The city of Antigua, Guatemala has so much to offer for every type of traveler. From stunning volcano hikes and camping trips to a hobbit theme park with astonishing views. Although some travelers could consider Lake Atitlán a day trip, I strongly suggest giving this area at least 2 days for exploring for which I will share my itinerary in another post. In this post, I will cover the highlights and how to get to Hobbietenango, San Pedro las Huertas, and Pacaya Volcano.
Hobbietenango
Let’s begin with the closest day trip option from Antigua. Hobbietenango is an ecological theme park with cabins and restaurants. You might’ve guessed from the name that the park is inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Hobbit.” The park’s attractions and views draw in fans and non-fans alike. The entrance fee is 50 GTQ (about $6 USD) and covers everything!
- 5min transportation from the parking lot to the park located on the mountains
- Unlimited games of archery, ax throw, mini-golf, and more.
- Unlimited jumps from the giant swing at 2,500 meters high, which is about 8,200 ft! – this was my favorite!
- 12+ unique viewpoints overlooking the valley and mountains, some are large sculptures
- Access to the abundant picnic areas with live music on weekends
- Rest in the hammock garden
The possibilities are infinite! An entire day did not seem sufficient to explore this large theme park on the mountains. My top favorite things to do here, were definitely the swing, the views, and ax throwing! This last one has been on my bucket list for some time. Also, the food options were large and my vegetarian dish was delicious. The mixology menu looked very appealing as well.
Getting to Hobbietenango
There are many tours that can be booked from the city center that offer roundtrip transport. You can also take an Uber there but keep in mind that getting an Uber for the ride back will be difficult if not impossible. The cell signal is not the best in the park since it’s located high up in the mountains. Additionally, Ubers do not transit the area as much so expect a 20-30min wait time.
A great tour option is the ATV tour with Simoon Tours. My best experience in Guatemala was my tour with them on ATV at Lake Atitlán. I heard great things from other travelers about the tour they offer in the Antigua mountains that include Hobbietenango. Most tours also include the viewpoint of ‘Cerro de la Cruz’ (Hill of the Cross) which is a landmark in Antigua located on the way back down to the city from the mountain.
Some tours also include a stop at the green area of ‘El Hato’ either for breakfast or lunch at the eco-hotels. This area is located right before reaching Hobbietenango and also offers stunning views and activities such as ziplining in the mountains.
San Pedro las Huertas
San Pedro las Huertas is a charming town near Antigua. It’s a short 15min drive from Antigua’s city center. Walking these cobblestone streets can give you an idea of the authentic life of Guatemalan people. There are many artisan vendors in central park, as well as the landmark of the town, a giant tree. This tree is called esquisúchil o “Árbol del Hermano Pedro”(tree of brother Pedro). It is said that the white flowers from this tree have medicinal properties.
The town of San Pedro las Huertas also offers unique views of all 3 volcanoes. You can also visit other nearby picturesque small towns:
- Jocotenango
- Ciudad Vieja
- San Juan El Obispo
- San Cristóbal El Bajo
Pacaya Volcano
As you may already know, Guatemala has many volcanoes. There are 4 visible from Antigua, and these are Pacaya, Agua (Water), Fuego (Fire), and Acatenango. I will focus on the easiest volcano to hike and access from Antigua.
The national park where Pacaya Volcano is located is about an hour’s drive on a winding road from Antigua’s city center. A tour to Pacaya Volcano is a half-day trip. Morning tours are recommended by guides over sunset tours and I will explain why.
Guatemala is known for its constant rains, where mornings tend to be clear while evenings and nights can be rainy. Additionally, hiking down the steep trail is more dangerous at night, especially for untrained hikers. Another good reason for morning hikes is related to the clouds brought in the evening. These will most likely obstruct the view once the peak has been reached.
Getting to Pacaya Volcano
There are many agencies offering different types of tours to Pacaya. This can be overwhelming rather than informative. A good rule of thumb to follow when booking tours in Guatemala is that tours are more affordable when booked directly in the city, either at the agency’s office or your hotel. The same shuttle will pick up different travelers at their hotels, and I learned we all paid different amounts for the same tour. The most affordable morning tour I found was for $18 USD from my hotel when I had previously booked via Viator for $30 USD.
Beware of the pizza tours. These are expensive and the volcano has not been active since 2021, hence it will not be baked in lava as most descriptions claim. Although, most tours do end on a sweet note. The guide will roast marshmallows on small rock caves where the petrified lava stands.
Another option for a tour to Pacaya Volcano is to include the thermal baths in Kawilal. Keep in mind that you would have to carry all you need for the baths during the hike. If you take the tour with only the hike, there are food vendors at the exit of the park where you can also enjoy a well-deserved local beer.
Things to Know Before Hiking Pacaya Volcano
💲 100 GTQ (approx $12 USD) entrance fee. Bring cash.
🔝 2.8km roundtrip hike. Mostly steep.
🧭 You’ll get a guide with any tour.
🤢 The crater’s altitude is 8,372 ft above sea level. Be mindful of altitude sickness.
🐎 You can rent hiking sticks or horses at the location to facilitate the hike.
🥾 Shoes with good grippy soles are recommended.
🔆🌥️🌦️ Carry water, snacks, sunblock, and layers. The weather changes depending on the elevation.
🐾 There are many dogs roaming in the park. They’re peaceful and will help guide you at times. Bring snacks for them!
🔥 You’ll get roasted marshmallows on hot volcanic rock at the end of the hike.
💸 Booking through Hotels or agencies in the city is cheaper than online.
🌿 The guide might also provide a special leaf called ‘hoja de queso’ if you need to pee in the woods.
⚠️ If you need assistance, the men with the horses are very familiarized with the park.
The views are stunning and there are many places to rest along the way. It took our group about 2 hours roundtrip along with photo stops.
Useful Sites for Day Trips from Antigua
If you’re an outdoor explorer, you can book the 2-day hike with camping on Acatenango or other volcanoes. I found this site, volcanesdegautemala.com, to be very useful in providing relevant info about all of Guatemala’s volcanoes.
When booking shuttles to other areas of Guatemala, including the airport guatego.com offers incredible service and prices. They were very responsive, even when I booked my shuttle to the airport the night before. I received an email confirmation and they replied to Whatsapp messages promptly.
If you’re looking for inspiration on what to do while in Antigua, check out my blog post, An Authentic Weekend in Antigua Guatemala. I share details on how to move around, landmarks, where to eat, and Antigua’s nightlife.
Which day trip gets you more excited? Do you prefer to hike the volcano or explore Hobbietenango? Let me know in the comments below what your plans are during your visit to Antigua Guatemala. Whichever tour you decide, remember to enjoy every moment, and always BE PRESENT!