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Reservations, Accomodations, & Stay

TO ARRIVE AT RANCHO PACAYA, ONE MUST EITHER TAKE A SCENIC 20-MINUTE HIKE UP A HILL (YES, ON FOOT) ON A PRIVATE PATH OR RIDE A HORSE UP THE HILL, BOTH FROM THE ADJACENT VILLAGE OF SAN FRANCISCO DE SALES. You and your luggage can be transported by horseback separately at an additional cost of Q50 either there or back. It's best to either carry your own belongings or don't bring much if you can avoid it!

BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC, THE TEMPERATURES OF ALL PERSONS WISHING TO ENTER RANCHO PACAYA WILL BE MEASURED AS THEY ENTER THE RP PARKING LOT. ENTRANCE TO RP WILL BE DENIED TO ANY GROUP OF PERSONS WHERE ONE OF THE MEMBERS IS FOUND TO HAVE A FEVER BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYONE IN THE GROUP BEING CONTACTS WITH A PERSON WITH COVID. Please do not come to RP if someone in your group has a fever or symptoms consistent with a viral syndrome. 

THE POSSESION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WITHIN RANCHO PACAYA IS PROHIBITED. IT IS ALSO PROHIBITED FOR PERSONS WHO ARE INHEBRIATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS. This is for the security and wellbeing of EVERYONE. Persons found to be in possession of alcohol or drugs will be requested to leave the premises immediately without refund of any payment. 

      SUMMARY OF VISITATION FEES TO RANCHO PACAYA:

   (in Guatemalan quetzales (GTQ), exchange rate varies slightly every day, yet generally near Q7.5/US$1)

  • INTERNATIONAL VISITORS:

  • Parking: Q20/day 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Q35/night for 24 hours

  • Day Pass:  Adults: Q75/Children 6-12 yrs. of age: Q45/free under 6 yrs. of age

  • Camping Pass: Adults: Q140 per night/Children 6-12 yrs. of age: Q75/free under 6 yrs. of age

  • Room: Q700 per night/room (up to 4 persons)

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  • GUATEMALAN NATIONALS (40% discount with DPI): 

  • Parking: Q20/day 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Q35/night for 24 hours

  • Day Pass: Adults: Q45/Children 6-12 yrs. of age: Q25/free under 6 yrs. of age

  • Camping Pass: Adults: Q85 per night/Children 6-12 yrs. of age: Q45/free under 6 yrs. of age

  • Room: Q420 per night/room (up to 4 persons)

 HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS AT

                                         RANCHO PACAYA

  • First, check availability for the desired day(s) and make your online reservation(s) (see "Our Accomodations" above)

  • Then, if you are Guatemalan, make direct deposit of 50% of total payment to our local bank "G&T Continental", otherwise International Visitors can make payment via VisaNet system or call our "Reservation and Information" cell number +502 3567-2185 for further instructions

  • Finally, send the following to our "Reservations & Information" cell number +502 3567-2185 (via WhatsApp as well):       

  • (1) photo of G&T Bank Deposit Slip 

  • (2) name of person representing the group/making the reservation

  • (3) DPI number if Guatemalan or passport number and country of origin if international visitor of person representing the group

  • (4) number of adults and persons under 12 years of age staying overnight

  • (5) date(s) of stay

  • (6) contact email

  • (7) contact phone number

YOUR EXPERIENCE AT RANCHO PACAYA

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A stay at Rancho Pacaya is a "re-generating" experience, an opportunity to "heal" from the toll of "modern life" while reconnecting with many of our earth's life cycles that we depend on for our sustenance and survival. This experience is not necessarily for everyone and one needs to consider the following aspects before reserving your stay on the farm:

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Access to RP:  ONE MUST EITHER HIKE UP A HILL FOR 10-15 MINUTES OR PAY A LOCAL HORSE OWNER Q50 TO TAKE YOU UP BY HORSEBACK FROM THE RP PARKING LOT. The hike includes breathtaking views of the Calderas Lake and the Pacaya crater and is well worth the adventure if one can do it.

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Hours of operation:  RP is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays onlyEntrance to the RP Parking Lot (and to the farm) Friday-Sunday is between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., although vehicles may exit until 7:00 p.m. on those days. For non-public hours visitations or special events, please contact us at +(502) 3567-2185. 

 

Day Pass only: All visitors to RP must arrive must enter through the Rancho Pacaya Parking Lot in San Francisco de Sales where temperatures are taken and a brief Covid questionnaire imparted. To enter RP, one has the option of either hiking up a beautiful private path up the hill for 15-20 minutes - 300 steps in all - or be taken up by horseback by locals who will charge you Q50 (approx. US $7) to take you to the main structure at Rancho Pacaya. Once in RP, one has use of the facilities, hiking trails, restaurant, and may participate in any of the day's talks, yoga classes, farm tours, and other activities, all included in the Day Pass fee. . 

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Camping. RP's multiple breathtaking views in all four directions make it an ideal place for camping, yet one MUST BRING ONE'S OWN CAMPING GEAR. We rent individual grills for cooking if you wish to bring your own food, yet INDIVIDUAL BON FIRES ARE NOT PERMITTED for the safety and air quality of one's fellow campers, yet there is a nightly group bon fire for those camping on the mountain. IN THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY NIGHTLY TEMPERATURES MAY DIP INTO THE LOW 40s WHICH, WITH WINDS ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, CAN BE QUITE COLD. CAMPERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING WARM CLOTHING, WARM BEDDING/SLEEPING BAGS AND GROUND CUSHION TO INSULATE YOU FROM THE COOL GROUND. 

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Rooms. RP has four rustic yet cozy rooms in a beautiful bamboo structure which are available for rent. Each room has two comfortably-designed cedar bunk beds allowing for a maximum of four persons per room. The rooms share a hygenic adn smart dry-composting toilet adjacent to the structure. As ALL water is captured from rainwater for drip irrigation during the 7-month dry season, low-flow luke-warm-at-best showers are available in the main structure about 150 yards from the rooms - not for the faint-hearted. 

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Dry-composting toilets.  There are no water wells at Rancho Pacaya as the earth is volcanic ash and porous. We therefore utilize dry composting toilets where, instead of flushing with water, one places a few scoopfuls of sawdust into the composting chamber after each use. After a 6-month composting period together with organic additives, this process eventually creates a hygienic and rich fertilizer for use on our trees.  

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Three healthy meals. Meals and sandwiches can be purchased separately at the main lodge The majority of the food served at Rancho Pacaya is organic, locally grown, and prepared on the premises by a chef. The meals are served with 2-3 main dishes offered, always one of them vegetarian.  The hours of the main meals are as follows:

          

                                      Breakfast:           7-9 a.m.

                                      Lunch                 12-2 p.m.

                                      Dinner                 5-7 p.m.

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Besides the three meals, in between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner one can order sandwiches made with in-house fresh-baked bread. One can request the sandwiches to go to enjoy on the mountain or to take as a meal to the Pacaya Volcano.  

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Yoga. Your stay at RP includes participation in yoga class if you choose for no additional cost. Yoga is proven to be highly effective in reducing stress-related conditions such as chronic anxiety, back pain, and tension headaches. Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and join us and connect with your inner peace. 

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Educational presentations and tours.  Although one may come to RP to enjoy the spectacular views, healthy food, or nearby activities, the purpose of RP is to study and promote regenerative agriculture and other technologies and techniques which are critical to avoid the environmental cataclysm which global warming is bringing upon us. As such, visitors to RP will be able to attend discussions on global warming, regenerative agriculture, and other topics related to the environment. Tours of the farm will also be available throughout the day.   

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Security.  San Vicente Pacaya is the municipality with the lowest rates of criminality in Guatemala. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and prepared. RP contracts armed security guards and all key personnel are connected to the guards and to each other via radios. We practice what we feel is our best preventive medicine against crime - maintaining a respectful, supportive and inclusive stance towards our rural community.

 

Personal involvement in the project.  We believe that everyone who comes to Rancho Pacaya has unique gifts and talents, and you are encouraged to share yours with the community. This may be anything from teaching us how to prepare your grandma's fabulous lasagna to singing a song for those around the evening campfire. Our source of greatest joy and long-lasting meaning in life comes not from "getting", but from "giving" our unique gifts, our unique brand of Love to this world, so come and share your gifts with us! 

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