Guatemala Guide
Around Antigua
Volcán de Agua
Agua is the easiest and by far the most popular of Guatemala's big cones to climb, and on Saturday nights dozens of people spend the night at the summit. It's an exciting ascent with a fantastic view to reward you at the top. The trail starts in nearby Santa María de Jesús – to reach it, head straight across the plaza, between the two aging pillars, and up the street opposite the church doors. Take a right turn just before the end, and then continue past the cemetery and out of the village. From here on it's a fairly simple climb on a clear (often garbage-strewn) path, cutting across the road that goes some of the way up. The climb takes five to six hours, and the peak, at 3766m, is always cold at night. There is shelter (though not always room) in a small chapel at the summit, and the views certainly make it worth the struggle.Sadly, there have been (very occasional) robberies of hikers reported on the outskirts of Santa María in recent years, so before starting an ascent it's safest to check out the situation first at Inguat in Antigua or consider going with a group tour).