Backpacking in El Salvador: Hiking the Volcan El Boqueron
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!
And it makes a great day trip from the capital!
Fun Fact: El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and is home to 170 volcanos with more than a dozen 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 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.
It is easy to get to and 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.
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.
This will take you to Santa Tecla, an upmarket suburb, 30 to 40 minutes away. Traffic is slow.
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).
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).
Pay your dues, 2 USD as a foreigner. 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.
The view from The Boquerón crater with the Boqueroncito cinder cone visible at the bottom.
Trails down into the crater remain closed.
After the 'hike', enjoy a good feed at the Altos del Pinar.
Coming back, me and my roomie, 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.
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 when you arrived to retrace your steps on the #101-B back to town.
Screenshot of MAPS ME where I have indicated the stops, points A, B and C referred to above:
Screenshot of MAPS ME where I have indicated the stops, points A, B and C referred to above:
