GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala - page 103

fering the trip are almost entirely based in the old colonial city. It's possible to make the
trip on your own, though going in a group with a local guide is highly recommended.
The volcano's national park status dates to 2001. A visitors center and ticket booth can
be found at the trailhead in the village of San Francisco de Sales. Admission to the park is
$5. You can also hire a guide here. There is safe parking for vehicles in San Francisco de
Sales and the well-maintained trail has good signage, rest stops with trash receptacles, and
outhouses. The trails are patrolled by park rangers and incidents of robbery, which once
plagued this otherwise wonderful place, have become virtually unheard of in recent years.
To get here on your own steam, follow the CA-9 highway past Amatitlán to a signed
turn-offatKm.37.5.HeadeasteightkilometerstothevillageofSanVicentePacaya,where
you'll find the park entry station and information center. The road continues from here an-
other 10 kilometers to San Francisco de Sales (turn left at the fork in the road just past San
Vicente Pacaya). Foranexcellent mapdetailing therouteofascent, seetheinteractive map
online at Mapas de Guatemala ( www.mapasdeguatemala.com/mapas ) .
Return to HIGHLIGHTS
Guide Companies
Recommended companies include Old Town Outfitters (5a Avenida Sur #12C, tel.
5339-0440, www.bikeguatemala.com ,$30includinglunch),whichleavesearlierthanmost
other companies to avoid the crowds. Adrenalina Tours (5a Avenida Norte #31, tel.
7832-1108 or 5535-6831) leaves daily at 6 A.M. and 1 P.M. The trip costs $10-20 depend-
ing on whether or not you want a meal with your climb. The more expensive V.I.P. trip
has a four-person minimum and also includes the $5 park admission fee. For your standard
trip inthe $5-7vicinity,agoodoutfitter is Gran Jaguar Tours (4aCalle Poniente #30,tel.
7832-2712), leaving at 6 A.M. and 1 P.M.
See FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN
Accommodations and Food
Should you wish to spend the night in the area, Salamandras House (tel. [phone], sala-
[e-mail]) has a café, rooms for rent, and a Mayan sauna. It's also a spa
offering aroma and mud therapy and there are handicrafts for sale in the gift shop. Sala-
mandras House is located in San Francisco de Sales near the visitors center and trailhead.
Parque Natural Canopy Calderas
Three kilometers from San Francisco de Salas is the wonderful, privately owned Parque
NaturalCanopyCalderas(tel.[phone], www.parquenaturalcalderas.com ,8A.M.-6P.M.
daily, $10 admission), where you can explore a volcanic caldera. Activities on and around
the jungle-clad lagoon include cruising along a zipline through the forest canopy between
six platforms ($10), four-wheeling ($13 per hour), horseback riding ($8), mountain biking,