The Wild Volcano-Baked Slice Worth Traveling For

 Tourists Are Climbing a Volcano for Pizza (And You Might Too)

If your summer travel bucket list includes adventure, pizza, and just a little bit of danger—this might be your next obsession.

Meet Pizza Pacaya, a trailblazing pizzeria perched on the slopes of Guatemala’s active Volcano Pacaya. Yes, active—as in, it literally uses molten-hot volcanic vents to cook its pizzas. No gimmicks, no smoke machines. Just lava and dough, face to face.

Photo From: Mark Wiens/Youtube

The man behind the madness? Chef Mario David García. Before he became the world’s boldest pizzaiolo, García was a humble food vendor selling ice cream and vegetables. His "a-ha" moment came after seeing tourists roast marshmallows over volcanic heat. Naturally, he asked himself: what if... pizza?

Six years and a global fanbase later, García’s fiery venture is drawing everyone from wedding parties to corporate retreats to his one-of-a-kind dining experience. NBC even trekked up to see it in 2023, where García casually slid a pizza into the glowing earth like it was a backyard BBQ.

Photo From: Pizzapacayadedavid/Instagram

Here’s how it works: guests take a 90-minute guided hike up the volcano (don’t worry, it's doable even if your cardio comes from TikTok scrolling). At the top, you watch your pizza bubble and char over vents that radiate pure volcanic heat. The catch? The volcano last erupted in 2021 and is still very much considered active. García monitors official volcano alerts daily, making safety as much of a priority as the perfect crust.

With a growing number of tourists adding "lava-fired pizza" to their Guatemala itineraries, Pizza Pacaya is now open five days a week. Want in? It’ll cost you about $175 per person, hike included—and yes, you’ll absolutely want to book ahead. Just text Chef García directly at +502 57430259 (old-school, we know).

Because really, how many people can say their favorite slice came straight from the Earth's core?