National park · El Salvador
Montecristo National ParkParque Nacional Montecristo
Enter Montecristo National Park in the morning: hike the 4‑5 h round‑trip to the Trifinio summit (guide optional); entry fee around US$2 (check); best in dry season (Dec‑Apr).
- 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
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- Approx. 2,000 ha (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Montecristo National Park, El Salvador's first protected area, offers misty cloud‑forest trails, a summit where three countries meet, and dark skies for stargazing; enter in the morning, hike the 4‑5 h round‑trip to the Trifinio point (guide optional) for about US$2 entry plus optional guide fee, and visit in the dry season (Dec‑Apr) for best conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2011Part of Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1987
Approx. 2,000 ha (check).
Why go
- Large cloud‑forest area with high bird diversity.
- Summit trail reaches the Trifinio point where three countries meet.
- Opportunity for night‑sky stargazing away from city lights.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear trails
- FebDry, cool mornings
- MarDry, warming
- AprEnd of dry season, still good
- MayRain begins, roads may worsen
- JunWet, muddy trails
- JulWet, road washout risk
- AugWet, limited access possible
- SepWet, road conditions poor
- OctTransition month, still wet
- NovDrying, improving trails
- DecDry season starts, best hiking
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large cats (puma, jaguar)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys and peccariesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 250+ bird speciesMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Santa Ana
Route 239 chicken bus to Metapán (1 h, under US$2), then taxi 10 km (6.2 mi) to park gate.Route 239 chicken bus to Metapán (1 h, under US$2), then taxi 6.2 mi (10 km) to park gate.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From San Salvador
Bus or car to Santa Ana (1.5 h), then as above; or drive directly via CA‑12 and RN‑5 (2.5 h).
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Metapán
Taxi or 4WD to park gate (10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of town).Taxi or 4WD to park gate (6.2 mi (10 km) northwest of town).
20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance and visitor area | Gate, parking, short trails and the Garden of 100 Years orchid collection. | Open with entry ticket; morning only. |
| Trifinio summit trail | Main hiking route to the three‑country obelisk; 4–5 h round‑trip. | Open; guide recommended but not required. |
| Birdwatching loops | Shorter forest trails near the entrance, good for birding. | Open. |
| Camping zone | Designated campsites near the trailhead. | Open; fire prohibited. |
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; park gate location derived from Wikidata.
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 (morning only) | US$2 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided summit trek no permit
Park rules
- Entry time
- Visitors may only enter the park in the morning; late arrivals are denied.check
- Guides
- Recommended for summit hike but not mandatory.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated sites; fire prohibited.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Metapán hotels
Basic rooms and modest inns about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the gate.Basic rooms and modest inns about 6.2 mi (10 km) from the gate.
In the park
Park camping
Designated campsites; bring own gear.
Safety
Road conditions high
Steep trails medium
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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks to trailhead.
- Summit trail steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in Metapán or camp; support local guides.
- Carry out all litter; avoid fire.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Montecristo National Park?
Entry is about US$2 per person in the morning; a local guide for the summit costs roughly US$15–30 per group (check).
What are the best hikes in Montecristo National Park?
The main round‑trip to the Trifinio summit (4–5 h) is the highlight; shorter birdwatching loops of 2–3 h are also popular.
When is the best time to visit Montecristo National Park?
Dry season December to April offers clear trails and excellent stargazing; the park is open for morning entry only.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at designated sites near the trailhead; fire is prohibited.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
A 4WD is strongly recommended, especially in the rainy season, because the road to the gate can be steep and washed out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Montecristo National Park
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