans on the summit fully prostrated, performing rituals of worship. It is a very sacred place for them. Passed dozens of mayans on the way down. The climb is 1240 meters from the parking area in the nearby town to the summit. We did it in 3 hours, arriving at the summit around 8:30am. The pace was a bit difficult for me (my guide reached the top about 15 minutes ahead of me), but a great walk-up hike.
bighornmonkey - Mar 7, 2011 11:30 am Date Climbed: Feb 27, 2011
great views of Santiaguito
Summited Volcan Santa Maria the same day we did Tajumulco.
We camped on the summit and had great views of active volcan Santiaguito below. 3 hours to summit from the village of Llano de Pinal (2 Quetzales -one way- by bus from Xela).
No security issue to report.
Bergrot - Dec 22, 2010 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2010
Lunar eclips
Climbed with quetzaltrekkers during a total lunar eclipse.
With acclimatization it is an easy 3-4 hours climb through the forrest. Started from Llano del Pinal at midnight and arrived 4am at the top.
Santiaguito was not as active as in the past, but some lava is visible on its top. Had a 2min outburst at night with some magma bubbling an a 1000m high ash cloud. Very fascinating to see this show under illumination of a full moon. Afterwards no further eruptions.
Had a great sunrise through the eruption fumes of Volcan Fuego in the East. Shadow of Santa Maria was pointing to the setting full moon.
Tim Geerlings - May 25, 2010 6:38 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2010
Great Climb!
Very enjoyable climb... I would recommend a guide if you haven't climbed it before, or at the least make sure to read up, as there's one necessary turn that you probably wouldn't guess without someone who knows the trail. Nice day hike!
Whilst I successfully reached the summit of Volcan Santa Maria back in December 2006, I was very disappointed with the weather as the main reason for going up was to view the active Santiaguito Lava Dome from above.
TrevorMarrs - Dec 23, 2008 5:53 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2008
No View
Interesting climb though cloud cover prevented view!!
BLong - Oct 6, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2008
Santa Marica
One of my favorite climbs. Culture, views, and steep hiking all in a great trip. It can be done as a day trip or a great overnight trip. Get up top early to see Santiago erupting. I have climbed it 5 times.
mmcguigan - Apr 27, 2008 10:20 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2008
Awesome
Great climb up through beautiful pine forests. Guatemala recently did some significant trail improvements making the hike much more accessible. Views from the top are stunning when there are no clouds. Be prepared for lots of graffiti on the rocks.
Baarb - Jan 28, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2009
Windy
Camped on the summit for some days in 2007 and 2009. Awesome views when it's not cloudy, with some nice incandescence at night. Sometimes there can be a strong and relentless wind, make sure you have a stable tent!
Yvonne - Apr 7, 2022 8:43 am
First Big Volcano!This was the first time I hiked a big volcano and I was so NOT prepared. Still, the views from the top were awesome. It was hard to get the tent pegs in because the ground is super rocky. My guide lit a fire using gasoline.
Scott - Mar 30, 2017 1:56 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2015
Santa MariaShaylee and I climbed Volcán Santa María with Carlos from Monte Verde Adventures. There were other people with us as well, and they were a good group, but a bit slower than we were.
The climb was a good one and moderately steep. The main reason why many people climb Santa María is to get a good look at the very active Santiaguito volcano. When we were on top Santiaguito was heard exploding, but the explosions were obscured by clouds. Eventually the clouds parted enough so that we could watch some eruptions. There were some interesting trees and birds seen on the way down.
gimpilator - Feb 20, 2017 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Jan 28, 2017
A Month Of VolcanoesI spent a month climbing volcanoes. The day I climbed Santa Maria I was stricken with traveler's diarrhea. I had to stop 4 times before reaching the summit. Up top we watched Satiaguito erupt. It sounded like a jet engine.
Other peaks I bagged on this trip include...
Mexico:
Volcán La Malinche, Cofre de Perote, Pico de Orizaba (country highpoint, 3rd highest in North America), Volcán Iztaccíhuatl, Pico de Aguila, Nevado de Toluca, Cerro de Ombugo, Pico de Humboldt, Nevado de Colima, Cerro Tancitaro
Guatemala:
Volcán Pacaya, Volcán Tajumulco (country highpoint, 24th most prominent peak on earth), Volcán Concepción, Volcán Tacaná (2nd highest in Central America), Cerro Chemal "La Torre", Cerro Chemal "Cerro los Cuervos", Montañas Peña Blanca, Volcán Atitlán, Volcán Acatenango
Costa Rica:
Volcán Poás, Volcán Barva, Volcán Irazú, Cerro Chirripó (country highpoint, 36th most prominent on earth), Cerro Piramide, Cerro Terbi, Cerro Buenavista
Trip report with photos and video
vasilli - Nov 13, 2016 11:10 pm Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2016
Tough hikeTook a 30 min chicken bus ride from the Democracia Marker in Xela to Llanas del Pina (little village) for 2q. Bus stopped right at trail head (2500m). It's an easy path and you don't need a guide. I started at 10am and top was already in clouds. Met lots and lots of locals descending (all w/ lots of heavy camping gear).
Took me 2.5 hrs to get up (i was pushing it pretty hard) w/ a small day pack. 30 min at the top to rest. No view b/c of clouds. One hour down, ran some sections.
Completely pooped after the climb. Ate at a local restaurant. Then took a chicken bus back to Xela. Took a taxi for 150q (return trip w/ waiting) to the Fuentes Georginas hot springs (50q) which was an amazing end of the day.
Shaylee - Jan 10, 2015 6:59 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2015
Santa Maria1-1-15
zola - Aug 13, 2014 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2014
Don't start too lateLeft Parque Central area in Xela around 8:40 but didn't get out to Llano del Pinal till 10:45. If you want to get there taking the chicken bus to Llano del Pinar, you find the bus on the south side of Minerva, not the Terminal where most of the buses are. Also, you could probably get the bus from in front of the Cemetery if you're closer to that end of town, which would save you more time. Note that getting dropped of from Llano del Pinal will take you toward a trail approaching from the northeast of the volcano, so you will veer right to get to the main summit trail junction.
It was a nice 3-hour walk to the summit. I got a few great views on the way up and way down, and had a partially obscured view south of the Pacific and Rio Dulce. Couldn't see Santiaguito at all, and there were a couple rainy stretches both ascending and descending. Will go again as it is so close.
Socorro - Oct 20, 2011 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2009
Perfect viewsUp there a few nights to see many awesome eruptions.
owenel - Jul 4, 2011 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2011
Nice view of eruptionFun climb. Witnessed an eruption of Santiaguito, which was very impressive. You can see all of the other volcanoes in Guatemala oriented in a straight line from the summit. I thought that was kind of amazing. There were mayans on the summit fully prostrated, performing rituals of worship. It is a very sacred place for them. Passed dozens of mayans on the way down. The climb is 1240 meters from the parking area in the nearby town to the summit. We did it in 3 hours, arriving at the summit around 8:30am. The pace was a bit difficult for me (my guide reached the top about 15 minutes ahead of me), but a great walk-up hike.
bighornmonkey - Mar 7, 2011 11:30 am Date Climbed: Feb 27, 2011
great views of SantiaguitoSummited Volcan Santa Maria the same day we did Tajumulco.
We camped on the summit and had great views of active volcan Santiaguito below. 3 hours to summit from the village of Llano de Pinal (2 Quetzales -one way- by bus from Xela).
No security issue to report.
Bergrot - Dec 22, 2010 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2010
Lunar eclipsClimbed with quetzaltrekkers during a total lunar eclipse.
With acclimatization it is an easy 3-4 hours climb through the forrest. Started from Llano del Pinal at midnight and arrived 4am at the top.
Santiaguito was not as active as in the past, but some lava is visible on its top. Had a 2min outburst at night with some magma bubbling an a 1000m high ash cloud. Very fascinating to see this show under illumination of a full moon. Afterwards no further eruptions.
Had a great sunrise through the eruption fumes of Volcan Fuego in the East. Shadow of Santa Maria was pointing to the setting full moon.
Tim Geerlings - May 25, 2010 6:38 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2010
Great Climb!Very enjoyable climb... I would recommend a guide if you haven't climbed it before, or at the least make sure to read up, as there's one necessary turn that you probably wouldn't guess without someone who knows the trail. Nice day hike!
RazorRen - Mar 13, 2010 11:03 am
A steep climb all the wayWhilst I successfully reached the summit of Volcan Santa Maria back in December 2006, I was very disappointed with the weather as the main reason for going up was to view the active Santiaguito Lava Dome from above.
TrevorMarrs - Dec 23, 2008 5:53 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2008
No ViewInteresting climb though cloud cover prevented view!!
BLong - Oct 6, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2008
Santa MaricaOne of my favorite climbs. Culture, views, and steep hiking all in a great trip. It can be done as a day trip or a great overnight trip. Get up top early to see Santiago erupting. I have climbed it 5 times.
mmcguigan - Apr 27, 2008 10:20 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2008
AwesomeGreat climb up through beautiful pine forests. Guatemala recently did some significant trail improvements making the hike much more accessible. Views from the top are stunning when there are no clouds. Be prepared for lots of graffiti on the rocks.
Baarb - Jan 28, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2009
WindyCamped on the summit for some days in 2007 and 2009. Awesome views when it's not cloudy, with some nice incandescence at night. Sometimes there can be a strong and relentless wind, make sure you have a stable tent!
Fabrice.Rimlinger - Nov 17, 2006 9:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2005
CuidadoSuccessfull climb... but I came down without my backpack ! Somebody stole it ! Great view over erupting santiaguito.