Volcan de Agua
Volcan de Agua
4.5
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4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
35
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
4
SeeJay63
Liskeard, UK11 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Hiked this five times during my stay in Antigua. Take bus from Antigua to Santa Maria de Jesus and register at the tourist office in the corner of the main square. The buses are very regular, almost one after another, from Antigua bus station from 5am onwards, only 4Q one way. Your ticket to climb the mountain costs 40Q for foreigners. The office has a toilet. I was generally at the office about 6am and other hikers were already there. Arrange to share a guide to reduce cost if you wish but realise that you will be restricted to the slowest persons pace. A guide will cost you 200Q, and is advisable. I personally didn't use a guide thinking that a solo hiker would hardly be worth taking the trouble to rob. Additionally 200Q, although incredibly cheap seemed a lot just for me. I had no problems and heard of no incidents. I was very surprised to read the previous review as it would seem this happened during my stay. Everyone I met on the path was freindly and the climb is popular on Saturdays and Sundays. Couldn't say for weekdays. You should be at the crater within 3 to 5 hours. Great veiwpoints all the way up. Make the extra effort to carry on up the path past the crater to the very top for spectacular views of volcanos Acatanango and Fuego. (Clouds permitting). Struggled a bit towards the top with the altitude. In heavy cloud the path becomes wet and very slippy. The climb is achievable with a moderate level of fitness but by no means easy. Take an extra layer to stay warm at the top and a few coins for a coffee at the "Tienda" 2/3 of the way up. The descent is not as fast as some because it is steep and there is a lot of loose rocks so some care is needed. If hiking is your thing don't miss this one and the guide only costs the equivalent of a sandwich in Fort Lauderdale airport! Santa Maria is worth a look too, lot less gringos and more authentic, if somewhat dirtier, than Antigua. On a Saturday a meal of rice, veg and empanadas is no more than 10Q from the stalls in the main square and there's plenty of seating too. All in all a cracking day but don't plan anything too strenuous the day after!
Written 15 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Nov 2019
The majestic "Volcán de Agua" dominates the beautiful landscape around Antigua! Standing at 3,670 mts, it is the perfect backdrop for pictures at the famous "Arco de Santa Catalina", another major landmark of Antigua. The volcano has had no historical eruptions but, back in 1541, a devastating mudflow coming from it destroyed everything on its way. A lake has been formed at its crater and coffee is planted on its lower slopes. Hiking is possible, but at your own risk, as it is quite tiring and there are reviews relating sad happenings while climbing, envolving assaults and robbery. Great pictures - from afar - will mean fond memories to take home! Enjoy!
Written 20 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlito Tabor
New York City, NY2,219 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
I took so many photos of this volcano while visiting Antigua. You can see it from pretty much every street. Go to the arch way for the iconic volcano/arch photo. Be sure to get one with it above the arch and under. And, tip: if you want a photo without 500 people, you need to get there before 7am. Or just as the sun rises. As it gets crowded here quickly.
Written 14 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh C.
Guatemala City, Guatemala5 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Mynor (my hiking buddy) put it this way,
“The day before yesterday (Sunday, April 14, 2019) we were victims of an assault on the descent of the Water Volcano (Volcan de Agua)… six armed guys intercepted us on the way down, took our belongings and hit one of us with a machete. They shot in the air slightly above our heads with one of the two shotguns they carried… I’M REALLY UPSET… By the way things went…
In the municipality of Santa Maria de Jesus... they assigned us a person who gave us the guarantee of security who was named “Santiago” that same guy on the way up told us that he needed to go back to town and left us with his brother-in-law. This guy was arguably one of the thieves… on the descent he made his way toward the back of our group… and looked nervous… LISTEN he is the only one who lost nothing (oh, except his machete)… it appears there is cooperation between the municipality and the robbers… so when we got down we shared our experience with the leaders of the Municipality: they only responded with condolences and said maybe things will calm down in a couple of weeks (that is, they know and do nothing)… that’s why I’m making this public… I saw a lot of people on this volcano coming down with kids and women… Is there no danger here? To arrive at a place to enjoy the volcano? And take home a bad experience?... Everybody talks about what happens there but no one does anything about it?... our group consisted of a lady & 5 guys including a North American friend… that’s not counting the security and guide…
I hope no one was uncomfortable or offended by this post… but my intent is that this doesn’t happen to anyone that reads this, nor to anyone. I wish this will reach the eyes of the authorities to do something about it… I love the mountain and am against the fact that this volcano has become a nest of thieves who disturb visitors on its trails…
We’re grateful to God that we’re ok… but we’re ticked off that this happened…”
PS- I’m the “North American”
“The day before yesterday (Sunday, April 14, 2019) we were victims of an assault on the descent of the Water Volcano (Volcan de Agua)… six armed guys intercepted us on the way down, took our belongings and hit one of us with a machete. They shot in the air slightly above our heads with one of the two shotguns they carried… I’M REALLY UPSET… By the way things went…
In the municipality of Santa Maria de Jesus... they assigned us a person who gave us the guarantee of security who was named “Santiago” that same guy on the way up told us that he needed to go back to town and left us with his brother-in-law. This guy was arguably one of the thieves… on the descent he made his way toward the back of our group… and looked nervous… LISTEN he is the only one who lost nothing (oh, except his machete)… it appears there is cooperation between the municipality and the robbers… so when we got down we shared our experience with the leaders of the Municipality: they only responded with condolences and said maybe things will calm down in a couple of weeks (that is, they know and do nothing)… that’s why I’m making this public… I saw a lot of people on this volcano coming down with kids and women… Is there no danger here? To arrive at a place to enjoy the volcano? And take home a bad experience?... Everybody talks about what happens there but no one does anything about it?... our group consisted of a lady & 5 guys including a North American friend… that’s not counting the security and guide…
I hope no one was uncomfortable or offended by this post… but my intent is that this doesn’t happen to anyone that reads this, nor to anyone. I wish this will reach the eyes of the authorities to do something about it… I love the mountain and am against the fact that this volcano has become a nest of thieves who disturb visitors on its trails…
We’re grateful to God that we’re ok… but we’re ticked off that this happened…”
PS- I’m the “North American”
Written 17 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eirik1989
Trondheim, Norway33 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
This vulcano is know for beeing danerous, and its most certainly true.
We went on a mountainbikeride with Old Town Outfitters,
which supposedly is safe when you are biking because the
robbers (poor farmers) operating in the area arent able to
organize themselves before you are biking down the mountain again.
The six of us (3 guides and 3 norwegians) was stopped by 10 people
with machetes and a gun a couple of km away from Santa Maria.
They took us off the trail and into the forresten about 50 meters
and removed all our valuables, including the bikes.
They were violent against the guides (hitting with the machettes)
and fired the gun in the air, so not a pleasant experience.
In the aftermath, 2 of the robbers were arrested. (located using the find my iphone app).
According to the police there is about 25 criminals working in the area, meaning
there is about 23 left.
So, going without a armed police escort is plain stupid and not worth it.
I´d highly recommend the overnight hike to Vulcano Acatenango instead.
We went on a mountainbikeride with Old Town Outfitters,
which supposedly is safe when you are biking because the
robbers (poor farmers) operating in the area arent able to
organize themselves before you are biking down the mountain again.
The six of us (3 guides and 3 norwegians) was stopped by 10 people
with machetes and a gun a couple of km away from Santa Maria.
They took us off the trail and into the forresten about 50 meters
and removed all our valuables, including the bikes.
They were violent against the guides (hitting with the machettes)
and fired the gun in the air, so not a pleasant experience.
In the aftermath, 2 of the robbers were arrested. (located using the find my iphone app).
According to the police there is about 25 criminals working in the area, meaning
there is about 23 left.
So, going without a armed police escort is plain stupid and not worth it.
I´d highly recommend the overnight hike to Vulcano Acatenango instead.
Written 12 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Monterrey, Mexico2 contributions
May 2021
Presently, this is not a safe trip. Avoid it. We left from Santa Maria de Jesus and ascended about 1/10th of the way up. Our Guide (who was from Guatemala City and therefore not local) and we were then addressed by two walkie-talkie toting men and then told that we needed to pay a "park entry fee" for the Tourist Office. Our Guide responded that he had been up this mountain multiple times and have never had to pay such a fee. Our guide then asked them if if they would guarantee our security if we did pay, which they said they would not. We then proceeded up another 250 or 300 meters or so when a local woodcutter (we saw three of four) and his son advised us that there were armed thieves ("ladrones con pistoles") ahead and that we were not safe. We thanked him and turned around and headed down expeditiously. I observed another father and son, with the son atop a raised crucifix and the father using his cell phone to call and apparently report our position. I am not sure who was in on the shakedown/robbery possibility but I do want to leave this note to potentially ward off others from having a similar experience. Do stay away.
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oracle2018
Guatemala City, Guatemala1 contribution
Jan 2018 • Friends
Will keep this brief. Turned down a guide, bot robbed by masked dudes with machetes and a shotgun. "They" told us it had been three years since a similar incident, only to come home, google, and read about the elderly German hiker that was shot twice earlier in the year. I smell rats.
Written 1 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry Morrison
Los Angeles, CA131 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Took the bus from Antigua to Santa Maria to get to the base of Volcan Agua. It is a long, slow walk to the top. Four or five hours but on a clear day you can see forever and it is well worth it.
You sometimes hear stories about people being robbed, but I have make the walk to the top many times and never experienced any trouble.
You sometimes hear stories about people being robbed, but I have make the walk to the top many times and never experienced any trouble.
Written 10 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bex_LL
Cardiff, UK110 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes. The Volcano de Agua is one of the largest ones, which you can see from many different parts of the city. There are walking tours up this volcano, which can be arranged through local excursion companies. All are reasonably priced. I would suggest going with a tour where possible, rather than independantly, as I have heard of difficulties with locals approaching tourists whilst hiking up/down the volcano. There are also parts of this volcano where you can see glowing lava - it is an awesome sight to behold!!
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B J
2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
We hiked with some helpful locals going up the same time we were, so that worked out great. Either way, there are arrows that mark where to go and it's not that confusing. No fear of bandits or anything as there are locals hiking up and down throughout the day. You can get a guide if you're worried about getting lost.
How long does it take? If you're in good shape it should take 4 hours including some resting time. If you slow down the pace, it can be up to 6 hours. If it takes more than 6 hours, you need to hit the treadmill when you ge home. It's very rocky so it's not easy coming down either. If you are somewhat athletic and can parkour around the rocks and keep balance through the slippery mud, it should take about 2 hours. Always give yourself more time to be safe.
I was okay the whole time with pants and a t-shirt (I'm from Michigan). If you stop moving, your sweat dries and and the wind hits so it feels really cold. In that case, bring a long sleeve or sweatshirt.
How long does it take? If you're in good shape it should take 4 hours including some resting time. If you slow down the pace, it can be up to 6 hours. If it takes more than 6 hours, you need to hit the treadmill when you ge home. It's very rocky so it's not easy coming down either. If you are somewhat athletic and can parkour around the rocks and keep balance through the slippery mud, it should take about 2 hours. Always give yourself more time to be safe.
I was okay the whole time with pants and a t-shirt (I'm from Michigan). If you stop moving, your sweat dries and and the wind hits so it feels really cold. In that case, bring a long sleeve or sweatshirt.
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How can I contact the tour operator to ask several questions about the day trip?
Written 24 January 2018
You can contact a tour operator on tripadvisor webpage, and communicate directly with a tour's guide.
Written 17 September 2020
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