Volcán Tacaná

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.

A major explosive eruption occurred around the year 70 and shaped the region for centuries. Smaller phreatic eruptions were recorded between 1986 and 1988, showing the ongoing activity of the volcano.

Communities on both sides of the border use the mountain as a landmark for their settlements and farming areas. The name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "place of the bull," a designation still in use today.

Climbing routes begin either in Unión Juárez on the Mexican side or in Sibinal in Guatemala and take two days to reach the summit. Local mountain guides are necessary for navigation in fog and along changing paths.

From the summit in clear weather, you can see the entire Central American Volcanic Arc stretching from Guatemala into Mexico. The Pacific Ocean appears on the horizon as a dark line beneath the sky.

Location: San Marcos Department

Elevation above the sea: 4,064 m

GPS coordinates: 15.13248,-92.10842

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22