The result of roasting 14 marshmallows over a vent on the active volcano Pacaya in Guatemala. (ANTHONY VASQUEZ-PEDDIE/QMI Agency)

ANTIGUA, Guatemala – If you're looking to conquer some of Mother Nature's more devastating creations, Guatemala offers plenty of choices.

Volcanoes are plentiful in the small central American country, and most of them are open to hikers and tourists alike.

Of the nation's 38 volcanoes, five are active and 12 are dormant. The rest are extinct.

Some even require two full days to ascend and descend, providing a unique opportunity for an overnight stay.

“You can sleep right in the crater,” says tour guide Marvin Chang.

Other interesting options can arise as well.

Before beginning a hike up Pacaya, one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, there was a merchant offering bags of marshmallows and sharpened sticks.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was possible to roast the fluffy treats over certain parts of Pacaya.

Tell me where you've heard of a chance to toast marshmallows over an active volcano before.

There's also the option of making it part way up the mountain on a horse, but your steed can only go so far before you must make it the rest of the way on foot.

This is where it got tricky for me, and I recommend anybody going on these hikes come well prepared.

The ground gets very steep and in some places unstable. It also might get hot if there's lava pumping inside.

Hiking shoes or boots are a must if you want to keep your footing and save your nicer footwear from melting.

Pacaya last erupted on May 27, 2010. One person was killed and people fled the villages below, but it could have been much worse.

The mountain guide I was with was actually in the middle of giving a tour when the volcano started spitting up ash. Thankfully neither he nor his customers were hurt, but it just goes to show the real danger you could come up against.

“Mother Nature never tells you when it's going to explode,” says Chang.

True enough.

Climbing volcanoes is all fun and games until one actually erupts.

So have fun if you decide to go on such a hike, but stay alert and stay safe.