Cerro Verde National Park
Santa Ana, El Salvador
With three volcanoes to scale (Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Santa Ana), hiking trails through the jungle, and a crater lake to explore all within its grounds, Cerro Verde National Park combines great views with booming biodiversity. Lying just 40 miles (64 kilometers) from San Salvador, the park is truly an outdoor adventurer’s dream, whether you’re climbing volcanic peaks, birdwatching in the wilderness, or kayaking on the lake.
While travelers can explore Cerro Verde National Park independently, a guided tour is recommended if you’re planning to trek the volcano peaks. You can find many tour options, including ones that scale Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Santa Ana, as well as excursions that combine the national park with surrounding Mayan sites or a Santa Ana city tour.
Entry to the park for foreign visitors costs US$3, but kids 6 years and younger are free.
If you don’t want to wait for others while you scale the volcanoes, opt for a private climbing tour.
Cabin accommodation is available for overnight stays within the park.
Many visitors book a tour that takes them directly to Cerro Verde National Park. If traveling by car, take note that there is a parking cost of US$1. If you’re taking a bus from San Salvador, Santa Ana, or El Congo, bus 209 stops at the park entrance.
If you’re looking to miss the crowds, then it's best to visit Cerro Verde National Park on weekdays. You’ll also want to avoid a trip in August, if possible, as this is El Salvador’s rainiest month, causing the terrain to become muddy and slippery. Exploring any of the three volcano peaks can be particularly challenging in the wet season.
If you’re still looking for a thrill after your visit to Cerro Verde National Park, then make your way by vehicle to Café Albania in Apaneca. This fun restaurant offers an array of exciting attractions, such as bike ziplining, surfing in the air, and tobogganing down a massive rainbow-colored slide built through the jungle.
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