Volcán Tacaná, Stratovolcano at Guatemala-Mexico border.

Volcán Tacaná is a stratovolcano on the border between Guatemala and Mexico in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. At 4092 meters, it is the second highest peak in Central America and features both active fumaroles and vegetation up to the tree line.

Humboldt made the first scientific record of Tacaná in 1804; Del Río, Sánchez and Del Castillo described its shape later in the 19th century, and Sapper confirmed the name in 1896 and 1899. Its strongest known explosion, with pyroclastic flows, occurred around 70 AD and earned it a volcanic explosivity index of 4. Phreatic and fumarolic episodes are recorded in 1855, 1878, 1903, 1949-1951 and 1986, the last a small phreatic eruption in May.

The name Tacaná comes from the Mam language and means "house of fire". During the colonial era the volcano was known as volcán del Soconusco, and in Mexico it is also called El Coloso del Sur. Each year during Holy Week the Confraternidad Montañista del Sureste gathers about a hundred climbers on the summit, from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica.

Two routes lead to the summit, reached in about 10 hours. From Finca Navidad, south of the volcano, the path passes Tojquián Grande on the Guatemalan side, parallel to the Mexican border. The other starts by vehicle from El Carmen, the Talismán bridge, Cacahoatán and Unión Juárez, then continues on foot into Guatemala.

The summit sits on the Guatemala–Mexico border, and the 9 km wide caldera below is breached to the south. The final stretch climbs above the tree line, where the forest thins with altitude. Among the volcanoes visible from the top is Tajumulco, the highest peak in Central America.