Santa Ana Volcano

"Hiking Santa Ana Volcano, also known as Ilamatepec, is a thrilling adventure in El Salvador. This active volcano is the highest peak in the country and offers stunning panoramic views from its summit. To hike Santa Ana Volcano, it is recommended to join a guided tour from Santa Ana which will cover your transportation but be more expensive. Or to save money, you can take the public bus there and hire a local guide on arrival. In order to do the hike via public transit and without a guide you MUST catch the bus 248 from La Vencedora Bus Station on the corner of 11a Calle Poniente and Avendida Fray Felipe Jesus. It leaves at 7:30 am in order to do the Santa Ana Volcano Hike, so arrive ten minutes early to buy your ticket from the booth. The bus will take about 2 hours and offers some stunning views along the way. You get off in a town called Tibet which is before the park entrance to Cerro Verde National Park. The bus driver will let you know when to get off so don’t stress. Once you arrive, you must pay the entrance fee (about $3) to the guides. You cannot do the hike unguided, and you wouldn’t want to anyway as it is unsafe due to robberies. You need to be with your guide at 10am to start the hike. Part of the way through, you have to pay an additional fee to enter the volcano portion of the park ($6ish). The hike typically takes around 3-4 hours, and it is important to start early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Be prepared with comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. As you ascend, you'll pass through scenic landscapes, including forests and volcanic ash fields. The highlight of the hike is reaching the summit, where you can witness the magnificent crater and the emerald-green lake within. It's important to follow your guide's instructions, stay on the designated trail, and respect the rules and regulations of the park. Don't miss grabbing some pupusas from the vendors while you wait to start the hike! "

"Es el volcán más alto de El Salvador, con una altitud de aproximadamente 2,381 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Es un destino popular para excursionistas y amantes de la naturaleza debido a su impresionante cráter. Es recomendable visitarlo durante la estación seca, de noviembre a abril, para disfrutar de condiciones climáticas más favorables y vistas despejadas."