Guide to El Boquerón: the crater of San Salvador’s sleeping giant

Just a short drive from El Salvador’s capital lies one of the country’s most accessible and scenic natural wonders. It is El Boquerón, the massive crater of the San Salvador Volcano. Surrounded by lush pine forests and cool mountain air, this destination offers a perfect escape from the city. Whether you’re into hiking, volcano views, or simply enjoying nature, El Boquerón National Park is a must-visit.

The San Salvador Volcano, also known as El Boquerón or Quezaltepeque (“hill of quetzals” in Nahuatl), is an iconic landmark. It dominates the skyline west of the capital, and 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.

According to geological research, the volcano lost 1000 meters in altitude due to volcanic eruptions that occurred 60.000 years ago. Currently, the prominence consists of two masses. El Picacho, the highest, at 1960 meters above sea level. The other one is the El Boquerón, at 1838 meters above sea level. It has the main crater, which is 1,5 kilometers wide. There are several other craters around these elevations.

The city of San Salvador is adjacent to the volcano. Though the volcano is considered dormant, it has the potential to destruct the capital. It last erupted in 1917, which dramatically altered the landscape by forming a secondary crater. This is known as El Boquerón.

On the morning of June 7, 1917, three earthquakes shook the city. After the third one, the lava buried extensive areas, swept away homes and caused terrible panic. Inside El Boquerón there was a lake of unknown origin. A week later, the water in the crater’s inner lagoon became very warm. And by the end of June, it had evaporated. After that, a cinder cone appeared, which is a small crater inside the crater. It was named “Boqueroncito” (little Boquerón). Finally, the eruptive process ended in the month of November.

In the autumn of 1982 an avalanche of mud slid from the Picacho, causing around 500 deaths and more than 150 houses destroyed in the nearby villages. Today, the volcano and its surroundings offer a peaceful haven for nature lovers.

In 2008 the Government of El Salvador established the El Boquerón National Park, which includes trails next to the crater summit. El Boquerón National Park is a protected area with great diversity of fauna and flora. It is perched at around 1,800 meters (5,900 ft) above sea level. Its centerpiece is the enormous crater, nearly 1.5 km wide and 558 meters deep.

The park is well-maintained now and easy to navigate. It makes it ideal to visit for families, solo travellers, or anyone looking for a short nature escape. The park features a visitors’ centre and short hiking trails up the side and along the rim of the crater.

The trails are marked and the area has three viewpoints. The lookout points offer breathtaking views into the massive crater at different angles. From there you can appreciate El Boqueroncito, a smaller crater in the crater. It is approximately 37 meters high. On the slopes, flowers and fruits of temperate climate are grown. The short and scenic trails wind through the pine forest, and makes perfect for a relaxed hike.

The entrance fee for foreigners is $2 USD. Children under 6 years old, as well as those over 60 years old are free to enter. The park is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

El Boquerón is about 40 minutes from the city center of San Salvador. A modern paved road, which is in good condition leads you into the park. If you visit by car, please note that the parking area is limited inside the park. Go as early as you can, if you want a parking spot inside the park, because usually a lot of people are visiting the park.

There are other parking lots near the park, locals will often guide you to these and show where you can park your car. These parking spaces are watched, but you will be charged a small fee for this service. Also, you can park on the sides of the access road that leads to the park, this is free of charge, but no-one will watch your vehicle there.

If you want to go by public transport, buses from San Salvador (e.g., bus 103) go toward the volcano area. But they may not drop you right at the entrance, so be prepared to walk a little bit. It takes about an hour to get from the city center to the volcano by public transport. Or you can get yourself an Uber for a couple of bucks.

Also, you have the option to reserve a spot on a complete tour. Many operators offer trips from San Salvador, and with this option, you can either combine El Boquerón with other nearby sights, as well.

Bring a light jacket, because the temperatures are noticeably cooler there than in the city. Go early if you can, mornings offer clearer views and fewer crowds. The park is not too big, but you can spend a couple of hours there.

Before I visited the park there was a heavy rain in the morning. Because of the rain, some parts of the park was closed, due to safety reasons. After a bit, that closed part was opened again. So, if you experience a similar case, you can visit the whole park if you wait it out.

You can grab a bite or drink coffee in the park. Besides, there are a few cozy restaurants on the way up, many with beautiful views. After the hike, you can combine your visit with a sightseeing in Santa Tecla, and have a lunch there.

Whether you’re spending a few days in San Salvador or just passing through, a visit to El Boquerón is an easy and rewarding adventure. With panoramic views, refreshing trails, and a unique look into the heart of a volcano, it offers one of the best natural experiences near the capital. Pair your visit with a local lunch at a nearby restaurant and soak in the cooler air and dramatic landscapes before heading back to the city.

There are several other volcanoes in the country or nearby you can visit. Are there any you hiked already?