El Boqueron National Park

El Boqueron National Park is in central El Salvador, just outside the capital city of San Salvador. The park's primary attraction is the San Salvador Volcano.

Understand

The San Salvador Volcano is an active stratovolcano. It is known locally by several names including Quezaltepeque and El Boqueron (Big Mouth, referring specifically to the enormous crater, which was formed by an eruption about 800 years ago. The volcano has a number of fissures that have occasionally been the source of eruptions and lava flows, one in the 17th century buried the nearby town of Nexapa. The most recent eruption, in 1917, occurred on a flank fissure, it evaporated the crater lake and formed a cinder cone called Boqueroncito inside the main caldera. Because of its proximity to El Salvador's largest population centers, the volcano is regarded as a decade volcano that could have catastrophic consequences in future eruptions.

The volcano is part of a larger mountain called El Picacho. The volcano has an elevation of 1,893 meters. This is El Salvador's most visited national park.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Naturalists come to the park because it is one of the closest protected areas to the capital and a variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals live in the lush forests on the mountainous slopes, and even inside the volcano's crater, which is not the barren rock found in many volcanoes, but is covered in fairly dense foliage. A number of ornamental flowers, such as begonias, grow naturally in the park.

Climate

Get in

The park is on the northwest side of San Salvador and the towering San Salvador volcano is visible from almost any point in the cities of San Salvador or Santa Tecla. The easiest way to get in is by car, and any Uber driver or taxi can take you there. From most downtown areas, you'll follow Lib 10N (Calle al Volcan) to Lib 33W (Calle al Parque Nacional El Boqueron). From downtown San Salvador, it's about 17 km and will take about 30-40 minutes.

Fees and permits

Park hours: 08:00 - 17:00

Fees: US$2 for foreign visitors, US$1 for Salvadorans (free for children under age 6 or seniors over age 60)

Get around

A modern paved road leads into the park. The parking area is insufficient so many visitors park on the sides of the park access road. Locals will often guide you to parking spots and offer to watch your car while you hike. Naturally a fee will be charged for this service.

Within the park, hiking is the only way to get around. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Trails are generally in excellent condition.

See

an enormous crater, known as El Boqueron, 5 km in diameter and 558 meters deep. The crater once had a lake that was popular for swimming and boating, but the lake evaporated during a 1917 eruption, leaving behind a small cinder cone.

the park's Visitor Center is small but very modern with interesting exhibits about the local history and the geology behind volcanoes

the Glass Pavilion at the crater Mirador is a great place to get some cool views into the crater without hiking the trail that goes down to the bottom (it's also a good place to feel vertigo)

Do

Hike: Several well marked, improved hiking trails provide access to various points of interest. The Sendero Principal (Main Trail) is a beautifully rustic trail that takes you up to the top of the volcano (it is about a half-hour hike). Another trail goes around the crater rim. There is also a trail from the rim to the bottom of the crater.

Buy

Eat

Numerous restaurants and food vendors can be found on the road leading to the park.

Drink

Bring a reusable water bottle. There are water sources in the park, but most travelers prefer bringing their own.

Sleep

The park is close to the cities of San Salvador and Santa Tecla. Most visitors will stay in those cities where a wide range of lodging options are available.

Backcountry camping

Camping is permitted in the park (inquire at the visitor center for permits and fees). A popular place for backpackers to camp is at the bottom of the main crater, next to the small cinder cone (El Boquerito).

Stay safe

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