Pacaya Volcano Hike-Guatemala

Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes, many of which are part of the Central American Volcanic Arc. Pacaya Volcano is one of the active ones, erupting intermittently since 1961 and earning its place as one of the country’s most active volcanoes. It is a popular destination for hikers and tourists, who are drawn by its glowing lava flows and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Our excursion began with a bus ride to the trailhead of Pacaya Volcano.

The climb to the summit takes about 1.5 hours and involves navigating a narrow path with inclines exceeding 45 degrees in some sections. The steep trail, combined with loose volcanic ash and rocks, makes the hike challenging, especially for those unaccustomed to steep terrain. Some hikers opted to take a horseback ride partway up, but for those who pushed through, the effort was well worth it. The views along the way, especially at the summit, were absolutely stunning and made the trip unforgettable.

Descending from the summit was also challenging, as the trail consists primarily of loose volcanic ash and rocks. However, the descent was made easier by the wider path, allowing for a steadier pace.

 

Arrived at the summit!

Hiking down to the base

Costa Rica

I joined NCL's half-day "Scenic Costa Rica" excursion, hoping to experience the country’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, the excursion didn’t deliver much of the scenic Costa Rica I was expecting. Like many other excursions, the first stop was a shopping center, where we were “encouraged” to purchase local products. At the entrance, locals provided music, and two girls performed a traditional dance to welcome us. There was also a coffee tasting.

After the shopping stop, the bus took us through some mountain areas, but there wasn’t much in the way of scenic views. Eventually, we arrived at a small town with a lovely church and restroom facilities. The highlight of the excursion was the town square, where local schoolchildren performed traditional dances to live music, creating a delightful and memorable moment.

Panama City, Panama

The port terminal where our ship docked is impressive. It is a massive structure with striking architectural style. Outside, there is a large parking lot. In the morning, I shared an Uber to the Old Town with two other travelers. We spent about two hours exploring the area on foot before taking another Uber back.

In the afternoon, I joined an excursion that brought us back to the Old Town. Our first stop is at the ruins in Panama City, known as Panamá Viejo (Old Panama). These ruins are the remains of the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. This historic site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an essential part of Panama’s history. There, I climbed the cathedral tower, walked among the stone walls and streets, and took photos with some gigantic trees.

On the way to the Old Town, we enjoyed views of the modern Panama City skyline while listening to our guide talk about the many millionaires who live there. The wealth in the area is evident, and I wondered if it’s all from the revenue collected from ships passing through the Panama Canal.

Panama Old Town is a small and charming place that doesn’t take much time to explore. Along the way, we visited several notable landmarks, including Plaza Herrera (where we witnessed a service taking place), Iglesia San José, Compañía de Jesús (Society of Jesus), Plaza Mayor o de la Independencia (Main or Independence Plaza), Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace), Museo del Canal Interoceánico (Interoceanic Canal Museum), Iglesias del Casco Antiguo, Conjunto de San Francisco (Saint Francis Complex), and the Republic of Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Bolivar Palace.

Arrived at Panama City Port

Panama City Skyline viewed from the Ship

At the Port Terminal

View of Panama City Skyline (new town) from the tour bus

Panama Viejo (Old Panama)

Panama Old Town (Casco Viejo o Casco Antiguo)

Old Town- Plaza Herrera

Old Town-Iglesia San Jose