Santa Ana (Ilamatepec)
The country’s highest volcano, with a turquoise crater lagoon. The climb is done with a park guide.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- 2,381 m
- Moderate
- ≈ 4 h round trip
Land of volcanoes
Volcanoes & lakes
More than twenty volcanoes in a small country. Crater lagoons, perfect cones and lakes inside calderas.
A volcanic chain runs across El Salvador from west to east, shaping its landscape, its fertile soil and its coffee. These are the essentials.
Izalco
The “Lighthouse of the Pacific”: a young cone of loose rock with views to the sea.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- 1,950 m
- Challenging
- ≈ 5 h
San Salvador (El Boquerón)
A short trail to a crater about 5 km around, 40 minutes from the capital.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- 1,893 m
- Easy
- ≈ 1 h
San Miguel (Chaparrastique)
One of the country’s most active volcanoes. Ascent subject to conditions and permits.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- 2,130 m
- Challenging
- ≈ 6 h
Lake Coatepeque
A blue lake inside a volcanic caldera. Perfect for swimming, kayaking or a boat ride.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- Caldera
- Easy
- Half day
Lake Ilopango
The country’s largest lake, minutes from San Salvador.
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Time
- Caldera
- Easy
- Half day
Hike smarter
- Start early: clouds often cover the summits by mid-morning.
- Wear hiking shoes and bring a light layer; it’s cool at the top.
- Carry at least 2 litres of water per person.
- Some parks require a guided group: we arrange it for you.
Volcano tours and packages
Volcanoes
Volcanoes & lakes
Four days among craters and calderas: Santa Ana, Izalco, Coatepeque and Ilopango.
From $690 per person
Volcanoes
Santa Ana Volcano & Lake Coatepeque
Climb the country’s highest volcano, look into its turquoise crater lake and unwind by a lake set inside a caldera.
From $119 per person
Volcanoes
San Salvador Volcano: El Boquerón
Walk the rim of a crater 5 km around, 40 minutes from the capital, and finish with highland coffee.
From $49 per person
Volcanoes
Izalco Volcano ascent
The “Lighthouse of the Pacific”: a perfect cone of loose rock for fit hikers.
From $129 per person
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