National park · El Salvador
San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National ParkParque Nacional San Diego y San Felipe Las Barras
Enter the park for about US$1 by bus or $2–3 by car, hike the main 5 km (3.1 mi) volcano trail in the morning, and visit November–April for dry weather and fewer crowds.Enter the park for about US$1 by bus or $2–3 by car, hike the main 3.1 mi (5 km) volcano trail in the morning, and visit November–April for dry weather and fewer crowds.
- 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
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Mar–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
- 19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
- 1,902 ha reported (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park protects a 1,902 ha dry tropical forest with seven volcanoes, two lakes and over 125 bird species, making it the largest dry forest area in El Salvador and a key site for wildlife and archaeological heritage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²) · national park since 1995
1,902 ha reported (check).
Why go
- Large dry tropical forest with seven volcanoes and two lakes.
- Over 125 bird species, including aquatic birds on Lake Guija.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of rainy season.
- JunRain increases.
- JulRainy, humid.
- AugRainy, humid.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctRain eases.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endangered birds (e.g., turquoise‑browed motmot)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reptiles and amphibians in wet areasMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | 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 Santa Ana
Drive north on highway CA‑12 for 45 km (28 mi); turn onto access road to Azacualpa village.Drive north on highway CA‑12 for 28 mi (45 km); turn onto access road to Azacualpa village.
45 min
From Santa Ana
Hourly chicken bus (ruta 235, Transportes Silvia Emperatriz) to Metapan, ask to stop at park entrance.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Azacualpa lakeside area | Visitor centre, restaurants, trailheads to volcanoes and Lake Guija. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Volcano trail network | Series of marked paths to the seven volcanoes and viewpoints. | Guided hikes available; self‑guided on clear days. |
| Cave area | Bat‑inhabited caves near the lake. | Guided tours only. |
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 park centre near Azacualpa.
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 (by bus) | US$1 | person | Bus fare includes entry (check). |
| Park entry (by car) | US$2–3 | vehicle | Approximate toll/entry fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$1
- US$2–3
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for cave tours and long volcano treks.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use nearby villages.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills at restaurants.
Where to stay
Near the park
Azacualpa village
Small hotels and guesthouses a few minutes from the park entrance.
Near the park
Santa Ana
Broader range of hotels and hostels, 45 km (28 mi) away.Broader range of hotels and hostels, 28 mi (45 km) away.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Getting lost on volcanic trails 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
- Visitor centre reachable by car with short walks.
- Volcano trails are steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and village eateries.
- Do not feed wildlife or collect plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park?
Entry is about US$1 if you arrive by bus (the fare includes the ticket) or US$2–3 per vehicle if you drive yourself.
What are the best hikes in San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park?
The main volcano trail (3–4 h, moderate) offers flat, cleared paths across several volcanic peaks, and the lakeside walk around Lake Guija is an easy 1–2 h stroll.
When is the best time to visit San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park?
The dry season from November to April provides the most comfortable hiking conditions and fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed; stay in nearby villages such as Azacualpa or in Santa Ana.
Do I need a guide for the volcano trails?
Guides are required for the longer volcano treks and for any cave visits; short, marked sections can be done self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park
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