A guide to Cerro Verde National Park in El Salvador

Cerro Verde National Park in El Salvador is a peaceful escape into misty cloud forests, panoramic volcanic views, and vibrant biodiversity. It is tucked high in the mountains on the west of the country. Many travellers come here for the Santa Ana hike, but this park is a destination in its own right. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll through nature or a peaceful spot to admire El Salvador’s iconic volcanoes, this national park promises a relaxing and scenic experience.

Cerro Verde National Park sits within the Cordillera Apaneca mountain range. It forms part of the larger Los Volcanes National Park. The Los Volcanes National Park is a protected natural area in El Salvador, and contains three volcanoes. The neighbouring Izalco Volcano (the “Lighthouse of the Pacific”), Santa Ana Volcano, the highest volcano in El Salvador and Cerro Verde Volcano.

Cerro Verde is an extinct volcano, and it is 2030 meters tall. The crater of the volcano is eroded and covered by a thick cloud forest. Cerro Verde volcano is formed approximately 1.5 million years ago. Besides, its last eruption was around 25 thousand years ago BC. This volcano is a stratovolcano. It means that it is built up by many alternating layers of lava and tephra (fragmental material produced by a volcanic eruption). These layers are usually mixed and uneven. Some of these types of volcanoes have collapsed summit craters called calderas and have conical shapes.

In Cerro Verde National Park you can find lush forest trails with diverse species of trees and plants. Therefore, it provides cooler and pleasant temperatures. The flora is exuberant and always green due to the high humidity, resulting from the constant mist and the frequent rains. The vibes are very relaxing, you can wind down after the Santa Ana hike. You can wander around the park by yourself.

While Cerro Verde Volcano itself is dormant, the national park surrounding it offers easy nature trails and breathtaking viewpoints overlooking Santa Ana Volcano, Izalco Volcano, and Lake Coatepeque. So, what are the things you can do?:

• Explore the easy walking trails: take a leisurely walk, there are a few short, easy trails through the park’s forests.
• Enjoy the scenic viewpoints: enjoy panoramic views of the volcanoes of Izalco and Santa Ana.
• Bird and nature watching: Cerro Verde is a prime space for spotting of colourful and rare bird species and wildlife.
• Visit the historic lodge and picnic areas: there are designated areas if you want to just relax and consume your own food.
• Local cafés and food stalls: enjoy a local snack from the nearby vendors or eat with a scenic view in Los Volcanes Bistro Café.

You can easily wander through the park after the Santa Ana hike. We spent around 2 hours here, and it was enough. There are playgrounds for kids, of course we had to play a little, too. There are ladders next to some of the trees, so we climbed them, also for better views.

You can wander in the park on your own, but if you want to visit the crater of Cerro Verde volcano, you can only do it through a guided tour. Unfortunately, we missed the guided tour to the crater. Keep in mind, if you want to hike to the summit, the last guided tour starts at 4 PM. Ask about the tour at the entrance booth.

Your best option is to rent a car, you are mobile enough, while the public transport services are not very frequent. The drive from San Salvador to Cerro Verde takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Costs and entrance fees are: parking fee is $2–$3 USD, if you arrive by car. And Cerro Verde National Park Entrance Fee is $3 USD per person. Opening hours are typically from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

It is better to arrive earlier, to avoid the crowd and for clearer skies, mornings are often clearer before the mist rolls in.

Dress in layers, it can be cooler here in the forest. Bring a jacket, especially if you visit in the rainy season, between May and November.

Bring enough water and some snacks. Food options can be limited, especially later in the day, the food stalls will already be closed.

You can combine Cerro Verde volcano with the Santa Ana or the Izalco volcano hikes. So, you can easily make a full day trip.

Cerro Verde National Park provides a peaceful retreat with cool breezes, lush greenery, and incredible vistas of the surrounding volcanoes. With the towering Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes in the distance and quiet forest paths at your feet, the park is a perfect addition to your travel itinerary. Especially if you’re already heading this way for a hike. This national park deserves a spot on your itinerary. Don’t miss out on the cool mountain air, the lush greenery, and the unforgettable views!