NOMADIC BACKPACKER
  • HOME
  • INDEX
  • About
  • ATM Fees
  • Featured
    • Kurdistan
    • Mexico City
    • Northern Cyprus
    • Tunisia
  • Favourite Countries
  • CONTACT

El Boquerón - Hiking in El Salvador

Posted: February 6, 2022

​Overlooking the rocking city of San Salvador, to the west, the El Boquerón Volcán dominates the skyline.

​And it makes a great day trip from the capital!
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
I had wanted to go to the Puerta del Diablo (Devil’s Gate), but it was closed (2022). Such a Shame!
​Fun Fact: El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and is home to 170 volcanoes, with more than a dozen of which are active.
The El Boquerón Volcán, also known as the San Salvador Volcano or Quetzaltepec, last erupted in 1917 when the Boqueroncito cinder cone was formed.

It is easy to get to and is located in the Parque Nacional El Boquerón. The hike can be done in just half a day, if you are rushed, but slow-moving backpackers like me can just savour the moment.

So in my latest blog post, I show you how to get there, as always using local transport and giving you all the latest, as things are prone to changes and blog sites these days are full of stuff copied from when life was different. And of course, following the ethos of my blog, I don't blog about places I have not been to.

If you are sensible, you are based somewhere in one of the few hostels here in San Salvador, in the western part of town.

I am at the Cumbres del Volcán Flor Blanca, run by a guy from California. It's a great hostel to base yourself in.
Cumbres del Volcán Flor Blanca
​​Bus #101-B runs on the northern side of the nearby Parque Cuscatlán, on Calle Almada Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Catch it at the eastern end of the park, on the corner of 25 Avenida Sur:

This will take you to Santa Tecla, an upmarket suburb, 30 to 40 minutes away. Traffic is slow.
Bus 101 B San Salvador to Santa Tecla
​​Alight at the San Martín Park, on 2a Calle Oriente, then walk 3 blocks north on the western side of the park on 3a Avenida Sur, then 1 block west on 3a Calle Oriente, and right there on the northwest corner of 1a Avenida Norte, you will find the pickups that will take you to El Boquerón.

A ride to the park entrance (point A on the map at the end of this post) will cost you 1.50 USD or for 1 USD you can get off earlier (point B on the map at the end of this point) and walk the last bit, 750m (pickup shown here).
Pickup to El Boqueron
​Pay your dues, 2 USD, as a foreigner to enter the Parque Nacional El Boquerón. This is not a serious hike by any stretch of the imagination. A network of easy-to-follow trails brings you to the crater rim at viewpoints.
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
Volcan El Boqueron Hike El Salvador
​The view from the El Boquerón crater with the Boqueroncito cinder cone visible at the bottom:
Volcan el boqueron
Volcan el Boqueron
Trails down into the crater remain closed:
Boquerón crater with the Boqueroncito cinder cone
​After the 'hike', enjoy a good feed at the Altos del Pinar:
Altos del pinar restaurant El Boqueron
​Coming back, me my roomie and, walked back to the main road (point C on the map below) and caught the #103-B, which runs into Santa Tecla from San Juan for 20 cents.
Bus 103 B Santa Tecla
​The #103-B stops near the corner where you caught the pick-up. Then, walk across town to the 4a Calle Oriente, 1 block south of where you arrived, to retrace your steps on the #101-B back to town.

Screenshot of MAPS ME where I have indicated the stops, A, B, and C, referred to above:
Picture
Previous Post: ​​​​Nomadic Backpacker QR Code
Next Post: Nomadic Backpacker T-Shirts from Kora Producción

Related Posts:


Support me on Ko Fi Coffee button
Donate via PayPal button

​
NOMADIC BACKPACKER
​©2025
  • HOME
  • INDEX
  • About
  • ATM Fees
  • Featured
    • Kurdistan
    • Mexico City
    • Northern Cyprus
    • Tunisia
  • Favourite Countries
  • CONTACT