Pacaya National Park is the protected area around a volcano with the same name situated about 50 km south of Guatemala City in the Guatemalan Department of Esquintla. The cone of the volcano has a height of 2552 meters above sea level and around 65.000 visitors visit the National Park annually.

The volcano first erupted and came to exist over 20.000 years ago. Pacaya is part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanoes stretching along the Pacific coast of Central America. The Guatemalan Institute for Tourism (INGUAT) has published a bulletin stating the National Park will be closed to visitors until further notice. The volcano has been active for over 50 years and lightly increased its activity since March this year, together with volcanoes Fuego and Santiago nearby. In April a fatal accident occurred when tourists went beyond the allowed paths and were surprised by a sudden eruption and rock avalanche. In May part of the National Park was temporarily closed due to increased activity on one side of the volcano.