Ipala Volcano

Ipala is a low volcano in the dry hills of eastern Guatemala with a crater lake sitting in its cone at around fifteen hundred metres, a green sheet of water enclosed by wooded slopes with a path running round it. The climb from the road takes an hour or so on a well-used trail through farmland and oak scrub, gentle by the standards of Guatemalan volcanoes, which makes it a straightforward outing rather than an expedition. The lake is used for swimming and camping and there are simple facilities at the rim. The country around is a good deal drier than the western highlands, and the eastern hills have their own character of thorn scrub and cattle.

What you actually see

• A crater lake in the cone - green water enclosed by wooded slopes.
• The path around the shore - the walk circling the lake.
• An easy climb by local standards - about an hour from the road.
• Dry eastern hill country - the scrub and pasture around the volcano.

When to go

November to April, the dry months. Half a day. Weekends bring local visitors and campers to the crater. The climb is hot and unshaded in parts.

Honest expectations

The lake is small and shallow and the water quality varies. The climb is hot with limited shade. Facilities are basic. It is a long way east of the usual visitor circuit and takes a full day of travel from Antigua.

Nearby

Ipala town is north; Chiquimula lies north-east.