Fuego: Guatemala's Volcano of Fire

A Mountain Full of History and Passion

Fuego means "fire" in Spanish and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. With its imposing 3,763 meters, it is one of the most striking mountains on the Guatemalan plateau.

The most active volcano in Central America

In the last 500 years, there have been over 60 major eruptions, the last one in 2018. Currently, it is considered one of the most reliable volcanoes because it shows small eruptions so regularly.

What makes it special is its frequency. On average, Fuego erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. These are mostly not huge destructions, but small explosions that make the volcano so fascinating.

The type of volcano: Strombolian explosions

Fuego is a classic stratovolcano with the typical conical shape. Its trademark is strombolian eruptions. Incandescent rock fragments, ash, and gases shoot high into the sky. This looks very different from volcanoes where lava simply flows out. Here, it's about real explosions and material being hurled hundreds of meters high.

Location: Right near Antigua in the heart of Guatemala

Fuego is located in the southwest of the country, not far from Guatemala City. It has a direct neighbor, Acatenango. Together they form an impressive duo. While Acatenango is slightly higher at 3,976 meters, it is significantly quieter than the fiery Fuego.

From the city of Antigua, it's only about 20 kilometers to the volcano. Those walking through the streets of Antigua at night can often see the reddish glow of the eruptions on the horizon.

Why our red belt is called Fuego

You might be wondering why we named this deep red belt Fuego. The answer lies in the connection between tranquility and eruption. When you stand on Acatenango at night and look across, you don't just see the bright glow, but especially the deep, glowing red of the rock fragments standing out against the black night sky. It is exactly this special red that you will find in our belt.