Santa Maria, Guatemala
From series “The Most Active Volcanoes in the World”
The active stratovolcano of Santa Maria is situated to the west of Guatemala, in the immediate vicinity to the city of Quetzaltenango. It’s about 3,770 meters high. According to scientists, the first eruption of Santa Maria volcano occurred about 30,000 years ago. First recorded eruption has been a little over a hundred years ago, in 1902; it has claimed the lives of six thousand people.
The eruption has been so strong that residents of Costa Rica have heard the preceding explosion at a distance of 800 kilometers. Height of the ash stem has been about 28 kilometers; the eruption has thrown out at least 5.5 cubic kilometers of lava. This eruption was one of the most powerful and tragic in the 20th century. In 1922, a new Santiaguito mouth has formed that can be found an altitude of about 2,500 meters.
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Cities nearby
Best hotels near Santa Maria
Hotel Modelo
Located in 8 km from Santa Maria
Route on the map:
Rooms: 19
Route on the map:
Rooms: 19
Hotel Modelo's restaurant opens from 07:00 until 21:00 and serves a free à la carte breakfast each morning. There is also a French restaurant … More: photo, rates and booking
Hostal Don Diego
Located in 9 km from Santa Maria
Route on the map:
Rooms: 20
Route on the map:
Rooms: 20
Each room and dormitory at this property comes with tiled floors and garden views. They all feature a shared bathroom with a toilet and shower. … More: photo, rates and booking
Takalik Maya Lodge
Located in 22 km from Santa Maria
Route on the map:
Rooms: 10
Route on the map:
Rooms: 10
Each room Takalik Maya Lodge has rustic décor with bamboo and wooden furnishings, and a terrace overlooking the mountains and gardens. There is a … More: photo, rates and booking
Hotel Posada de Don José
Located in 28 km from Santa Maria
Route on the map:
Rooms: 21
Route on the map:
Rooms: 21
At Hotel Posada de Don José you will find a 24-hour reception with a tour desk and laundry service. The Don José's bar-restaurant serves … More: photo, rates and booking
Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit
0 km - Santa Maria Volcano
Early 18th century was also marked by a strong volcanic eruption. That year the disaster occurred in Guatemala. In 1902, the eruption of Santa Maria volcano happened there. It is considered one of the most violent eruptions of the 20th century. The incredibly powerful …
From the series 'Volcanoes and Traps That Changed the Face of the Planet'
Early 18th century was also marked by a strong volcanic eruption. That year the disaster occurred in Guatemala. In 1902, the eruption of Santa Maria volcano happened there. It is considered one of the most violent eruptions of the 20th century. The incredibly powerful …
38 km - Samabaj
The ancient Mayan city of Samabaj had been regarded as a legend for many years, till its ruins have been found in one of the lakes in Guatemala. This important archaeological discovery occurred in 1996, and later, scientists were able to specify that Samabaj has sunken …
From the series 'Famous Sunken Towns'
The ancient Mayan city of Samabaj had been regarded as a legend for many years, till its ruins have been found in one of the lakes in Guatemala. This important archaeological discovery occurred in 1996, and later, scientists were able to specify that Samabaj has sunken …
180 km - Guatemala Stone Head
The impenetrable jungle of Guatemala, inhabited by the Mayan tribes since ancient times, conceals one of the most mysterious artefacts on earth. Here, in the midst of the luxuriant thickets of the exotic trees, lies the huge sandstone statue discovered by the …
From the series 'Most Curious Artifacts of Extraterrestrial Origin'
The impenetrable jungle of Guatemala, inhabited by the Mayan tribes since ancient times, conceals one of the most mysterious artefacts on earth. Here, in the midst of the luxuriant thickets of the exotic trees, lies the huge sandstone statue discovered by the …
285 km - Pyramids of Copan
The Pyramids of Maya can be found not only in Mexico, but also in Honduras. To the followers of the walks through the archaeological districts one can recommend the tiny town of Copán. Three thousand years ago, when the unique pyramids were built, Copán was one of …
From the series 'Top Survived Pyramids from Previous Civilizations'
The Pyramids of Maya can be found not only in Mexico, but also in Honduras. To the followers of the walks through the archaeological districts one can recommend the tiny town of Copán. Three thousand years ago, when the unique pyramids were built, Copán was one of …
293 km - Chicoasen Dam
Chicoasen Dam is a rock-fill Mexican dam. It was beginning to build in 1974. In 1980 it has begun to work, since that time, it became the biggest dam in North America. Its height is 261 meters and length 485 meters. The reservoir’s size is 52 600 square meters, about …
From the series 'The Most Impressive Dams on Earth'
Chicoasen Dam is a rock-fill Mexican dam. It was beginning to build in 1974. In 1980 it has begun to work, since that time, it became the biggest dam in North America. Its height is 261 meters and length 485 meters. The reservoir’s size is 52 600 square meters, about …
295 km - Ilopango Volcano
The capital city of El Salvador is located near the famous Ilopango volcano. During the history it erupted twice. The first eruption, which occurred in the 5th century BC, was the most powerful and destructive. After the first destructive eruption, the whole territory …
From the series 'Volcanoes and Traps That Changed the Face of the Planet'
The capital city of El Salvador is located near the famous Ilopango volcano. During the history it erupted twice. The first eruption, which occurred in the 5th century BC, was the most powerful and destructive. After the first destructive eruption, the whole territory …
Top destination around Santa Maria - Quetzaltenango
The priest decided to help women and offered them to work in textile weaving. Starting from that time, female residents of Zunil have been making wool clothes. At the moment, there are approximately five hundred female employees in the cooperative. Many of these women work at home so that they can grow their children, do home chores, and other daily tasks. Tourists can order an outfit in the national style in Cooperativa Santa Ana. Local masters use only the finest fabric in the traditional style of Guatemala. Colorful and striped national headcovers are particularly popular.
Even though there is an airport in Quetzaltenango, it is not possible to reach this city by air. The local airport serves only private and military aircraft. For European tourists, the most comfortable way to travel to Guatemala is to fly to the country’s capital first. Tourists from many parts of the world might need to take a connecting flight with a stop in a large European city such as Madrid. Upon arrival in Guatemala City, get on an intercity bus or order a taxi to Quetzaltenango.
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Even though there is an airport in Quetzaltenango, it is not possible to reach this city by air. The local airport serves only private and military aircraft. For European tourists, the most comfortable way to travel to Guatemala is to fly to the country’s capital first. Tourists from many parts of the world might need to take a connecting flight with a stop in a large European city such as Madrid. Upon arrival in Guatemala City, get on an intercity bus or order a taxi to Quetzaltenango.
Read further...
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