Why the mountains of Guatemala are so tall

Guatemala is a small country with some seriously enormous mountains, so why are they so high compared to the rest of Central America? Let’s take a look at these towering peaks and find out.

Mountains dominate the centre of Guatemala

Guatemala boasts some spectacular landscapes, including sprawling lowland jungles, rivers, coastlines and dry plains, but the mountains of the Central Highlands create perhaps the most dramatic and memorable sights.

This is because Guatemala features two major mountain chains which form a single mountainous region spilt only by the east-flowing Motagua Valley, which is the country’s longest river.

South of the river is the Sierra Madre, where many of Guatemala’s volcanoes are found, and to the north is a chain of smaller mountain ranges which still have some formidable peaks.

Geological forces are still building the mountains

Guatemala sits atop two different tectonic plate boundaries, so it is shaped by colossal geological forces which have created the mountain ranges over millions of years.

The Motagua Valley is on boundary between the Caribbean Plate and the much larger North American Plate, and this boundary runs right through the middle of Guatemala from east to west. The Caribbean Plate also meets the Cocos Plate just off the Pacific Coast.

As these plates move against each other they cause earthquakes and, crucially, volcanic eruptions. Over the millennia, the eruptions have created enormous layers of volcanic rock, which has then been eroded by rivers to create the mountains of Guatemala we see today.

Guatemala’s mountains dominate Central America

This unique geological heritage means the mountains of Guatemala are much higher than those of its Central American neighbours.

Guatemala is home to eight of the region’s nine tallest mountains, including the highest of all, Volcan Tajumulco. At 4,220m, it is nearly 160m taller than its nearest rival, Volcan Tacana, which is only 26km and easily visible on a clear day.

The difference between the countries is stark when comparing tallest peaks. Costa Rica’s tallest mountain, the Cerro Chirippo is only 3,819m tall, while Panama’s Volcan Baru checks in at 3,474m. Neither Honduras nor El Salvador have a peak above 3,000m.

Guatemala still lives with tectonic forces

The tectonic activity that has created Guatemala’s mountains continues to create drama and danger for the country.

As recently as 2018, two eruptions from Volcan de Fuego within six months killed at least 110 people and forced 4,000 people to evacuate. In 1902 Guatemala was the scene of the third largest eruption of the 20th Century when the Santa Maria erupted.

Earthquakes are also a regular occurrence for Guatemalans. In 1976 an estimated 23,000 people died and 76,000 were injured when an earthquake struck Guatemala City.

How to visit the mountains of Guatemala

Many visitors to Guatemala come to the country specifically for trekking and climbing in the mountains, and the country has a thriving industry of guides and instructors.

If you’re into rock climbing Guatemala has some outstanding opportunities for getting vertical. Filon de Amatitlan, not far from Lake Amatitlan, is a popular destination for climbers, while Urlanta Falls in Jalapa department provides a beautiful but challenging alternative.

If you are particularly adventurous you can visit one of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes by visiting Santiaguiti, which is an active lava dome.

The mountains of Guatemala owe their immense height to powerful and dangerous forces which continue to affect the country, but they are also a spectacular and accessible feature of the landscape. Time spent in these beautiful mountains is never time wasted.