Backpacking in El Salvador: Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano (2022)
Volcán de Santa Ana or Ilamatepec is the highest volcano in El Salvador at 2381m. It last erupted in 2005.
The Santa Ana Volcano El Salvador hike is one of the best and most popular hikes in the country.
The Santa Ana Volcano El Salvador hike is one of the best and most popular hikes in the country.
How to get to the start of the Santa Ana Volcano Hike from the Captain Morgan Hostel.
These are the logistics for hiking the Santa Ana Volcano when staying at the Captain Morgan Hostel.
Bus #242 comes right past the door at about 7.30 am. Be out there 10 minutes before. The bus is coming from the left. The fare to El Congo is 0.45 USD.
Bus #242 comes right past the door at about 7.30 am. Be out there 10 minutes before. The bus is coming from the left. The fare to El Congo is 0.45 USD.
You need to get out right before the San Salvador highway.
The Cerro Verde bus #248 which leaves Santa Ana at 7.40 am comes through El Congo at 8.30 am so you have time to get some pupusas at the many stalls right by where the bus stops.
The fare is 70 cents +/-.
The Cerro Verde bus #248 which leaves Santa Ana at 7.40 am comes through El Congo at 8.30 am so you have time to get some pupusas at the many stalls right by where the bus stops.
The fare is 70 cents +/-.
Ride the bus until El Tibet.
Don't rely on blog posts that are from 2018, rebranded without changing key points for 2022. The start point HAS changed! And the guides are keen to start at 10 am. Not 11 am!
Here you get your guide. The fee is 3 USD. Please don't think it's cool to go without. He will be the one rescuing you if you have an accident!
Don't rely on blog posts that are from 2018, rebranded without changing key points for 2022. The start point HAS changed! And the guides are keen to start at 10 am. Not 11 am!
Here you get your guide. The fee is 3 USD. Please don't think it's cool to go without. He will be the one rescuing you if you have an accident!
At around 10 am you set off down the road a bit until the Santa Ana Volcano Trailhead as per Google Maps.
After 15 minutes you reach the park entrance, 6 USD for foreigners.
After 15 minutes you reach the park entrance, 6 USD for foreigners.
Then you hike the trail. The park entrance is at 1830m, so you have a 500m climb. The trail length from El Tibet is 4km.
It's not that hard, considering it's a volcano. The trail is good but don't go in Tevas or flip flops, trail shoes are a good option.
There are a few lookouts.
It's not that hard, considering it's a volcano. The trail is good but don't go in Tevas or flip flops, trail shoes are a good option.
There are a few lookouts.
Looking to the left you have great views of Volcán de Izalco which is at 1950m and last erupted in 1966.
My group was very evenly matched with most of us arriving at the crater rim after 1 hour 40.
There are police patrolling the crater rim. Don't be alarmed, they are there as a precaution.
There may be a guy selling ice cream. Yes, I am not kidding. Even if the day was not scorching, he did good business.
There are police patrolling the crater rim. Don't be alarmed, they are there as a precaution.
There may be a guy selling ice cream. Yes, I am not kidding. Even if the day was not scorching, he did good business.
Coming down we all walked at our own pace.
It took just an hour.
Bus #248 goes past at 1 pm. The next scheduled bus isn't until 4 pm.
Me and a few others were down at around 1.20 pm. And after 10 minutes the delayed 1 pm comes past. Good for us, otherwise hitch in whatever stops. Plenty of locals are doing this.
I got off at El Congo with an Italian guy and we hitched to a restaurant with a view, for a locally priced lunch with beers.
Bus #248 goes past at 1 pm. The next scheduled bus isn't until 4 pm.
Me and a few others were down at around 1.20 pm. And after 10 minutes the delayed 1 pm comes past. Good for us, otherwise hitch in whatever stops. Plenty of locals are doing this.
I got off at El Congo with an Italian guy and we hitched to a restaurant with a view, for a locally priced lunch with beers.
Then I walked the final 3km home to the Captain Morgan Hostel.
Extra notes: After some questions on social media, I feel I should mention this. The buses mentioned are chicken buses. They don't accept Amex and you can't make a booking. Make sure you have a pocket full of coins.
Just as a reminder, you can see all of my posts from the wonderful country of El Salvador.
Extra notes: After some questions on social media, I feel I should mention this. The buses mentioned are chicken buses. They don't accept Amex and you can't make a booking. Make sure you have a pocket full of coins.
Just as a reminder, you can see all of my posts from the wonderful country of El Salvador.
