Laguna Chicabal
Laguna Chicabal
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Kaydfw888
Dallas, TX172 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
This was a great experience. We drove ourselves to the parking area about halfway up. There was a shuttle truck that took us to the main entrance of the volcano. We then climbed the volcano. While it is the width of a single car lane, it is an arduous climb to the top. When you combine the steepness with the altitude, we took breaks quite often to catch our breath. The view from the top is spectacular. Once you reach the top, there are 400+ steps down to the lake. You are not allowed to touch the water - it is sacred. While no ceremonies were happening during our visit, you could see flowers in the water from ceremonies on previous days.
Once you complete your stay by the lake, there is a trail so you don’t have to climb the steps back to the top. The walk down to the main entrance was easier than the walk up but I do recommend a walking stick since it is a dirt road and can be slippery.
Once you complete your stay by the lake, there is a trail so you don’t have to climb the steps back to the top. The walk down to the main entrance was easier than the walk up but I do recommend a walking stick since it is a dirt road and can be slippery.
Written July 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily K
11 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Had a really fun trip here! It is a bit difficult to find on the map - we used a combo of Google maps and Waze to figure out how to drive there since some of the roads were washed out.
We drove about half way up and then took a shuttle to the top. There's a small park ranger station where you pay the fee (40Q for foreigners) and then you start hiking from there. The hike is a bit steep, but manageable! We used AllTrails for guidance along the hike since the markers were a bit tough to make out. To get to the lake you have to walk down about 400 stairs, which are steep and points. There's a railing but I'd be cautious when walking.
The lake itself is incredibly gorgeous. It was amazing to see the fog roll across the mountain and down into the lake area. Truly a very special experience.
We drove about half way up and then took a shuttle to the top. There's a small park ranger station where you pay the fee (40Q for foreigners) and then you start hiking from there. The hike is a bit steep, but manageable! We used AllTrails for guidance along the hike since the markers were a bit tough to make out. To get to the lake you have to walk down about 400 stairs, which are steep and points. There's a railing but I'd be cautious when walking.
The lake itself is incredibly gorgeous. It was amazing to see the fog roll across the mountain and down into the lake area. Truly a very special experience.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L v
Boxtel, The Netherlands56 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We went to laguna chicabal this morning. It's a nice activity and easy to do by yourself. We usually do hikes with guides, because of me being scared of robberies of being lost. But we did this one ourselves and it felt really safe and was easy to find the way because of all the signs. Details of our trip:
-7.00: took the bus to San Martin / Chile Verde, told the bus driver that we wanted to go to Laguna Chicabal. That way he will show you were to get out. Costs:10Q each. Unfortunately our busdriver took quite some time (ate breakfast and repaired the bus). The same busride back to Xela only took 40 minutes.
-8.50: Arrived at the bus stop nearest to chicabal. Busdriver told us which way to start (downwards into village)
-9.45: After a sometimes very steep hike we arrived at the entrance of Chicabal. We are in reasonable shape and found it sometimes quite challenging. But easy to find the way because of the signs. Ofcourse, if uou don't feel like walking, you can take a pick up from the bus stop to the entrance of chicabal. Costs of entrance: 25Q each (internationals).
-10.30: Arrived at the laguna. It took us 45 minutes to hike from the entrance to the lake. And again, this hike is sometimes quite steep and challenging! First part when you have to go up, and afterwards a bit down to get to the lake. At some point (about 30min into our hike) you can go left to the mirador or right to the lake. We took the right turn. But most people go the mirador, and from there descend with the stairs to the lake.
After arriving at the laguna, we had clear blue sky amd walked around the lake (30min walk) and saw some maya praying (it was a sunday today). After finishing our walk, the clouds came in and it was amazing to see how they covered the lake and blocked our sight of it. Very special.
Because of the clouds, we didn't go up to the mirador, because we wouldn't be able to see anything anyway. If you're coming for the views, the laguna isn't spectaculair at all, so then it's probably wisest to visit the mirador first!
So a very nice trip, which only cost us 45q pp in total (20q return bus and 25q entrance). So just do it on your own, no guide needed!
-7.00: took the bus to San Martin / Chile Verde, told the bus driver that we wanted to go to Laguna Chicabal. That way he will show you were to get out. Costs:10Q each. Unfortunately our busdriver took quite some time (ate breakfast and repaired the bus). The same busride back to Xela only took 40 minutes.
-8.50: Arrived at the bus stop nearest to chicabal. Busdriver told us which way to start (downwards into village)
-9.45: After a sometimes very steep hike we arrived at the entrance of Chicabal. We are in reasonable shape and found it sometimes quite challenging. But easy to find the way because of the signs. Ofcourse, if uou don't feel like walking, you can take a pick up from the bus stop to the entrance of chicabal. Costs of entrance: 25Q each (internationals).
-10.30: Arrived at the laguna. It took us 45 minutes to hike from the entrance to the lake. And again, this hike is sometimes quite steep and challenging! First part when you have to go up, and afterwards a bit down to get to the lake. At some point (about 30min into our hike) you can go left to the mirador or right to the lake. We took the right turn. But most people go the mirador, and from there descend with the stairs to the lake.
After arriving at the laguna, we had clear blue sky amd walked around the lake (30min walk) and saw some maya praying (it was a sunday today). After finishing our walk, the clouds came in and it was amazing to see how they covered the lake and blocked our sight of it. Very special.
Because of the clouds, we didn't go up to the mirador, because we wouldn't be able to see anything anyway. If you're coming for the views, the laguna isn't spectaculair at all, so then it's probably wisest to visit the mirador first!
So a very nice trip, which only cost us 45q pp in total (20q return bus and 25q entrance). So just do it on your own, no guide needed!
Written February 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob
Dublin, Ireland2,928 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
You can, of course, organise this with any of the tour agencies in town but if you like doing it cheaply and/or solo here is how I did it.
You can get a collectivo from 6 calle and 15 avenida. I got mine just before 7am, I was waiting less than 5 minutes and think it's pretty regular. It's 6q to San Martin. Just ask for laguna chicabal and you will get dropped off across the road from where you need to go. It takes about 45-60 minutes to get there.
You go down, cross a bridge and go up.
It's pretty well signposted. There is 1 point where there is a chance you take the wrong trail...as in I took a wrong trail for a few minutes. Around 30-45 minutes in you have 3 potential trails, straight ahead which goes downhill and to your left and right which go uphill (it should be photo number 3 all going well) Go straight ahead, looking back it's the obvious choice but I read it's all uphill so the downhill caught me out. Within 5-10 minutes you will get to the campsite and entrance area. It's 25 quetzals for foreign visitors. From there follow the signposts. It's another 30 minutes or so to the main loop. You go right to head down to the lake or left to mirador. It doesn't matter what you take as it's a loop. On the way to the mirador if it's clear you get good views of Santa Maria and Santiaguita. Once you get to the lake got can do a full circuit of it. The walk up takes about 20 minutes.
Overall it was a good morning out. I had no issues with any stage of the journey. The clouds never threatened to roll in. There is a good bit of uphill but nothing too difficult.
You can get a collectivo from 6 calle and 15 avenida. I got mine just before 7am, I was waiting less than 5 minutes and think it's pretty regular. It's 6q to San Martin. Just ask for laguna chicabal and you will get dropped off across the road from where you need to go. It takes about 45-60 minutes to get there.
You go down, cross a bridge and go up.
It's pretty well signposted. There is 1 point where there is a chance you take the wrong trail...as in I took a wrong trail for a few minutes. Around 30-45 minutes in you have 3 potential trails, straight ahead which goes downhill and to your left and right which go uphill (it should be photo number 3 all going well) Go straight ahead, looking back it's the obvious choice but I read it's all uphill so the downhill caught me out. Within 5-10 minutes you will get to the campsite and entrance area. It's 25 quetzals for foreign visitors. From there follow the signposts. It's another 30 minutes or so to the main loop. You go right to head down to the lake or left to mirador. It doesn't matter what you take as it's a loop. On the way to the mirador if it's clear you get good views of Santa Maria and Santiaguita. Once you get to the lake got can do a full circuit of it. The walk up takes about 20 minutes.
Overall it was a good morning out. I had no issues with any stage of the journey. The clouds never threatened to roll in. There is a good bit of uphill but nothing too difficult.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashlin N
Philadelphia, PA26 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Tour companies charge Q200 per person for transportation to the entrance of the park and a guide to be with you for the 2 hour hike. You can take a microbus yourself from 15th ave and 6th st (zone 3) that drops you off at the road that leads to the lagoon for only Q6. If you don't want to hike to the entrance of the park and up to the lagoon, you can pay for a pick-up truck ride that starts 1 km from where the microbus drops you off. There are signs with red pick-up trucks that show you where to go. Somebody will call the truck drivers if they are not there. Our driver took us all the way to the lookout for Q25. It also costs Q25 to enter the park. Our pick-up driver came back to get us from the lookout and took us to the main road (another Q25 per person), where we waited for a microbus to take us back to Xela. In total, we each spent Q87 and did not have to hike to the lagoon. We only had to walk down the 550 steps from the lookout to the lagoon and back up again to be picked up by the truck.
Written July 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miroslav K
130 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
If you want to go on your own: minubeses leave from zone 3 crossroad of 6 calle and 15 avenida. One way to San Martin 6Q. Drop off point is the first crossroad in SM km 244 (ask for Chicabal). You can walk up - go south-downhill, cross the river and you will see a welcome sign. The way up is marked pretty well, it is a village/rural bumpy road, really steep 1,5 hrs up (total time walking/hiking 5hrs. Planned reconstruction of the road 23rd Nov 2015. There is a nice recreation area at the entrance. You can stay overnight 50 Q per person. We stayed in a bungalow and were completely left alone. Kind of scary but nice. The lagoon is interesting, lots of altars and flowers. Go as soon as possible. May be covered in clouds in the afternoon.
Written November 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy E
68 contributions
Feb 2021 • Solo
Was a 45 minute hike, incredible views!! You have to go early to catch the sunrise, on the weekends the Mayans do their rituals.
Written February 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrAusDog
Melbourne, Australia108 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Went with Daniel from Xela Adventure, who is an excellent guide - went birding with him a few days ago, but this was not birding as went with my daughter and her partner.
We opted for the 4x4 to take us up to the rim, and were glad we did as it looked like a tough climb. At the rim we went to the lookouts and then down to the lake and back.
Daniel explained the significance of the Maya altars around the lake and was very knowledgeable
We opted for the 4x4 to take us up to the rim, and were glad we did as it looked like a tough climb. At the rim we went to the lookouts and then down to the lake and back.
Daniel explained the significance of the Maya altars around the lake and was very knowledgeable
Written April 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sim1526
Hildesheim, Germany28 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
I booked the tour with Xela Adventure via Email and they were responding very quickly. The walk was nice and the guide Daniel just
great! He's very knowledgeable and explains a lot about geography, birdlife and the Mayan culture. Thanks a lot!
great! He's very knowledgeable and explains a lot about geography, birdlife and the Mayan culture. Thanks a lot!
Written April 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martyn P
London, UK195 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
It takes about an hour and a half of fairly steep uphill walking to arrive at the mirador that affords a view of the Santiaguito volcano. Beware of the platform you have to climb to see it - rickety is an understatement!
You the walk steeply downhill to the lake - about 10-15 mins - and you are then treated to the beauty and calm of this Mayan holy site. As you walk around the lake, you will see altars to various deities and on the day we were there a group performing a rite that involved lots of singing, chanting and flowers.
You the walk steeply downhill to the lake - about 10-15 mins - and you are then treated to the beauty and calm of this Mayan holy site. As you walk around the lake, you will see altars to various deities and on the day we were there a group performing a rite that involved lots of singing, chanting and flowers.
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am 70 and do not walk well. Is there a way to see this without hiking?
Written January 27, 2016
You can just go with a pick up in a mirador where you can see the lake from distance. The pick up is not confortable. You cannot walk down to the lake if you have problem for walking. I suggest to go early in the morning because after 12 you cannot see the lake as it will be very cluoded
Written January 29, 2016
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