Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Volcanic activity / ash Antigua/Atitlan - any continuing problems?

Country forums / Central America / Guatemala

Hi,
I'm about to book a last minute flight to Guatemala with time planned for Antigua and Atitlan (arriving on the 27th Feb).

Is there anything I need to bear in mind or be concerned about following the volcanic activity from the week before last? I've found mixed reports online, some saying that this is a relatively regular occurrence; others saying that the area is covered with widespread ash.

In the worst case event, would it be worth postponing the trip, just for a week or so? Or shall I just crack on with the trip as planned?

Thanks all!

I flew out of GUA last Friday night. It was business as usual at the airport. I had been at Lake Atitlan and wouldn't have known that the volcano had had a major eruption if I hadn't been told. I went through Antigua on the way to the airport and didn't see any major signs of ash covering the ground.

As you heard, Volcan Fuego does erupt regularly just not with that amount of force. The small eruptions are a part of life and don't cause any problems. The next bigger one could be in 2 weeks, but then again it might be 2 years or more.

Book your trip and have a great time.

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For a rental get the Toyota. They seem to have the best air cleaner.
http://tinyurl.com/n9na3oq

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i was just in antigua and no problems.

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I live in Antigua and on Saturday 2/7/15 great deal of ash in town due to the prevailing winds. Normally the wind sends the steam and ash south/southwest. In 4 years of living here this is the first time we had any accumulation of ash. Sunday went to the lake for 3 days and all was well there. Continuing small eruptions since then but that is normal. Come and enjoy this beautiful country

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Excellent, thanks guys - am getting it booked now! :)

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Hi mate,

My friend flew out on the 9th of Feb. The airport was shut on the 7th and 8th of Feb. Since then, it is all clear. The ash just covered some of Antigua - I was there - and it was a minor inconvenience at most. Now probably there's no more ash.

Enjoy :)

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I was in Antigua 2/13-2/18 (came back yesterday), no issues. Fuego is constantly erupting small clouds of ash, but it didn't impact anything that I could see.

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