National park · El Salvador
Los Volcanes National ParkParque Nacional Los Volcanes
Enter Los Volcanes National Park for $5 (USD) entry, hike Santa Ana or Cerro Verde early in the day; avoid rainy season May–Oct for clearer trails.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
45 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (45 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Apr, Nov–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- El Salvador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with El Salvador's migration authority or a Salvadoran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
- El Salvador ↗A state of exception has been in force since 2022, suspending some legal protections: carry your passport or a copy, cooperate at checkpoints and avoid photographing police, military or prisons.
- El Salvador ↗Carry US dollars in small notes; bitcoin acceptance has been voluntary since 2025 and few businesses take it.
- Western El Salvador ↗US dollars are the currency; small notes and coins help in villages and at markets.
- Western El Salvador ↗Santa Ana volcano access is with an official guide and police escort at set departure times; check the day before.
At a glance
- Country
- El Salvador
- Area
- 45 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (45 km²)
- Park covers about 4,500 ha (≈ 45 km²); figures may vary between sources (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Salvador
Los Volcanes National Park protects three active volcanoes—Santa Ana, Cerro Verde and Izalco—along with cloud forests that host many migrating birds; it offers hikes ranging from easy viewpoints to a challenging summit trek.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
45 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (45 km²) · national park since 1995
Park covers about 4,500 ha (≈ 45 km²); figures may vary between sources (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Salvador.
Why go
- Three active volcanoes (Santa Ana, Cerro Verde, Izalco) in one protected area.
- Lush cloud forests and birdwatching opportunities.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool
- FebDry, cool
- MarTransition, mild
- AprDry, pleasant
- MayStart of rains
- JunRainy, trails slippery
- JulRainy, possible storms
- AugRainy, storms
- SepRainy, occasional dry spells
- OctRainy, cooling
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migrating birds (emerald toucanets, hummingbirds)Mar–Oct · Best early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Salvador
Drive 68 km (42 mi) via highway CA‑8 to Armenia, then follow park access road; about 1 h 15 min.Drive 42 mi (68 km) via highway CA‑8 to Armenia, then follow park access road; about 1 h 15 min.
1.2–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Sonsonate
Chicken bus route 205 to Armenia, then taxi to park entrance.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cerro Verde area | Main visitor centre, short forest trails, viewpoint to Santa Ana. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Santa Ana volcano | Highest peak, crater lake, steep hike. | Guided or self‑guided from Cerro Verde road. |
| Izalco volcano | Active cone, historic lava flows, short summit walk. | Open, easy trail from road. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central park location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for short trails but recommended for Santa Ana summit.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use nearby towns.
- Fires
- Prohibited; carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Armenia town
Budget hotels and guesthouses 10 km (6.2 mi) from park gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses 6.2 mi (10 km) from park gate.
Near the park
Santa Ana city
Mid‑range hotels and hostels 15 km (9.3 mi) from Santa Ana trailhead.Mid‑range hotels and hostels 9.3 mi (15 km) from Santa Ana trailhead.
Safety
Steep terrain on Santa Ana medium
Rainy season landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Cerro Verde viewpoint reachable by car with short walk.
- Santa Ana summit not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local guesthouses to support community.
- Do not collect firewood; use designated waste bins.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Los Volcanes National Park?
The entry fee is $5 USD per person (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Los Volcanes National Park?
Santa Ana summit (hard, 4–5 h), Cerro Verde viewpoint (easy, 1–2 h) and Izalco crater walk (moderate, 1–1.5 h).
When is the best time to visit Los Volcanes National Park?
Dry months December to April offer clear trails; the rainy season May–October can make paths slippery.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is recommended for the Santa Ana summit but not required for Cerro Verde or Izalco short walks.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Armenia or Santa Ana.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Los Volcanes National Park
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