Parque Nacional Cerro Verde — Attraction in Cantón Lomas de San Marcelino

El Cerro Verde National Park is a fantastic spot located just about 77 km from the capital, San Salvador. It's part of the “Los Volcanes Complex,” which includes seven stunning volcanoes in El Salvador. Here, you'll discover Las Flores Misteriosas, a beautiful gateway to nature, and the charming ancient Hotel de Montaña, along with a variety of amenities throughout the park.

If you're up for hiking, great trails lead to Izalco Volcano, which sits at around 1980 meters above sea level, and Santa Ana Volcano, a little taller at 2381 meters and more challenging trail.

The park has lookout points that offer breathtaking views, kid-friendly play areas, and lots of diverse plant and animal life. Plus, you’ll find modern sanitary facilities, parking, cafeterias, and other convenient family-friendly services right at ground level.

For an enjoyable hiking experience, you can start with the Izalco hike, which is a bit easier than the Santa Ana trail. If you choose to tackle the Santa Ana hike, it’s best to begin your adventure from the “Volcano Trailhead-Guide Hire” it is shorter from there and it outside the park.

If you choose to tackle the Santa Ana hike from this location, the park location, you will have FREE trail guides, but be prepared for a more challenging hike and rated level 5 on the global scope. If you start from any of the alternate points, you'll need to hire a guide since solo hikes aren’t permitted. IMPORTANT: There are police patrolling the area, so follow the rules and don't go ALONE.

Starting with a private tour guide outside the park will save you $3.50 per person, about half the trip time, and TRAIL STEPS, making it worth considering.

On your way back to El Certo Verde, if you choose to start from El Cerros Verde you can catch a pickup taxi half way through. It is super easy and only costs $1 per person. Check out my attached video for tips on this!

Overall, the Santa Ana hike experience is truly special, and I believe better than Izalco. You'll need two days to complete both. On Santa Ana, You’ll get to walk right up to the edge of the volcano and witness the stunning blue turquoise water at the bottom caldera. Just remember, while it’s a challenging hike, it’s one you’ll want to brag about to friends! However, do be cautious and watch where you step since the rocks are loose and the awaiting water is boiling—an accidental slip could lead to heavenly meeting you may not be ready for it just yet.

When entering Cerro Verde National Park, there's a small fee of three dollars for foreigners. You’ll also need to pay an additional $.50 to cross private land and another three dollars to enter the Santa Ana Volcano National Park, so it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand.

Lastly, make sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring along your hiking gear, clothing, sunblock, plenty of water, and some snacks, as the hike usually lasts about 4.5 to 5 hours. It typically takes about two hours to reach the top, 30 to 45 minutes to enjoy the view, and then around two to two and a half hours to hike back down. Happy hiking! and if this was helpful, like comment and subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on more reviews...

New scam. Just recently not only did foreigners fee double $3 to $6 there is a new additional $3.50 just for supposedly crossing private land which I seriously doubt. Why suddenly after years without this fee would they start. I doubt the national park would build a road to the trails without securing a proper right of way. Seems perhaps there is corruption going between bus drivers a supposed land owners and the park service employees to siphon off a few extra $$ off foreigners. Not surprised though. bus from Santa ana leaving at 730am is filled primarily with foreign tourists bound for hiking Santa ana volcano. bus drops them at a private resort pretending to be the national park to be your guide. you can walk up the road enter the park and get guides there too and maybe avoid the extra $3.50. i wasn't buying and walked up to Cerro Verde which the same bus had continued too. From there you join a guide to hike Izalco volcano as an alternative. its still $6 with guide but no bonus $3.50 private land passage. but you will not return to catch 1pm, rather the 4pm. you have to climb 350 meter hills twice and descend twice. unfortunately a huge group of around 200 college students showed up to do the same hike making it about an hour longer. was cloudy with little views, hardly worth the 11-12 hour day including travel. buses get you to the park too late to summit before the clouds take over. in sat and sun you can do sunrise accents. i recommend spending the night on the mountain camping or in a hotel or drive up super early in your own transportation. sunset could be good too. mid day ascents are mostly useless without views and crowded. and now on my return 430pm bus we are stuck for an hour behind an accident, maybe longer. never...

My review is based on the Santa Ana Hike.

This is a must do experience if you're willing to take on the challenge of hiking 2.5 hours going up and 1.5 hours going down (with a tour guide). We arrived at the Parque National Cerro Verde at 9:30am, got a guide assigned and joined a large group for the tour, leaving at 10am. With the tour there are a few points of the tour where you stop as a group- once to hear the guide give you an introduction, rules, and what to expect, and a second major stop to formally enter the Santa Ana Volcano trail which costs foreigners $6 each and requires each individual to show their bags (large like up to pass this point on our tour). Considering these stops we arrived at the peak of the volcanoes at 12:45pm, stayed up for half hour until 1:15pm, and by 2:45pm we're back at the bottom of the trail.

The elevation of the trailhead entrance where your bags are checked has an elevation of around 1,700 meters above sea level, and the peak of the volcano is about 2,300 meters above sea level. The hike up is 4km, and coming down is another 4km.

Be prepared, bring proper shoes, bring water, and dress appropriately to conditions. If you are way out of shape or have disabilities I might not recommend the Santa Ana volcano hike for you, however, there are other activities and things for everyone to enjoy...