Santa Ana Volcano Hiking Guide in El Salvador 🌋️

To embark on a volcanic adventure in El Salvador, start at the "LA VENCEDORA" waiting and boarding area, where you catch bus number 248 to Parque Cerro Verde (see photo 2). Although it may not look like a typical bus station, the bus name is right in front of the building, and the security guard will warmly wave to foreigners. The bus departs at 7:40 AM, so there's no need to arrive too early. Purchase your ticket at the counter inside for $0.70, and the ride takes about 2 hours. Alight at Bosques del Tíbet and walk a short distance forward to the "torii gate" parking lot (see photo 4) for assembly. Hiking to the volcano crater must be done under the escort of a guide and the police. The guide fee is $4, and the volcano park admission is $6 (see photo 7). For your return journey, buses are available at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. If you take the 7:40 AM bus, the group will likely start the hike around 10:00 AM. Unless you're incredibly fast, you won't make it back in time for the 1:00 PM bus. It typically takes about 2 hours to hike up and a bit over 1 hour to hike back down. If you don't want to wait, start walking back in the direction you came from and hitchhike. Don't wait at the exit, as there are too many people, and everyone waving can intimidate drivers. It's easier to hitchhike alone. If you can, hitch a ride directly to Santa Ana. If not, get off at El Congo, as any bus going in this direction will pass through this town. From El Congo, flag down a chicken bus going to Santa Ana; the destination is written on the front of the bus (see photo 14), and the fare is $0.35. You can also choose to continue hitchhiking. Pay attention to the weather forecast; if it's cloudy, the summit will be foggy, and you won't be able to see much, as was my experience. #ElSalvador #SantaAna #santaana