Volcan Santa Ana (or Santa Ana Volcano) is the highest elevation in El Salvador, with an altitude of 2,381 meters (7,812 feet). Found just outside the city, this volcano is in the department of the same name, Santa Ana, in northern El Salvador. Just 43 kilometers (26.7 miles) from the downtown area, this large stratovolcano is the home of a picturesque sulfuric acid lake. The lake is safely tucked away in the depths of the crater and is the attraction many tourists have come to see. Not to mention, the panoramic views of the nearby Lago Coatepeque (Lake Coatepeque).
There are a few small risks, but most of which get circumvented by the placement of tourist police and hiking guides. According to El Salvador law, it is required to have a guide for the hike. Guides are available for a small fee, during my visit in March, it cost $3 USD per person. In total, the hike takes about 2.5 hours up and one hour down during the busiest day of the year.
The hike of the Santa Ana Volcano is one that gets super crowded during the weekends, but especially during Semana Santa (or Holy Week/Easter). The Semana Santa weekend is by far the busiest time of the year. If possible, avoid this weekend at any cost. I took a picture from directly below the summit, to show the line of people twisting and turning along the path.
Getting There:
There are a few choices for getting here, car rental, Uber/taxi, or bus. A car rental will be the easiest, most straightforward, and lavish option. Taking an Uber or taxi is the next in line for the budget. However, still relatively expensive. You can save a few bucks by taking the Uber over a taxi. My group split an Uber for $15 between four people. This allowed us to get dropped off directly at the trailhead. We got a late start and wanted to make sure that we arrived at the trailhead in time to begin the hike. We ended up having a little extra time to explore Cerro Verde, plus splitting the $15 made this extremely accessible.
Going by bus will be the most cost-effective route, but also the most time consuming. Take bus #248 from the La Vencedora Bus Terminal on the corner of 11a Calle Poniente and Avenida Fray Felipe Jesus, for only $.90 per person. The downfall is, to make the hike on time, you’ll need to catch the 730 am departure, which probably won’t leave until close to 745.
It’s still a good idea to show up to the terminal around 720 am just in case the bus is on time. Get off at the Tibet stop, just before the Cerro Verde National Park. If you’re not sure on where to disembark, then ask the driver. They’re almost always happy to help a tourist arrive at the proper location!
Depending on the time of arrival there is an option to explore Cerro Verde National Park before the hike. There isn’t much to see but still fun to explore. Plus, there are a plethora of street food vendors here as well. The entrance fee is $3 and supports the protection and cleaning of the park. The walking paths are quiet and quaint, while providing excellent views of the other two volcanoes, Santa Ana and Izalco.
Climbing the Trail:
The Santa Ana trail is relatively easy and rated as moderate on Alltrails. Hikers begin by walking along a paved road which leads to a section of private property, where each person needs to pay $.50 to cross. The trail funnels directly to the National Park entrance, where it is necessary to pay a $6 per person entry fee. The National Park entrance marks the beginning of the most intense sections of the hike.
The first half of the trail is in the cover of the rainforest and the second half is completely exposed. I found the trail to be one of the easier hikes I’ve done to summit a mountain. The trail twists and turns with little grade, eventually reaching the summit. In total, there are about three kilometers (1.9miles) of incline.
The grade includes a few small sections of tall rocks that need to be stepped over. These steep sections are relatively short and each one leads to a flatter area. The views above tree line are spectacular. This unimpeded view stretches as far as the eye can see. It dips in the valley’s while stretching out to the surrounding volcanoes. On a clear day, it is possible to see both coasts and all 23 of El Salvador’s volcanoes. The panoramic view highlights both Lago de Coatepeque (Lake Coatepeque) and the city of Santa Ana.
Associated Risks?
There are few risks associated with this climb. It should be noted that the volcano is an active volcano, meaning it could erupt at any time. It’s happened twice during the previous 118 years, so it’s not incredibly likely. The most recent event occurred in 2005, killing several people. The eruption spewed rocks the size of cars for more than 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles). The only other recorded eruption happened just over 100 years before, in 1904.
The other risks are more straightforward. The first is being on the side of a mountain, kilometers from the nearest medical center or station. While the other major risk is theft. There were a few violent robberies before the placement of tourist police. These robberies haven’t been an issue since. The officers are positioned about halfway up and next to the summit providing extra protection.
What to Bring:
Everyone should bring at least one liter of water per person. Also, don’t forget bug spray, sunscreen, and snacks. The volcano is well known for being frequently struck by lightning. For this reason, it is recommended to check the weather the day before and morning of departure. It’s also recommended to bring a rain jacket, if desired. The last things I’d recommend is a hat to help protect from the intense sun and a backpack to hold everything you want to bring.
Hiking Volcan Santa Ana is an incredibly rewarding experience. One that should not be missed by any traveler visiting El Salvador or the Santa Ana region. It is one of my favorite highlights from Central America. Even with having been the busiest time of year. This is the perfect experience for both backpackers and families alike. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy feeling like they are on top of the world?
Quick Notes:
- Cerro Verde National Park Entrance Fee: $3 per person
- Hiking Guide Fee: $3 per person
- Crossing the Private Property Fee: $.50 per person
- Santa Ana National Park Entrance Fee: $6 per person
- Bus #248: $.90 per person
- Uber for four from downtown Santa Ana: $15
- Hiking time, roundtrip top to bottom, takes around 3-5 hours depending on pace.
